BulgingButtons

Not bad for a fat girl


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Press Publish – A Conference for Bloggers

The Heard Museum

The Heard Museum

I feel like I’m part of the “in” crowd. This is a rare feeling for me, so I’m planning to savor it.

“Why do you feel like you’re part of the ‘in’ crowd?” you may ask.

Well, because I was one of the cool kids who got to go to Press Publish last weekend.

“And what’s that?” you wonder.

Only the best little WordPress blogging conference around. Seriously, it was really good. The WordPress genies (I guess they actually work for Automattic… I’m not sure) were everywhere, and they made sure that everything was taken care of.

The venue was beautiful, Phoenix’s own Heard Museum, which is worth a visit even if there isn’t an awesome blogging convention happening there, and the day was perfect for the gourmet outdoor luncheon that was served. You know me, I’m ALL about the food! And man, was it good! From the breakfast spread (they made it sound like there would be a few dried up muffins, but it was so much better than that, even the weird sounding but delicious vegan peanut butter protein squares) to the incredible flour-less chocolate cake with a fine dusting of chili powder served for dessert… YUM. Continue reading →


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Happy Birthday Cousin

bdaycupcakecardIt’s my cousin’s birthday.

I don’t hear from her anymore.

She had a baby three years ago. I made her a quilt. A really pretty one. It was bright and modern and fun. It was meant to be used, not stored somewhere so it doesn’t get dirty.

I mailed it to her.

I hadn’t seen her in years.

I hadn’t known she was pregnant.

Still, she’s my cousin.

Our mothers are sisters. They don’t get along very well. Our mothers are not our birth mothers. She was adopted from South America when she was three years old. I was adopted from the hospital where I was born and taken home when I was three days old.

She’s several years younger then me.

I loved her right away.

She lived several states away and we rarely saw each other growing up.

She had some hard times.

Some really hard times.

Nobody likes to talk about it.

Her mother won’t talk about her.

Her mother moved back to her home state.

My cousin lives where she was raised.

I don’t know if she got the baby quilt.

I texted. I Facebook messaged. I tried.

I hope she got it. I hope she uses it. I hope her little girl likes it.

I hope someday she’ll talk to me again.

I hope she has a good birthday.


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Loyal Dog vs. Zombies

Let me preface by saying I’m not a huge Zombie fan.

Oh sure, I do love Zombieland (yes, I know it’s gory and gross, but it’s freaking funny with some awesome actors), and I’ve enjoyed the entire Dayna Lorentz series. But somehow those fantastic YA novels set in the post Zombie shopping mall world seem different to me. Then there’s Sick, by Tom Leveen, another zombie YA novel, this time set in a high school, cool, huh?  So maybe I sort of do like Zombies. Or at least the Zombie genre.

Last summer I had the pleasure of attending a fantastic writing conference. The opening address was delivered by the author who just might hold the title as King of the Zombie Writers, none other than Jonathan Maberry.  He is a phenomenal speaker, and a prolific writer. His work is on my “to read” list, but frankly I’m a little scared of his books, even the covers are terrifying.

The good news is, he is not one dimensional. His facebook feed is full of happy, uplifting messages, and I enjoy following him.

Today, especially, I was in for a treat. This morning he shared this wonderful video, and it made my day. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. With thanks to Jonathan Maberry and the talented artists who created this film. Enjoy Steadfast Stanley.