The Saturday Six Nineteen

1. Saturday, my college friend Liz came out to visit me. She had to drive a long ways, but she wanted to see me and hang out, since we haven’t really had the chance to in over a year. I’m glad we’ve worked on fixing things between us, and her visit was sweet of her to make. She didn’t want me to spend my birthday weekend with just family; thought that I needed to be celebrated, and have the focus on me, without me being the mother-like figure that puts everyone first. Actually, when I slipped into my ways, she had to keep saying that “this weekend is for you.” My youngest nephew couldn’t get enough of her either, they were almost as thick as thieves.  She even brought me a chocolate chip cookie cake from Wegman’s, a balloon (that said Birthday Queen, and that my nephew kept running off with), and peace sign Mardi Gras type necklaces. We went to a going away party first, and then headed off to the local bar where we ended up connecting with one of my very many cousins. It was a good night, and morning. Thank you, my friend, for the visit.
   
   
2. Saturday, after Liz arrived and we had had supper with my family, I dragged her to a bon voyage party for another friend of mine, Laura. I’ve known her now for thirteen years, friends since the fourth grade. We may have grown apart somewhat since we graduated high school, but have remained there for each other and still are friends. She is off to Peru for her second time, this time, for a year. She later texted me while I was at the bar, to tell me that the card I’d written her had made her cry. In a good way. I seem to do that to my friends whenever I do it. I write something real in each card I give, because they deserve to know what’s inside, and they deserve realness. I’m going to miss her while she’s away, even though we’ve seen each other so rarely as is. I know she’s going to do great things over there though, and whomever comes in contact with her will be blessed.
   
   
3. As I stated before, Liz came out for my birthday. Yep, that was Sunday, and I’m officially twenty-two. Even though I like some of Taylor Swift’s music, please don’t sing that song! Anyways…after she left in the morning, the day dragged on (only had four hours of sleep), and it was a low-key, laid-back kind of birthday. Many birthday wishes were sent my way, and my mama made a ham dinner. Ham gravy, yum! She also baked me a birthday cake, funfetti flavored with butter cream frosting and covered in pink sugar crystals. My family also got me some new clothes and a new digital camera complete with a fitted case so I can carry it in my purse without damage like my old ones. The best part of my birthday? No negative energy.
   
   
4. Monday, my friend Melinda, another beauty of mine from college, came to visit me. She had wanted to be here the day before, but was spending much needed time with her fiancé. It was great though, we got to catch up and talk more than we do via text, Facebook, and calls. Haha. She’s a chica I chat with often. We went to Tim Horton’s for much needed hot beverages, well…that, and coffee shops have become a tradition of ours. We played with her Tarot cards, and I tried my hand at being the reader for once. We also walked around town, where she loved seeing some of the different buildings, especially ones that have a Victorian vibe. As many friends of mine that didn’t grow up here, she liked it. She also treated me to an early supper late lunch, before we got back to my house. Thank goodness I do at least know how to properly measure tire pressure, and how to work my dad’s air pump thing, because otherwise I’m not sure she’d have made it home in one piece. So incredibly glad she came out to see me, I’ve missed her, and when we get together, things seem better. A sign of true friends.
   
   
5. My friend Chrissy has done so much for me and been there often, so since she’s been stressed between full-time job and full-time school, and other small things, we got together to hang out yesterday. Lots of talking, and then I treated her to supper at one of the better restaurants in town. They had chicken and biscuits as a special, and man that made her happy. I’m glad I could bring her a smile.  She apologized later for us not doing much, but like I’ve stated to her and other friends before, I can enjoy myself and be content, with just the company and friendship, without me talking very much.  It was a good evening.
   
   
6. My dad and his fellow veterans of our town spent yesterday, and are spending today, standing outside different establishments in our town, selling poppies.  If there are any veterans in your areas doing this, donate, even if it’s a nickel. A little bit goes far, and our veterans have done much for our country. Their day is almost upon us, respect them, and thank them.

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~

The Saturday Six Eighteen

1. Saturday last week, my friend Chrissy and I got dressed up a bit, and went out for the night. Our first stop was the Batavia Downs since she wanted to play a voucher. I stood there entranced by the shiny lights that were everywhere.  I’m glad I don’t gamble, I’d be screwed due to the constant moving lights everywhere to distract me.  I’m too much like a cat at times, that the maze of all these lights and machines throw me off by myself.  I’m only a betting woman, when I know the answer in my heart, and follow my gut; that isn’t something that can be followed in the way of games. 
   
   After we were done out in Batavia, we came back to our hometown.  I can’t drink a lot right now, but that doesn’t matter.  We headed over to our local tavern, and enjoyed a live band, which did covers of country, some oldies, and some eighties. Around one in the morning, the band ended and the jukebox came on.  The tavern was a lot more crowded than when I went out the week before, and yet, still saw some... characters. It was a fun night though, and it was good to get out of the house.
   
   On another note, even though I cannot drink very much, we stopped at one bar in Batavia to see if they had karaoke (no, we didn’t get to sing though we wanted to), and since it doesn’t have a strong acidic base, I had a brown cow while there. Granted, I had to tell the bar matron how to make it, since she’d never heard of it. No, it’s not like a black Russian, though that’s what my friend thought. If you haven’t had one, it’s good. It’s pretty much an adult chocolate milk (so nicer to your system).  Combine Crème de Cocoa, milk, and ice, and voila!
   
   
2. Sunday, while my mama had her hands full, she walked me through making my first meatloaf; had enough for a week. She thought that I was going to go “Ew,” about the feeling of the mixture in my hands, with how gooey it was.  I didn’t, instead, my mom got to listen to me squeal and laugh over the icy coldness of the beef even though it’d been defrosting since the early morning. Cold gooey guck became a meal. Haha. Turned out well though.
   
   
3.  When I got home on Sunday, I was greeted by the smell of cinnamon and apples filling our whole house.  My mom was making homemade applesauce for the first time in a VERY long time. She had started an hour and a half before I got there, and when I walked in, was still slicing apples. It took her all day. One and a half five gallon buckets worth, at least. Damn, it was delicious. Most has been frozen for future consumption.
   
   
4. I attempted to teach myself to sew this week, so I could darn one of my carpetbags or handbag, whatever you want to call them. Turns out, I did the over-under stitch, and it came out okay. I’m not planning on embroidering anything soon, though I’ve always wished I knew how. Nor do I plan on any sewing projects, because even though the stitches are holding, they are not the best. Haha.
   
   
5. I had my first in person interview since I was seventeen, yesterday. The awesome part is that is was for subbing at the local elementary school, and my interviewer remembered me from when I was little. I was one of her first students for a gifted and talented children’s workshop that was during school hours.  I admit, the only thing I recall from that workshop was creating a flying cat hybrid animal. It’s nice though, that even though she only had me for a workshop in either the third or fourth grade, here I am at almost twenty-two, and she recognized my name and had it click when she saw my face. Granted, it was agreed upon, that with the red hair, I am often recognizable.  The interview seemed to be leaning in a positive way though, on the professional level.  And she understands why I decided not to go to college for education and would prefer to do something more in the human resources field after talking to me. So here’s hoping that I get the job, not just so I have some bit of income, but also so I can continue learning and gain experience to help me in the future. And in the process, give back a bit. It’ll definitely be interesting if I do get it, considering that the last time I spent in the elementary was when my sister went to high school there. I never got to do the switch over of buildings since the buildings themselves were switched the year that I was supposed to.
   
   
6. Last night, I went to my friend Jamie’s, where we spent a few hours making Jello and pudding shots for a party that is this weekend. I estimate a last count of 250, and when I got home, fell into bed. I really hope that many people eat them, granted…I may get my hands on the cheesecake ones if possible.
   
   

It’s Halloween time folks, so I hope you’re having fun, if you’re smitten with the holiday.  I myself, plan to makeshift myself into a gypsy with the miscellaneous clothes and accessories that I own. Finally, I have an excuse to be my funky self without my family giving me the look of “we’re not related to you.” Haha. Enjoy yourselves! If you don’t plan on dressing up, watch a flick, trick or treat, or as we do every year since I was little, have cider and donuts together as a family at Halloween comes to a close.

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~

The Saturday Six Seventeen

1. On Saturday last week, my best friend from my college days was out to see me.  She came Friday, and was here for two nights.  We had dinner with my family, and she helped me wash dishes afterwards, on Friday night.  When my family went to hang out in the camper for a bit, we went up to my room, hooked up her laptop, and popped in a DVD.  We watched Mama Mia up there until my ma came up, and then moved the giggles downstairs.  It was odd to hang out in my bedroom I’ve had since I was little, because it hasn’t been since at least middle school that I actually chilled up there.  Haha.
   
   
2. Saturday, was a special artist’s birthday. Made and sent him a card, and did a shot with him that night.
   
   
3. I’ve gotten some headway in the job hunting mission, let’s see where things lead me.  Cross your fingers folks!
   
   
4. I’ve been making progress on a new writing project. It’s challenging me, and I’m loving every bit of it.
   
   
5. My friend Chrissy and I checked out the store, Spirit Halloween on Tuesday, in Geneseo. It’s one of those seasonal stores.  Many cool things in there, but more for parties and kids for the most part. Oh, and I managed to have a heart-jump-throat moment when one of the animatronic creatures—a giant spider—lunged at me.  Okay, not Halloween yet, but I’ve had my scare for the month. Haha.
   
   
6. Yesterday, I became excited. Why?  My good friend and fellow writer, sent me a copy of her first book in her Serenity Series, Secret, as a gift in the mail.  I’m going to have to hide it on myself perhaps, because it’s pulling me.  Yet, I’m already three books I’m reading simultaneously and have about two more after that which people have lent me.  Those must be read first so that they can be returned to their proper owners. And who knows how many more books I’m going to get soon, my birthday is just a couple weeks away.  Alas…, more books in this world than I can read, and I shall continue to build my library.

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~

The Saturday Six Sixteen

1. I went to the eye doctor’s for the first time in almost two years and found out I needed a stronger prescription. It’s later in the week and my eyes are already starting to feel a bit better after all the stress they’ve been dealing with for about a month or so. And the headaches caused from it are starting to dissipate! It’s wonderful, and it also means I can focus better, for reading, writing, and editing.
   
   
2. I got to choose new frames, and now my face gets to choose between gold and purple. Haha. And I got to learn that spring frames are better than others, being more durable—explaining why my old ones had a hard time staying on my face when I had them, and eventually got somewhat warped.
   
   
3. Wednesday, when I got back into my town from Batavia, I met up with my friend Chrissy when she got out of work. It was a really good night; one we both sorely needed.  We walked around town for an hour, and then drove around back roads, before heading over to Geneseo for supper. Lots of talking. Some laughter. Stories. And good old Marilyn Manson playing in the car.
   
   
4. I edited and beta-read a snippet for one of my friends this week, helping her to get better at writing, and to practice editing more.  I’ve also been reading a little bit on things for editing, while working on my own work.  Always working hard in the writing world, just may be the actual creating, the editing process, or reading. I enjoy it and I know it’ll never stop providing me with a challenge in some sort of way. Here’s to the craft of words!
   
   
5. My friend M. R. Bryant had a Kindle sale from the first until today for her first book, Nation Nine. I talked with her last night, and the sale has been a larger success than one could have hoped!  If you haven’t yet, get yourself a copy and read the book, even if it’s after the sale is over. It’s a good read, especially if you like Dystopian literature, which is usually something I’m not a fan of myself, but I did like the Hunger Games trilogy, and I sincerely enjoyed my friend’s work.  Try it!  The second book in her series will be coming soon, so READ ya’ll. Hehe.
   
   
6. In my town, aside from the local YMCA, we also now have a gym that’s opened 24/7 which opened sometime during my college years. My friend Jamie took me there as a guest for my first time yesterday.  We worked out nearly two hours, where I did a tiny bit of arm and back work, some leg work with the machines, and did about eight miles through cardio (mainly using one of the bikes), constantly changing the resistance levels.  My body felt like jelly afterwards before it became numb, but oh man, it felt so good. I started liking working out during my last year of college, so needless to say, I found myself admitting that I missed it. My high school self would be in shock. Doing a tiny bit of yoga today to keep from locking too much, but you can tell you worked your ass off literally when all your muscles ache. It did allow me to sleep for the most part, better than I have most of the time.

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~

The Saturday Six (Fifteen)

1.  I went driving twice earlier this week with my mom, taking routes I hadn’t taken yet. I also was driving a car both times, which was extremely different for me, since all I’ve practiced in is trucks.  I’m happy with the progress though, but wasn’t able to practice much more later in the week due to it raining all week, and no one’s been home much with time to help. Taking what I can get.

And trying hard not to put an S.O.S. online to my friends in the area with vehicles, asking them to help me practice/learn in return for baked goods. Not kidding. I’ve thought about baking for others in return for lessons.

2.  A week ago, I went to my friend Chrissy’s where for the first time in a long time, I just sat on the floor for over two hours, no music, no music, no nothing, just talking.  We’ve both been stressed and just vented. On just about everything, like a great purge. After, we went to the local Tops, bought a four-case of Jamaican-Me-Crazy wine coolers, a pint of Ben and Jerry’s (Karamel Sutra, to split), Kettle Salt and Vinegar chips, and those awesome sour Twizzlers we had that one time we went to the drive-in. We then watched Wanderlust, and capped off the night to music videos and parodies on youtube before sleeping hard. Guess you can say we sorely needed a stay-in girls’ night of some of the simplest of pleasures: friendship, comedy, and junk food. I’m glad for nights like that though, because even if they come about due to stress and sadness, etc, they help heal you a little bit to keep you going.  Kind of like a recharge without going out and being stupid.  And trust me, I’ve been wanting to go out and be stupid. Haha.

3.  Tuesday night, I was over the moon. I’m not one of those girls that generally chase, nor tries and tries to be noticed. It’s generally, here I am simply, you see me then let me know. Well…since my 21^stbirthday almost a year ago, I have been trying here and there to get just a hi from my favorite actor via Twitter. Usually, when an author, writer, or actor hasn’t responded, I’m like, well..okay, they’re busy, I get it. I’ve smiled though when some have responded to me, mostly just a couple of authors (Libba Bray, Alyson Noel) that I’m not friends with or a couple actors (Kris Holden-Ried, Rick Howland, and Robin Strasser) or when some well-known people follow me. It’s nice.

Well, after many once in a blue moon tweets to my favorite actor, he posted a simple Tweet asking how people were or what they were up to.  All I did was respond, stating I was working on one of my novels that’s in progress (it’ll be a long time before you see anything long from them, I’m more picky with my longer works than my short).

He answered me.

Milo Ventimiglia tweeted me.

And, I’m pretty sure my heart stopped, and a large part of me said that if I were to die right now, I would be happy. Then again, even though he’s fourteen years older than me, I always did say after I started watching his work, that I would happily marry him and bare his children in a heartbeat. Funny how we can be when we like someone, right?

But I don’t just like Milo for his looks, or voice, even though just in the physical sense he’s pretty damn sexy (future males in my life, don’t take it to heart, just because I like him doesn’t mean I’ll deny you, like some have oddly thought). I like him for the work he does usually. And honestly, if I could somehow, I would want to work with him. I wouldn’t have to fangirl and be with him, just working with him as colleuges would be nice. I don’t know how exactly, but you never know where the world will take you, or where your passions will take you. I mean, come on, when I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher and a writer that got published.  Now, I just want to be someone that helps others, and a writer who yes, still wants to be published but doesn’t have to have fame for it, but who also wants to have artists sing my lyrics, and would love to get on the other side of the writing world—editing, publishing.  So who knows, maybe I’ll be lucky and get to talk with Milo more in the future, maybe be blessed enough to work with him.

Don’t know.I do know though, that my positivity levels have been ultimately low lately, but that that ONE text from him, made my levels go up a good degree.  And isn’t that all we want from the people that look up to us, or that enjoy what we work hard to create, is to touch them somehow, even if it’s just a smile?

Now, if only the people that we care about in our actual lives and who we like, or love, could realize just how much even a phone call or text message can change things around for us? Haha.

 

Oh, and if you think this was the closest I could display to my excitement, when Libba Bray tweeted me for the first time a year ago:

 Think again when it came to Milo.

Anyways….

 …I’m just going to shut up for a bit about the Milo tweet now, so no one wants to take a frying pan to my head (inside joke between my mama and I this week, don’t ask). Besides, pretty sure there’s a high chance of me swooning and drooling later in the future. I’ll just enjoy this and be quiet.

4.  My friend, writer Jess Russell, deigned to tell me that her son has asked at times if they could visit me again. Not only do I love Jessica, she is like family to me, I love that her son wants to hang out with me as well. He’s got a great mom, and is a good kid. I’m still shocked at how extroverted he is at times, especially with how quickly he made friends when I took them to the park in my town over the summer. Hope to see them sometime before Christmas if possible, missing them both.

5.  Yesterday, I went job hunting, getting and handing in more applications. I walked around in my large raincoat, in the rain (was pouring most of the time) up and down Main Street in my town.  I’m now stuck waiting to hear anything, and will probably try to put out more applications next week.

Cross your fingers and wish me luck. I need it.

6.   I heard my mom say last night that you’d think people in our family would know that October 12^th is not a good day for our family. Note: I go “huh?” with a “what the heck ya talking about” look pasted across my face.  Apparently, every marriage that has occurred in our family, on that date, has ended in divorce. Now, I tend not to be a superstitious woman, but what about being the one that marries a couple on that day? You know, get ordained and tie two people together?  Okay…just realized how odd that sounds, but I’m writing this straight out of my head as I process.

I’m serious.

One of my friends wants to get married on that date someday in the future, and I promised to officiate when the time came.

I don’t want to jinx them.

I’m kind of hoping that my cousin that I don’t know, and his fiancée, end up having a long fruitful marriage, and kick this thing in the derrière.

Also…, a person I care about deeply, has that date as a birthday.  I really don’t need more things saying “no.” Partly because I’ll resent it more and find a way to say screw you more often on that subject, but still.

Alas, I think way too often these days, about some random things. And it doesn’t matter. Yet, the thought still pops into my head. And triggers dominoes.  Anyone else?

Please say I’m not alone in this. *faceplant*

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~

PS—I had to refrain from posting any screen stills of Milo from That’s My Boy, and Pathology, considering I don’t know how young people are that are reading this.

The Saturday Six (Fourteen)

1. Saturday, my mom, my sister, my nephew, and I all went to Geneseo for Chinese and a trip to Goodwill.  My mom ended up buying me some “new” books, some by Mercedes Lackey, The Diary of Anne Frank, and a few Boxcar Children books for my collection.  The latter was my favorite series when I was a little kid, and I still hunt for copies to add to it; I wasn’t sure if the books we got were ones I already have, but luckily, when I went to shelve them, I didn’t. Yay! Oh, and she got me some soundtracks on CD as well as a cute cookie jar for my future apartment.
   
   
2. Mom worked with me more on driving on Sunday, and I can’t wait to learn to shift…I feel really bad when I have to ride my brakes, especially since I hear my dad’s voice in my head lecturing me about it. She says I’m doing better at making my turns. The only tenseness I’ve felt when with her is in my left arm, and more confident.
   
   Dad came home on Monday though, and had me driving on our fields, lawn, and through our pasture…needless to say, my whole body locked and I almost became sick because my anxiety became so bad. I really wish there was a driving school for adults in my town, and not half an hour away.
   
   
3. Elk jerky. Yeah, I got to try some of that this week, courtesy of Texas. Better than bear, similar to deer, but more dry. I know, it’s jerky, but trust me, jerky can have a moist taste. We used to make deer jerky when I was a kid, I know what I’m talking about. All in all, it was alright. I wouldn’t go searching for it, but I’d eat it if put in front of me again.
   
   
4. I’ve thought about doing yoga for a while, and this week, I hunted down over a hundred beginners videos on youtube. And I’ve started doing yoga. Very small stuff right now, and going pretty slow. I ended up tweeting with my old personal trainer, Jenn, from my college days, for advice. Aside from the normal stuff most people have told me, she told me to experiment and test with some things, and do low-impact. I have tendonitis in my right wrist, so some things I can’t do compared to a year ago, such as downward dog, push-ups, and a plank that isn’t on the elbows. I want to badly, but considering I have to take breaks just from the computer to ice and massage now and then, as well as just stop using that hand, I guess I’m SOL on some positions.
   
   I did make a small playlist for my first circuit to branch from, which is going well so far. Some parts were harder than others, but…I’m actually a tad optimistic about it. And I realized that some parts of my body are considered more flexible already than others. Like bending my knees toward the floor…I guess some need pillows until they become better at that part, while mine had no need. Yay! And my lower back, is very weak. Something I never would have thought. Yikes! Seriously, I went to do one move where your weight is on your forearms flat on the floor, while you’re laying on your back, legs straight, and lift your butt up off the floor, and hold for three breaths. Needless to say, this is where I had to experiment, and pretty much turned myself into an open box or something, but bringing my feet in, and had to lift my butt up that way. Gaining strength in that area is going to be harder than I imagined. Boo.
   
   I feel for anyone who hasn’t worked out in a while, or trying to learn new things like this. It’s hard, which is great. And it did make me feel better a bit. But man—a pain in the, would it be lower back in this instance? Haha.
   
   
5. I’ve started asking some of my published author friends to beta-read for me. To be honest, even though I had professors who were published read my work in college, I think I’m more nervous now. I love them, but when you spend so much time with pieces of work, looking at it over again, etc, over a course of time, you no longer know entirely what to expect.
   
   
6. Last night, my youngest nephew, got a hold of some leftover bubble wrap from one of the packages we got this week. Needless to say, after supper, he stood in the kitchen, jumping and marching on it, wanting us to join. We preferred to watch his excitement, and besides, we know our feet would have popped most of it and taken away his fun rather quickly. He was definitely over-wound, but I like that fact that he can still enjoy life like that. Have fun with small simple things, and not the countless toys he is spoiled with, and not in the need of all of the electronics so many kids seem to have at much earlier ages than in the past.
   
   Sum of this scene: enjoy the bubble wrap in your life over the things that cost more. Simple pleasures y’all, those make the world go ‘round. And even though that has me aching to curl up with someone close to my heart, and god forbid it, watch an awful horror movie or raunchy comedy that aren’t my taste, I still mean what I say. Simple. Pleasures. Enjoy them. Cherish them.
   
   

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~

The Saturday Six Thirteen

1. Saturday, my sister and I took my mama out to the Olive Garden for the first time, as an early birthday present.  Yummy breadsticks is worth it. As was the smile and surprise on her face.

2. Sunday, as most of you know, was the VMAs, and I admit, I haven’t watched really any award shows in the last few years let alone anywhere near the way I did when I was younger.  I watched though, and I admit to major fangirling moment. I mean, I was born in 1991, so…I’ve listened to Justin Timberlake as one of my number one pop artists most of my life, and he was my favorite one out of the ‘Nsync guys.  Honestly, my sister has a photo somewhere in her albums of me in elementary, wearing an oversized Veteran’s Club t-shirt as a nightgown kissing and posing with her Justin poster.  ‘Nsync is by far the best pop boy band (seriously, One Direction, you’re a no-go and I want the Union Jack flag returned to the Spice Girls). Yes, I was among the twenty-something year olds that I know who was clapping like a fool with a huge ass grin spread across my face the moment I saw all the boys together.  And yes, I immediately sang along with them just like I did when we were kids, and when I used to watch my sister’s VHS of one of their concerts for “No Strings Attached”.
   
   I mean, a lot of the show was good, and heck, I got teary-eyed when Macklemore did “Same Love.” It matters, not just because the song is powerful, but because I know a good handful of beautiful souls who have been in my life at some point or another that deserve things just like that.
   
   Show was great, okay, I admit it. However, to me, Justin Timberlake eclipsed everything else with that spectacular performance, and the appearance of the whole ‘Nsync band reunited.  Miley, I like your music.  Lady Gaga, I like yours as well.  Taylor Swift…I paused my television when you hugged your co-star from the video you won your award for, just so I could stare at his sexy self for a second.  Will Smith, I caught you bobbing your head. And Katy, I heard you roar.  However y’all, the part that will stay in my memory best or at least the longest, as the days pass by is what I just spent three paragraphs, going on four, discussing.
   
   ‘Nsync…for a brief moment, I was thrown back to the times when my age was in the one-digits, I was more carefree, and I was much more pure of mind.  You brought the good parts of growing up, and a flash of the young me.  I will probably remain an ‘Nsync fan, and a Justin Timberlake fan, until I’m no longer able to hear music.
   
   
3. I finished reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern late one night. I had wanted to read it badly when I used to shelve it all the time at my old job, and it did not disappoint. Funny though, some segments reminded me of pieces of Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy.  I love the style of writing that both authors have, and see a similarity in the way in which I like to write. The visuals in my head came so easily, and aside from the time jumping and POV jumping that took me a while to get used to, I felt like I was right there, as another member in the charade.
   
   Excerpt to catch your fancies:
              
   “Stories have changed, my dear boy,” the man in the grey suit says, his voice almost imperceptibly sad. “There as no more battles between good and evil, no monsters to slay, no maidens in need of rescue. Most maidens are perfectly capable of rescuing themselves in my experience, at least the ones worth something, in any case.  There are no longer simple tales with quests and beasts and happy endings.  The quests lack clarity of goal or path. The beasts take different forms and are difficult to recognize for what they are. And there are never really endings, happy or otherwise. Things keep going on, they overlap and blur, your story is part of your sister’s story is part of many other stories, and are a great deal most complex than a princess and a dragon, or a wolf and a scarlet-clad little girl. And is not the dragon the hero of his own story? Is not the wolf simply acting as a wolf should act? Though perhaps it is a singular wolf who goes to much lengths as to dress as a grandmother to toy with its prey.” (Page 499)
              
   “The truest tales require time and familiarity to become what they are.” (Page 500)
              
   “Someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There’s magic in that. It’s in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift. Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it….” (Page 505)
   
   
4. This week was mom’s 49^th birthday.  I’d bought her birthday present a couple of weeks ago, before we took her to Olive Garden.  She really liked her gift, but got on me for spending money I don’t have much of on her since we’d taken her to supper. However, she understood the dinner was an impromptu thing, and she likes the shirt. I win. I also made her a cheesecake since I didn’t think we needed a 9x13 cake, especially considering that after I made the dessert, I found out that her coworker had made her cupcakes.  Her candles? Yeah, I put those in the shape of a heart, and she had my nephew blow out the candles with her.
   
   
5. Over the weekend, I brainstormed things from the past few years about myself and took my old (admittedly, bad) résumé and put it all together, because a friend of mine has offered to help me to a good one, that I can not be not quite so nervous about giving to potential employers.  However, my mom and I got to talking and brainstorming ways for me to get an actual job again due to me lack of transportation.  The only problem with it, is that the jobs I look for at the moment, have to be in the ten mile radius of home, so that it’s not out of my family’s way to get me there. I found two jobs that I don’t think will make me go nuts, and that I think would be very beneficial not just to my bank account and bills, but also to my growth.  Filling out the applications though, I had to have a résumé, so I spent a whole night trying to make one that wasn’t an online plug and chug.  I’m nervous now, especially since jobs in town are always a fight usually, due to them being hard to get.
   
   
   
6. Okay, let’s talk about the writing world. The one that I love being succumbed to…most importantly, the people within my writing bubble.
   
   I tried out my video calling on Google+ yesterday, so I can talk more with my writer friends, etc. The first one I got to talk to is my lovely friend, author of Vaalbara: Visions & Shadows, Vaalbara: The Land of Shadows, and a 7DS writer. It was nice to first figure out how to use my video caller, but also to finally get to meet her virtually face to face. It’s somewhat surreal to think that I can talk to my friends via video, especially when Michelle for instance hails from South Africa. Among our short conversation, she asked me about what I plan to do for jobs now, and I told her what I would like but I also mentioned what I’m just looking for right now.  She suggested that perhaps through marketing myself, I can perhaps get small presses to look to me for editing positions that I can do online, on the side with my writing.  I’ve looked for online freelancing via job sites and have come up short, but this is a good idea. I mean, I help my friends here in WNYS sometimes, so why not? I mean, it would make me really happy and be something that I love to do. Yes, I know I can’t rely on it to support me financially, but it would be good to do. She had a point that if you’ve got editing skills, they shouldn’t be put to waste.
   
   This month I had beta-read for my friend Jess Russell, and after I gave it back to her, she said she wanted to submit it, but wasn’t sure if she was good enough. I told her she is though, and encouraged her to send it to some of our other writer friends if she still wasn’t sure. Guess what?  Things are looking up for her, and I’m proud of her, always.
   
   
   

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~

The Saturday Six Twelve

1. I’ve been spending a lot more time with my friend Chrissy lately.  She is starting back to school after a long period away from it, this coming week, and Monday I went to Batavia with her because she wanted someone to 1) verify that she actually went to fill out the paperwork and schedule classes, 2) keep her from running.  It was quite odd to be back at a college, looking at school courses being scheduled and to see what is mostly, lost seventeen to nineteen year olds running around like puppies in search of bones. Another weird feeling for me being there, was not only is it a college, it was a community college.  I went to a larger scale college, so it felt more like I was walking through the halls of a large high school.  There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just that it was a smaller campus than from where I spent four years.  I’m so proud of her though, getting back on the track she wants to be.
   
   
2. I got a small planner to put in my purse, so now I have a calendar that isn’t dependent on my phone, and allows me much better memory.  Honestly.  Since I’m lacking in a regular schedule and I generally function better writing things down.
   
   
3. Had to get a shot this week, and finally met a person handling the needle who agreed that there is a difference between liking tattoos (wanting more) and being scared as Hell of needles. I kept saying I wanted to get a tattoo done at the moment than be stuck with the two inches worth of steel that was shoved into my arm.  Shots help with the health, but are pain in the asses no one sees after they’re finished.  Tattoos create beauty as well as can represent a person after they’re finished; they are art and puzzle pieces, they last. I prefer the latter.
   
   
4. I framed some artwork this week finally, that someone really close to my heart had given me four years ago. There’s three drawings, and only two of them have left to go on my wall. That interesting endeavor is something I plan to do today while I have an empty house.
   
   
5. I heard about some job listings available for positions I never contemplated but that would be amazing, and that I qualify for; unfortunately, I can’t apply due to the jobs being in NYC and that’s on the other side of the state. Alas, if I had the funds, I’d try to go out that way and apply anyhow.   The good part about this though, is that it gave me ideas of jobs that I can look for, and for things about myself to put on my resumé that I had never thought of before.  It’s a defeat, but also a small gain. 
   
   
6. Finally, last night I went out with a few friends to a small bonfire.  Yesterday was probably the most I’ve laughed in a couple months, as well as was the best day I’ve had all month.  I thank my friends for that.  And we found out that Pizza Pringles and BBQ Pringles taste amazing together…but, don’t take my word for it, try the combo together!
   

One thing about today: my oldest nephew has his first football game today, GO BRYAN! <3

Oh, and to my fellow friends that are still in college, returning to college, or starting school to acquire their Masters or Law Degrees,  I know this coming week starts the next leg of it all for you, and I just want to say: Good Luck! Don't have too much fun, but then again, don't work way too much ;)

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~

The Saturday Six (Eleven)

1. Sunday, even though I had zero energy, I went to Geneseo to see We’re The Millers, even though it meant me sitting there by myself.  My dad went and saw 2 Guns.  Why didn’t he watch my movie? Because I told him he would not want to watch it with me…he’d probably like it, possibly, but after seeing Savages when that was in theaters, I’d like to avoid anything regarding my like in movies that happen to have sex and marijuana. Especially, when both movies involve the selling of it.  I’ve no problem with the way people choose to live their lives really, as long as it doesn’t harm another person, and they’re movies. However, my dad watching this with his youngest daughter is a very bad idea, and I didn’t want him to damper the movie I’d wanted to see.
   
   And how I enjoyed said movie!
   
   I have got to say, it was probably one of the funniest movies I’ve seen released in months, and my mute-self was wanting to laugh so hard, I even had a coughing spasm trying to.  I sat there in the theater, by myself, Goobers and popcorn with extra butter and salt in my lap, with an incredibly large grin upon my face.  Who would have thought that seeing Jennifer Aniston as a stripper would be the highlight to my day, let alone, the highlight in my life in days.  Thank you Millers.
   
   
2. Tuesday was the two week marker of being a mute.  So…needless to say, I was overjoyed when Monday night, my sister sent over a dry erase board from the Dollar Tree in my nephew’s diaper bag. I’m extremely grateful for this gesture, because I was tired of hunting around to make sure I had scrap paper on me or typing in large font on my computer to communicate with people. I learned a long time ago, when I had laryngitis in high school (three times!) that these little boards are a god send.
   
   
3. Even as a mute, I was tired of seeing only family members and being a hermit.  I was losing all sanity. I wanted to scratch the crap out of a certain individual.  I took a chance of completely draining myself again, possibly getting nauseated and risk passing out (did that last week, bad, very bad), and allowed my friend Chrissy to kidnap me and take me on errands with her.
   
   Unlike everyone else, she has no problem seeming like she is talking to herself.  She is quite a talker, and great at picking up subtle cues of communication.  I was also able to use a little bit of signing that I do remember from my childhood mixed in with using my handy dandy board, and heavens thank you for her friendship! My throat was feeling a tad better, and I was able to laugh—well, kind of.
   
   And apparently, I was quite amusing, even in my mute state, and not just to Chrissy.  Our waitress at Applebees got to read my order off my board, and another waiter thought that we were doing a trivia game until he found out I had no voice. They loved that I had a board. Weird, but good.
   
   I thank the stars every day for the friends I have in my life.  Friends are the biggest reason I survive, they are part of the why and part of the how.
   
   
4. I got my hair trimmed this week, finally!
   
   It took almost a year, which makes me extremely paranoid to go so long without one.  However, I found a person I could afford and that I could trust.  Having both things work together is hard, and I trust very few near my hair, even fewer with something that could harm it, such as scissors. Woo-hoo!
   
   
5. This month, I’ve done some BETA reading and editing for a friend.  I finished with what she has towards her larger manuscript that is a WIP.  I loved a lot of it, and for some reason, my writing friends who’ve had me look over scenes, etc for them this summer, have a way of playing with my emotions through their work.  Thumbs up, ladies. I consider that a good thing. And I loved her takes on some of the creatures involved, as well as how she tackled different aspects about life.  The more important things, such as the connections between people.  I think she truly has potential in what she’s creating.
   
   
6. My sister, even in her frustrated state last night, got me a plate of fried dough and my favorite taffy (wintergreen) from our county fair. I practically inhaled the dough, I’d been craving all week. There’s something about fair food and summer, I swear.

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~

The Saturday Six (Eight)

1. My friend Steph, whom I call my Wifey, traveled out to our hometown to celebrate her brother’s 17^th birthday and I got to spend a few hours with her.  Wonderful!  We got with some of our friends as well, from our high school days, and nope, no being quiet occurred between any of us really.  I was also able to finally give her the birthday presents and birthday letter I had for her.  She was pleased to find what I had stored in the pretty box (that she plans on using for scrapbooking) because in it, I had her letter, a painted pilsner glass, a picture frame made completely of glass, a pillar candle (the scent of her favorite cupcake, strawberry) and a cupcake cookbook.  When it comes to people I care about, when I am capable of doing something, I hardly ever miss their birthday and do my best to make sure they know that I care and love them.  I do my best to think of nothing else but them when it comes to making someone feel special.  Haha.
   
   
2. Sunday, when Steph and I were at her parents’ house, I saw the mom of someone who matters to me.  It was wonderful, because I had ran into the whole family, and when she got out of the car, she exclaimed in what seemed to be good cheer to see me.  She has received more tattoos since I last saw them in January.  She liked having me around when she got one, because I was able to distract her with good and honest, real conversation.  Glad to know I’m not hard to forget.  =)
   
   
3. Tuesday, I was greeted with a wonderful surprise.  My lovey: Jess Russell, came out with her son to visit me.  She’s never been out here, and now she has truly learned what I mean when I’ve always said that I grew up in the sticks, and that there is nothing really within walking distance from my parents’ house.  She gaped at all the green, loved the views, and was surprised to find roads that had no lines on them.  She also said after I gave her a small tour of my town that if I had lived in the town and not the country, she would be jealous of me.  To outsiders, even though there’s nothing to do, they often see the quaintness of the area.  She also loved our public library, which, even though it’s small (at least to some others that I’ve stepped foot into before).  She enjoyed the way it is set up, and I was able to show her the area that I’ve shown very few people in my life: what my happy place was when I was a child…before the teen years had ever really hit.  What is that you may ask?  It is a wooden rocking chair in a small quiet room, in the downstairs of that said library.  Then is when I wished for silence.  Now is when I almost always need a background noise such as music or a television.  The need or craving to be left alone, to have privacy, and to be around something I am passionate about, etc, has never changed since then, though.  I’m just glad that one of the people that matter so much to me was able to come out here, as well as share a piece of me with her.  And you know what ended up happening?  She whisked me away with them to their place to escape for some of the week!
   
   
4. Thursday, when I got back from Jessica’s, my friend Jamie stopped by my house for a few hours.  I like when friends do that, as long as I’m awake.  Haha.
   
   
5. I ended up opening my first checking account this week….mainly for just the bills.  I want to do my best to try and pay off some of my loans before grace period ends, and I sorely need to build up credit.  So…yeah, checking account.  Even though I can never remember the proper way to fill out a check.
   
   
6. By the way, for the past four years, I have been obsessed with the Gilmore Girls.  I had gotten the first two seasons on DVD when I was a freshman in college, and then this week, happy days…I bought the third and fourth finally.  I don’t buy things online, so it’s a lot harder to find.  And the third season is my favorite season.  So, yayness!

There’s some other things that are small things that were good about this week, and even big in my eyes, but they’re either not things that I am willing to share with the public or that I cannot recall.  I’m having problems trying to figure out some things in my personal life, and am highly stressed.  Luckily, I did get some writing in and editing…as well as a bit of playing beta reader, in this week.  I am having this post while I’m away from my computer this weekend, so hopefully you all are doing well, and I am hopefully soaking up the rays somewhere not here and possibly with my best friend from Brockport.

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~

The Saturday Six (Seven)

1. Sunday, I went to a wedding where I got to see my friend (who was my best friend in elementary school) get married to the man she has loved almost as long as I have known her.  She made a beautiful bride, and for the first time in my life, I cried at a wedding, and at the reception as well.
   
   
2. Monday, one of my best writer friends, Madeleine (you may know her as M. R. Bryant) traveled a little over an hour to come and visit me.  So we talked, a lot, and then I brushed off my magic wand and worked a bit of my fairy godmotherly magic on her, as she requested (she has a wedding in Pennsylvania she’s attending this weekend, and wanted to look…fannetabulous, hehe).  I’m so glad that I got to see her…I had really needed her, and I also desperately miss seeing her at least once a week, like when we went to college.  I’m sure everyone will be quite jealous of her boyfriend this weekend though, because knowing her, she’s achieved what she planned.
   
   
3. I know from talking to my friend Jess this week, that I’m blessed to have her in my life, and as part of the family I have created for myself.  Remember, if you have good friends, true friends, the ones you know are real, don’t ever let them go if you can help it.  They’re the falling stars you hold in your hand and want to keep close to your heart.
   
   
4. My best friend from college, Christine, called me up this week.  I had to get off the phone after a while, but I hope I can see her soon.  Stinks that it’s so hard to find time to even have a phone conversation any more, that isn’t texting.  But, when you’re friends and you matter, still need to try even if it’s just for a minute.  That’s something I learned a long time ago, and will keep putting into practice when someone else is willing to do so as well.
   
   
5. Yesterday, I got up early and joined Jack and his family, and his friend Jessi to go visit the Genesee Country Village and Museum (Mumford, NY).  We didn’t see every little bit, but I’m glad to be given the chance to go when I appreciate the beauty of all of it, as well as the history.  I do know though, that even though I’m already not a big fan of beer, it’s going to be a couple weeks possibly before I can swallow a swig of it after going to the 19^th century brewery.  Haha.  Oh my though, how beautiful some of the houses were….in some, I felt like I was in Dr. Quinn’s homestead before she married Sully, in other’s like I could possibly be in the Quinn house in Boston.  That’s the extremes.  I loved it though, and in one of the last houses that we had a chance to go into, I had memories of when I went to house in Rochester two years ago, to celebrate International Women’s Day.
   
   We also went to one of the museums, that held old clothing and had artwork.  How I dearly love to look at art, and see the magic a person has created with her or his own hands.  With the clothes though…even though some of it was pretty…you’d never catch me, I do believe, trying to wear any of that.  The waists were much too small, and I’d rather have comfort and air in my lungs than be constrained by a corset.
   
   My writer’s mind is pleased, as well as a bit of my soul.  Yes, I know, I may be a bit strange for saying that, but hell, I don’t care.
   
   
6. After the museum, and after lunch, when we got back to their house, I admit, I ended up falling asleep on their couch.  Jack had to wake me up eventually, and we went to a baseball game in Batavia.  It was a good game, from what I can collect, and I enjoyed the company immensely.  When we went to head back to our town, we stopped in the parking lot to watch the fireworks.  Thank the heavens for Jack, because with all those bangs, even though I enjoy the light and the sparks, I don’t know how well I would have remained standing, or if I could have kept myself from trying to shut all the sound out.

My friends have been so kind and good to me, seems even more so since I got my degree.  I may be stressing a lot lately, but I recognize what is good, what keeps me going, and that the universe or someone, is watching out for me.  Well, I’m sorry if this is rushed, but I’m extremely tired and have to make sure this posted before I decide to wake my youngest nephew up to start his day.  I’m going to make sure that this kid actually gets a nap later, so none of this sleep until 12:30 crap.  Haha.

~Count your blessings, and whether things are bad or you’re doing well, find something good and hold on!

Much love!

~*~Alyse~*~