Book Review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

I finished this book a few hours ago and I’m still thinking about it.  

I’ll tell you why.                          

First of all, the historical part and the fiction/vampire part?  Seamless.   There’s a lot going on here, with the famous historical figure, presenting what we do know about him, deepening the character so he’s believable and then throwing in a completely unbelievable aspect---it’s a lot for a writer to juggle.  And yet. Mr. Grahame-Smith not only manages it, he masters it.  Maybe it’s the consistent tone, mood and voice.  Maybe it’s the steady movement of the plot, punctuated, but not dominated by, excellent fight scenes.  Maybe it’s the photos that look real, the block quotes from supposed first sources (letters, journal entries, etc), but whatever it is, I as the reader bought it hook, line and sinker.  

He had me questioning whether vampires could have been real but hidden this whole time.  

 Seriously. 

::Warning: Cheesy cliché ahead::  

Whether you like action, biographies, historical fiction or the paranormal, this book has something for everyone!  I highly recommend it! 

5 out of 5 stars  

Scholarship Essay: Why the Art Institute Rocks My Socks!

 When I went to college the first time, I was 21 years old, newly married and far from home.  I went to a lovely little college campus with rolling green land as far as the eye could see.  It included a golf course and walking path, butted right up to the Cape Fear River.  After two years, I transferred.  My second college was an older campus, with beautiful old world charm, set atop a hill, dotted with trees and close to a major city.  I loved both campuses and in the second instance, I studied Education.  

   

Years later, as a wife and mother, when I decided I couldn’t ignore my passion for art anymore, I went to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh—Online Division for one blissful year.  I studied design basics, color theory and perspective.  I was at my easel every day.  But then there was pressure to leave, as my being in school had altered our home life.  I told myself I was choosing my family, and left my dream behind.  

 Several years later, I was going through a divorce.   I struggled to find work after 7 years as a stay at home mom.  My ex and I have resided under the same roof for 10 long months.  Returning to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh—Online Division has given me some of my joy back.  I cannot wait to begin!  Not only will I be working in a field I love, I will be giving my children the example of never giving up on your dreams, always getting educated in whatever it is you love and that while life can be challenging, there is reward for hard work. 

This time, I am going back to college to be able to stand on my own two feet in a field where I can actually get a job to support my three children on my own.  This school works so hard to accommodate non-traditional students in a field that is typically thought of as hands-on, in-person only.  They creatively use technology to educate and evaluate you at your own pace.  Every professor has excellent credentials; I feel like I am getting a top-notch education.  The first time I attended I was pregnant and my professor worked with me to get my assignments in before my due date, in order to be finished with the course before I was induced.  I found my teachers to be sympathetic and understanding, knowing that children came before school sometimes.  When I told my professor at the time that I had to leave school, I was taking Figure Drawing, which had been a challenge for me, but she said, “You are a bright and shining star.  I’m sorry to hear you’re leaving.  I hope you come back to school.”  

I know that this school will not only allow me the flexibility of getting my education while I work, they will work just as hard as I am at getting me to the finish line. 

This scholarship is sponsored by CenturyLinkQuote.com.

See My Creative Bad Self in Action!

So my sister and I started a little business back in September known affectionately as Siostra ("sew-stra").   Among our various heritages is Polish and siostra is the Polish word for "sister."  And we've been doing pretty well: logos, print designs, email signatures, FB landing pages, photo shoots and now tabs/apps and cover photos.

And there were other things we wanted to try but didn't fit under Siostra's "a la Carte Marketing" subtitle, so .....we're creating a second business.  (stop making that noise)  It's called Siostra: Artistry and I will be doing face-painting and Kate will be doing more candid photography and family shoots here, putting product photography squarely in Marketing's realm.  I will also be doing commissioned artwork and already have one job for that lined up! Woot! 

Now, here's something super-cool.  (because frankly, that's the only way I roll)  We started with an Etsy store, and I will probably re-establish that in the future, however in the meantime, I've found something I like even better!

It's On Me Gifting (IOMG) is a business and app that runs on Facebook designed to promote foot traffic for local businesses (intended emphasis on the local).  (FYI, I know nothing about Groupon, but this is nothing like that! I get that question all the time!! lol)  The central idea is to be able to give a gift to a friend, via FB.  That's how it started.  So, for example, I have this Honey and he lives in another state. So I could feasibly go to the IOMG Mall, select the area HE lives in ("Browse Vendors In" at the top left), and then select something, maybe a meal (or a drink!), pay for it and he gets a message that he has a gift.  He clicks on it, prints his voucher, takes it to the local restaurant.  He shows it to them, they scan it and he gets his meal/drink.  Presto! How awesome is that?!

This was intended to help local business, but check this out:  a food bank has taken an interest in it, so people could purchase and gift a single meal for the food bank to use! Splendid!  Gifts of all kinds are popping up!  Own a business? Use your imagination and Brad, the programmer genius responsible for this wonderfulness, will put it into action!

I've put up vouchers for Face-painting---no more worrying that you don't have cash at a fair, buy the voucher for a specific service (cheek design, half-face design, full-face design) and bring it with you.  Forgot your voucher? No problem, I have a cell with internet access. I can look it up and key in the voucher number.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy for all involved! Woot! Send one to your sister (who needs to live in my area, obviously) for your niece and nephew to get their faces painted.  Great birthday gift for your grandchild.  Give a local teacher a voucher for a 1-hour session of face-painting for her class or school!  The possibilities are endless!

Now, I know you're wondering: Holy cow!! Is this in my area?!

If not, it totally could be!  Check your area in the IOMG Mall  and if you don't see your favorite local hang-out you can do one of two things: ask them if they'd PLEASE contact Brad at itsonme@playerspot.com so they can get their place of business up ASAP!  OR alternatively, YOU can contact Brad and ask if he'd be so kind (and he usually is!) to contact your favorite place to nosh/shop/hang out and see if they'd jump on the bandwagon.  Either way, it goes much faster if they know their customers are clamoring for it! 

So...go clamor!! Get it done my readers! ;)

F is for.....

Family. 

Mom, Dad, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents.  My children.  The Honey.  They have all assisted me in one way or another in the last nine months.  My children remind me why I have to keep fighting for the life I want.  The Honey, aka "The Most Patient Man in the Universe" (which is way too long for a super-hero costume), always encouraging me, right there whenever I have a positivity-shortage.

Easy My @ss!!

So, how bad is it to cook a chicken with giblets in it?


Because I can’t get them out.

Seriously. The f@#$* won’t come out.

I put it in the fridge for 22 hours, people. TWENTY-TWO.

AND I put it in cold water for two hours, using clean water every thirty minutes for two hours. (Do you have any idea how little I needed something else forcing me out of my office chair every thirty minutes?? Cuz kidlets doing that isn’t enough?)

Yeah, I used BOTH defrosting methods and those giblets were frozen to the inside of the bird.

So now, I’ve whipped off my rubber gloves in a bold move born of pure frustration: I am touching the bird with my bare hands. A raw chicken. On my hands. Are you hearing me? Cuz I’m about to ruin dinner by puking into the cavity of this bird. (Salmonella poisoning, here I come!!) I’m going to have to spray bleach *this whole area* to keep from getting sick. Not to mention my hands, which will never be clean again. And the little droplets of salmonella-laded water, which are currently flying in gentle glee everywhere, don’t even get me started on those!

Most frustrating?

It’s labeled an “EASY Roaster Chicken.”

I hate liars.

The bird is now double-ziplocked and back in the fridge.

We’ll save “easy” for tomorrow night but today?

Who’s feelin’ like a burger?