Tower of Strength and GIVEAWAY!!!

Most of you already probably KNOW Annette Lyon...she runs around in my same crowd...or THIS crowd...or you might know her from her INCREDIBLE writing talent because she is a published LDS author, just check THIS out and THIS out and MORE!

And she is my FRIEND...blog friend right now, but I fully expect to meet her in Real life also...so I consider her one of my close friends.  I say that mainly because she has this quirky fascination with words (I love how she corrects Mormon missteps, for those of you that don't understand how we SAY things )and grammar, and although I SUCK at grammar, I LOVE words and the dictionary and everything nerdy to go along with that!

Annette gave me the honor of reading her new book that just came out and are in stores now entitled, "Tower of Strength" and giving my honest opinion and review about it!  Then she made the mistake of putting me on her BLOG tour...I'm humbled, but I honestly DON'T FEEL WORTHY!

Here is a video done of the book that has Sher THE Love playing her piano arrangement of "Come Thou Font" in the background...but I love it because it got me really excited to read the book. 

But I have always dreamed of being a BOOK critique if you must know!  So I really am glad that Annette let me preview the book before release so that I might be able to be a part of her FUN blog tour! 

Here is a run down of how a professional might write what the book is about straight from Deseret Book's website so go read it there...

because I'm far from a professional and you're here to hear what I have to say...not some professional right?  

But if I confuse you and cause you distress because I'm NOT a professional...then you can click on that link and get the REAL low down or summary of the book!  K!

I'm going to be honest...that summary is pretty good and sums up nicely what you will get from the book...

But I'm still going to tell you a little of what I got out of it...because when I read a book I get wrapped entirely in it! Which is why, since I was a young girl, reading books has been the one thing in life that has been consistent. It's what I do when I'm happy, sad, or angry! It's my escape!

And before blogging, it was my ONLY escape!

I still read at least three to four books a week...ranging from romance to self-help...

SO you get it right? I LOVE to read.

And Annette's book is about two people, Tabitha and Samuel, who you immediately fall in love with because they are so easily relatable. They are at different points in grieving their loved spouses...but they BOTH rely heavily on their faith in the Gospel as they continue on and find something in EACH other that they need and want.

Tabitha is a single MOM...trying to make it in a time when women didn't have a lot of choices to support themselves, yet Annette finds a way for Tabitha to support herself, although she does have to overcome some challenges along the way, you understand her strength and need as a woman and you can easily see yourself in Tabitha.

I don't want to give too much away, but I LOVE this part and it shows the strength in Annette's writing because I latched on to this paragraph it made me feel something, I just loved it, she writes:

"Life wasn't safe. It wasn't peaceful or predictable or any such nonsense. She had had to be on guard, ready to withstand whatever blows the world had to offer. Allowing herself to feel secure would only erode those walls she had built up to protect herself.
But now...now she wanted those walls to crumble. not entirely--just a chink here and there."

K-I don't want to give away what this leads to...but I totally related to Tabitha's train of thought, her sorrow, her happiness, her as a mother.

Samuel is from London...need I say more? You guys KNOW how I feel about that accent? lol! But his character is everything charming and gentlemanly, in my mind the accent helps all of that, but it was nice to delve into his character...he's not a VAMPIRE, but he has the OLD WORLD charm about him that makes him desirable all the same in my mind.

Her last chapter of the book is Brilliant because if you aren't LDS or even if you are, she explains the history of some of the places she talks about in the book...great added stories and insights.

So to sum it up...it's an EXCELLENT and intriguing book.  It's got a little of everything in it..but MY favorite part is the romance! :)

Here is a little bit about Annette, even when she writes about herself she adds humor, which is why I liked her from the beginning:

Annette Lyon, Utah’s 2007 Best of State medalist for fiction, has been 

writing for most of her life. While she’s found success in freelance 

magazine work and editing, her true passion is fiction. In 1995, she 

graduated cum laude from BYU with a BA in English. Her university 

focus on 19th-century literature proved beneficial years later while 

writing historical temple novels. Her fifth novel, Spires of Stone, was a 

2007 Whitney Award finalist. 

When she’s not writing, Annette enjoys spending time with her 

husband and their four children. She also loves reading, knitting, and 

chocolate—not necessarily in that order. 

Readers may contact her via her website, www.annettelyon.com.

Not only is she a fabulous writer and BLOG friend, she is also allowing me to give ONE OF YOU a FREE copy of this book!!!

***All I'm asking you to do is comment about one thing...how can she include ME in her next NOVEL?

Honestly...I was thinking she needs to write me up as a raving beauty where every man wants me and I'm totally popular yet humble and sweet and my life is full of adventure and riches...yet I'm still humble, and did I mention POPULAR?

Okay...

I'll randomly choose who gets the book and Giveaway ends tomorrow morning around 9:00am MST.

Love,

Shelle

A watered-down Punky Brewster!

My daughter is a little watered-down version of Punky Brewster. She dresses herself...and almost always picks out something bright and colorful.

She loves mixing stripes with polka dots.

So when it's time to get dressed for Pre-School...it's a battle to see who gets to win the dressing game.

I'm always telling her..."PeePs that doesn't match" or "Honey, you can wear THAT shirt when you get home...but you have to wear this one to school!"

I know I am probably hurting her creativity or repressing her inner child...but I can't help it!

Some outfits, I'll admit, are darling that she puts together. She almost ALWAYS picks a skirt or dress...and then some tights that are either polka dot or striped...it's usually the shirt we disagree on!!! This day...I made her wear a plain long sleeved green shirt...but she picked out the rest!



I asked if she would let me take her picture..."I have to take them on the tramp Mom or they won't work."





I'm sorry...as much as I TRIED to leave these shots AS they were shot from the CAMERA...I caved and edited this one...please don't think I'm being Photo Shop snobbish!

The only problem after she agrees to wear my solid shirts...is she WON'T let me put her hair up in some crazy messy buns or something cute like that.

She is JUST as stickler with her hair...she LOVES to wear it down or in a side pony or a pony tail with a braid!!!

She doesn't understand that with her funky sense of style the cute messy MICKEY MOUSE ear buns would be perfect...

AAAHHH Well...I guess I'll choose my battle's!

Is there a way to TRICK your kids into liking something they absolutely BELIEVE they don't like...like with PeeP's hair? I KNOW she would look so CUTE with those messy buns...but have YET to convince her of that...Any Tips?

Now go look at the other fun entries over at Candid Carrie's!

Love,

Shelle

The LONG boring Picture Post!

I want to apologize to all my SMART math friends for not giving a shout out yesterday to SQUARE ROOT DAY!!! 03-03-09 The square root of nine is 3...(That is assuming I have smart math friends)

How totally insensitive of me!

It only happens 9 times EVERY century...and I don't even acknowledge it...instead I whine about NOT wanting to be a WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER...I'm surprised you are still my friends...really I am.

The next one won't be until April 4, 2016...i might not even be BLOGGING by then...and if I AM blogging still...I'll be WAY to famous to remember something like that! ya know?

_______________________________________________
Now for the awaited BIRTHDAY trip in LA!

First of all...my HUSBAND stepped up to the plate. I woke up the morning of my birthday for my early morning pee and thought I was being attacked because he had placed a bouquet of balloons outside our door with a card attached to it!!!

Then I walk outside to go to the airport and look at what he did for me as he puts it, "freezing his butt off at midnight"



I didn't believe it was him at first because it was done TOO pretty!!! lol!



He also sent me a steamy text while we were in LA...but that stuff shall remain private!!! But I missed him terribly after that! :)

Let's do this trip picture style...

Well, to be honest...I only got half the trip...my Mom got all the fill in the blanks...but since she only empties her camera once ever 6 months, I'm not getting those any time soon!

I STILL think the best part of the trip was when we were driving to our hotel. My lil sis was navigating and told me before I hit the freeway exit to TURN RIGHT off the exit. So I told that to myself three times and drove along our happily merry way.

I see the exit...Shelle gets off the exit...lil' sis screams, "LEFT Shelle I said TURN LEFT!"

Me: "I thought you said RIGHT!

Lil' Sis: "NO! I said LEFT!"

So I veered to the left and got onto the main street. We stop at the first stop light there and I look to my right and I see the TRAVELODGE that I was going to book us at. So I point over that direction and say, "Hey that is where I was going to book us at before Mom took over HOTEL detail!"

My Mom: "Trashy Shelle! Glad we aren't staying there!"

Me: my pride and sensibility was a little pricked and I said, "But there is a Denny's you could eat breakfast at and everything! Plus Mom, you COME from trailer trash...what the heck are you complaining about" we all laugh.

My Mom: "Well I'm glad we aren't staying there!

I continue to drive down the street. We pass, THE WESTIN, THE MARRIOTT, La Quinta INN and SUITES...so on and so forth. I suddenly realize we are almost to the airport again...so I say...someone CHECK the numbers.

We realize we are going the wrong way!!!

So we turn around...

Me: "You meant RIGHT...huh lil sis?" We laugh.

We pass the "TRASHY" Travel Lodge toward our hotel, which was the RAMADA. All of a sudden my older sis says, "LOCK THE DOORS!"

I actually LOOK at where I'm driving and there is BARS on the windows and "different" sort of people making their homes on curbs.

Older Sis: "MOM! We are NOT staying in this part of town!"

Mom: "It will be fine...don't worry!"

Older Sis: "Shelle did you lock the doors?" half laughing.

Lil Sis: "Mom! Are you SERIOUS?!" laughing out loud.

We finally spy our hotel...The paint that says, "RAMADA PLAZA INN" is chipping off and lets just say the "Trashy" Travel Lodge was a step up.

While pulling into the parking lot I'm laughing so hard I can't breathe...I would have died happy because it was the funniest thing since I don't remember when...and I did hit the sidewalk think in the parking garage because I couldn't see through my tears.

My older sister made me call right there in the parking garage while looking at the receptionist and CANCEL our hotel!

We ended up at the Marriott for $40.00 more...but well worth the money! Believe me!

But that started the great short trip we had.

We decided, by recommendation of the concierge, so rich...to drive to Santa Monica BLVD (Thank you Sheryl Crow) and shop Third Street Promenade...

First of all...we ALL love to get our pictures taken...has soon as my camera was poised to snap, my sisters and Mom would be ready!



See What I mean?



Don't you love my lil' sis baby bump? She's having a boy...and we are all so excited for her...I'm the FAVORITE Aunt...there is NO question!



I think the coolest part about this street full of shops like THE GAP, H&M, and MAC is the fact that self designers set up shop too...so there is so much VARIETY...

Plus you walk down the street and get entertained by street entertainers like this:


These guys Father and Son...did like a Cirque Du Soleil sort of thing!

And then these guys...the creepy one on the Left wouldn't stop staring at me...so I snapped his picture...creepy? Or what?



CREEPY!!!

I tried to snap a candid picture of my Mom and Lil' Sis...never works...



Anyway...we spot the MAC makeup store. I'm sorry, but I'm obsessed with lipstick and lip gloss and make-up and all that sort of stuff. Well, my Older sis LOVED and RAVES about MAC Make-up...SOOOO we went to the store...of course!

That is where my MOM and SISTERS decided I needed a Make-Over! i think they were hinting to me because later that night at the SteakHouse when I opened my cards...my gifts from them were Manicure/Pedicure and Facial...HMMMM....

This beautiful BIG black lady did my MAC make-over...here's the result:



That lipstick there...doesn't come off...NO LIE! I ate, drank, and SLEPT...and the next morning it still LOOKED like this! I love it...I'm going back there to buy one of EACH color that looks good on me!

Lil Sis got just her eye's done:



I went into H&M and bought me some clothes...everyone else was tired from walking around...but I was on a Birthday HIGH...I spent 45 minutes in that store by myself while my family members indulged in ice cream and people watching.

That night before dinner we all got dressed up and the picture taking began...did I mention we LOVE the camera?







Yea needed to fix my bangs here...beautiful right? lol!



Just in case you didn't catch that picture the first time! lol!





We ate and got back into the hotel...fully intending to go to a Comedy club or something...BUT

We went to bed.

No LIE.

10:00 pm.

Lights Out!

Best Birthday DAY ever!!!

Love,

Shelle

Why I'm NOT a Wedding Photographer...

I was going to tell you ALL about my LA trip and post some pictures and talk about how my sisters thought I needed a make-over...but then, I didn't feel like it...I feel like discussing something else!

It feels SPRINGY here where I live.

The weathers warm and taunts you all day in a cubicle to "Come Out and Play"...

I love this time of year as much as I dread it.

Because along with the great weather and feeling of euphoria and "let's play hokey" devil on your shoulder you get...

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!

UGH!

People ask me all the time why I am not a WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER...

"Shelle, you would make SO MUCH MORE MONEY if you shot weddings!"

In which I answer, "too time consuming right now for me and my little family and money isn't why I take pictures".

Although that is an HONEST excuse...it is not the ONLY excuse.

So I'm going to get this OUT in the open to all my closest friends...

I don't like weddings, nor do I like receptions.

There I said it.

I don't like them. I don't like waiting in line to congratulate the ONE person I know in the line just so that I can smile and be nice to total strangers who tell me who they are related to or WHY they are in the line.

The food is sometimes okay...but most of the time stinks, plus, I don't want to be THAT fat girl who keeps going up to the refreshment table to fill her plate.

And...I'm not one for PDA...I don't know why...but it makes me feel uncomfortable. And it's like welcoming the PRESIDENT of PDA when you go to a wedding...of course, it's to be expected of the Bride and Groom...but for some reason it's like a sneeze...the cloud nine, kissing face, huggy euphoric feeling the bride and groom give off to each other catches on and before you know it the whole lot of people are groping and getting a LITTLE too comfortable, especially if they are single and on the hunt.

I'm one of the ones who smugly smiles at the happy couple and thinks to myself, "Enjoy it now...because this HAPPY, GO LUCKY, NEVER GOING TO CHANGE feeling...changes."...now don't get me wrong, I don't want to sound like a pessimist...the WAY it changes either for good or bad is completely up to the couple...


(Okay I love the way they kiss...like it's important for them to get it just right...I hope MountainSport Man and I kiss that good!)

But you know what I mean...hard times come...but when you are in that stage of engagement and newly married, you believe that NOTHING will change...that everything will always feel and always be the way it is now...and you feel invincible and unbreakable.



I was the WORST culprut of this romanticizing of life. And it was WONDERFUL...

But back to wedding announcements.

I also don't want to do wedding photography because I can't have a DO-OVER and the only way I can go into a photo shoot confident is KNOWING a can offer a DO-OVER if the pictures don't turn out right.

It's the second child syndrome in me.



I DO however LOVE to be an onlooker of a stolen kiss or a impromptu embrace. To me the innocence of it is endearing. So I LOVE to take Engagement pictures or Bridals or married couples...I just don't like to show up at the wedding and reception, which can be a problem when you are a WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER.



So when I get a wedding announcement I cringe and go through a battle in my brain to see how desperate I am to fly somewhere just to get out of going...but I always end up going, because it matters to the people I love.

Okay I admit I may be a TINY bit jealous of the that euphoric feeling I was talking about before...some of the BEST years of my life where when I was engaged and newly married...figuring it all out. Having my little body, fake nails, and fake tan. Plus every wedding announcement I have gotten in the last couple of weeks is of couples who SHOULDN'T be together by the LAW that only ONE person is allowed to be beautiful...hopefully the bride-to-be...but not BOTH. Honestly...

So I LOVE this spring feeling...I'm in LOVE with the weather...and I'm sure I'll give in to the DEVIL on my shoulder.

And MAYBE if I ever TRIED being a WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER I would love it...but I'm a coward! There I said it!

But for the LOVE...it's just not humanly possible to attend 4 wedding receptions in ONE weekend is it? Can people REALLY ask that of me?

Love,

Shelle

Yes, I DO feel a DECADE older...What the What?

Okay, CRASH let the cat out of the bag and told everyone is was my 30th Birthday on Saturday.

First of all, someone once told me that you know when you are old when you stop wanting to tell people how old you are...

Ummm...

With that reasoning...I feel old.

I don't know how or when I told Crash my age...but I was going to try and let it slide this year...not announce it. Which is SOOOO unlike me if you know me at all! I LOVE letting everyone know that they need to shower me with gifts and make the WHOLE week leading up to my birthday as SPECIAL as possible.

But turning 30...kinda wanted to let it slide. Why this birthday is harder I don't know? I think Crash nailed it on the head though when she said something like you feel a DECADE older even though you are only a YEAR older...it's probably because you go to 2 something, into 3 something! Goes UPHILL, yet DOWNHILL from there. But I still LOVE Crash...and deep down I really really loved all the attention! Thanks!

I think Facebook also likes to tell secrets...because it let people know my birthday also even though I TRIED to figure out how to keep that info private! Someday I tell you why Facebook is from the Angel and the DEVIL.

Anyhow...I'll be my sweet attention grabbing self next year...

I did have one of the BEST birthdays ever...which made the transition MUCH, MUCH easier.

My sisters and Mom--pictured below:



Took me to LA for the DAY, or I took them!!! Wasn't that nice? We were celebrating My birthday, My older sisters birthday, and My Mom's birthday...who selfishly has hers the day AFTER mine...that is NOT enough time to relish in my BIRTHDAY wonderness before she stomps on my parade EVERY year except for a LEAP year...

I know, my life is rough...I take donations.

I am going to do a BIG OL boring picture post and tell you the highlights of that fun trip...going from SKANKY motel to falling asleep before 10:00pm. If that doesn't say OLD I don't know WHAT does!


But I just wanted to mention ONE highlight now...Mariah from MANICMARIAH took time out of her day to come say HI and meet me!!! Guess what is cool about that besides the fact that I DID meet her and her oldest daughter?

...it was that is was HER BIRTHDAY also! We share the same birthday!
And she is as FUN as she writes, and her and her daughter have some of the most gorgeous eyes.

I felt robbed of time with her because I had to continue on with my sisters and Mom...so NEXT time MARIAH...I'm taking you out and we are going to talk about all our DIRTY secrets...seriously THANKS! (P.S. And next time bring your Grandma...for the LOVE!) :) OH! And did Chris cook a good dinner? And did you get really FATTENING Ice Cream? Because you are way skinny and you need it! :) lol!

I should mention that Alyson also had her birthday on Saturday, (but it's hard because I envy how hot she is)...even though she is my BLOG cousin and we share the same birthday, Crash is my BLOG twin and we DON'T share the same birthday... so figure that one out? Happy Birthday Alyson...who is WAY hotter than me and lives in a WAY cooler place than me...literally...and whom I've become very good friends with. HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT DAY!

More On my birthday in LA...later...LOVE YA'LL and thanks for the HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES...it makes a girl feel good about herself ya know?

And P.S.--Evidence from the TWO photos above...but I'm sick of having HOT friends and HOT family members...so if I meet anybody else from other blogs...make sure you have been hit with the UGLY stick

Thanks...I would appreciate that!

Love,

SHELLE