My hair got stuck in a sticky fly trap and other mishaps

Holidays can be stressful. Never fear, I've got a story to make you laugh.

There are many ways to make a great first impression. For example, look people in the eye when you speak to them and stand up straight. This week, I made the WORST first impression of my life. This is saying something because you know me, if anything can go wrong, it will. 

Lemme give you the details, I had an interview for my masters program as I graduate with my bachelor's next spring. The minute I walked in the door, I tripped over the rug. There was nothing graceful about my fall. It was one of those falls where you face plant. 

After making a remarkable entrance, I decided to whip out my hand sanitizer. Usually I can handle this task with zero issues but today I was so nervous, I squeezed the bottle and it erupted like the Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone. Even crazier, it went in my eye. Lemme tell you, hand sanitizer in your eye is horrid. At this time, I have a rug burn on my forehead from the fall and I'm squinting like a pirate due to the sanitizer.

The lady who interviewed me was so kind, I think she was mesmerized by all my mishaps. We carried on with the interview. I had no idea what I said to her questions.  I was trying to survive. Plus, I was entranced by this massive sticky fly trap near the door. This trap had hundreds of dried flies. Looking back, I should have known to stay away from the fly trap. Oh no, I was nervous and me and nervousness are not a great combination. Upon standing up to exit the building, my hair got caught in her massive sticky fly trap. 

All I could do at this point was laugh hard. The dear lady followed suit. She laughed so hard her lungs started to burn and she coughed.  Don't you just hate those days where everything goes wrong?

I have missed you all

I have been M.I.A and I am so sorry. I have been stuck in British Literature hell. This class was WAY intense, I thought Shakespeare was hard but lemme tell you, Old English is even worse. Chaucer and the dude who wrote Beowulf are all I have read for 4 months and I am so done.

Now, I am glad to be back writing this blog.  I am going to be mixing things up in the New Year.

I hope everything is well with you, my friends. You have been missed.

Embarrassing moment alert

Today I announced to some friends that I have nothing to blog about, so I'll go dark this week.

Apparently, I wrong.

I had forgotten that just last week a goat had pissed on my black booties. This is horror enough but then I was reminded of all my other nasty moments within the last few days. I'm going to make a list and maybe, just maybe you will feel incredible about your life after reading this said list.

Horridly embarrassing moments in the life of Russo

1.  The goat pissed on my new booties.

2. A donkey kicked me in the shins.

3. The girl who waxed my eyebrows went to town on my flesh. I have a horrid rash on my eyebrows.

4. I got lost in a corn maze. This is nothing huge but while getting lost, a bird crapped on my head.

5. While getting off of the public transportation, I totally tripped.

6. I fell down a tiny hill that I was climbing to see the sun rise.

7. I repeatedly bonked my head on my neighbors potted plant.

8. While walking down the stairs I bonked my head.

9. I slipped into a pile of dog crap while playing in a pile of leaves with my niece.

Recharge your batteries

We all have busy lives. We are chasing dreams and living life to the fullest. Today I realized that sometimes we have to slow things down and take time for ourselves.

Instead of going ninety miles an hour, do something that recharges you. Whether that be watching a movie, listening to music or going for a walk. Take the time to give back to yourself, my friends. You deserve it.

Congrats Mr. Caleb Warnock

My writing teacher and friend had published another fine read. Mr. Caleb Warnock wrote a book entitled,
Backyard Winter Gardening: Vegetables Fresh and Simple, in Any Climate Without Artificial Heat or Electricity the Way It's Been Done for 2,000 Years.

The thing that works so perfectly with Caleb's books is that they are easy to understand. I know nothing about winter gardening but with his instructions I wanted to tackle this task. Here is the link for the book.http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Winter-Gardening-Vegetables-Electricity/dp/1462110940/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378858941&sr=1-1&keywords=caleb+warnock

Mr. Warnock has a bunch of other books available. One of them is written with another writing friend, Melissa Richardson and it is called, The Art of Baking with Natural Yeast: Breads, Pancakes, Waffles, Cinnamon Rolls and Muffins.


I've been looking at the Backyard Winter Gardening while recovering from my surgery. I am way excited to get this book signed. Congrats Mr. Warnock. I am rooting you on the way.

*If you are into poetry, Mr. Warnock has a fabulous poetry challenge on his blog. Here is the link.http://calebwarnock.blogspot.com/2013/09/poetry-challenge-2013-useful-question.html

Robin J. Edmundson's recipe book and Jacob Dunn's Shadowhero series

Fall is the perfect time to start baking. Okay, I will not be baking because I nearly burn down the kitchen every time I try but here something that you might find interesting.  One of our friends has published a recipe book called A Simple Jar of Jam: 180+ recipes & variations for jam using low sugar pectin. 

Robin J. Edmundson, from the blog at www.rurification.com, always has interesting things that she creates. I am so excited to read this recipe bookhttp://www.etsy.com/listing/152284911/cookbook-a-simple-jar-of-jam


Also, another writer that I have mad respect for has published a great read. Jacob Dunn writes novels that always make me think. His Shadowhero series is one that I couldn't get enough of and I had to share it with y'all. http://www.amazon.com/Shadowhero-Parts-I-III-ebook/dp/B00E8HYGB0/

Facing the unknown in life

We all have lessons to learn in life; mine is that I am not in control. Right now, I am still in the throes of healing from a surgery. For some reason, my body just doesn't want to heal. I've faced 2 infections, fluid accumulation and just over all pain.

Maybe you have been in a similar situation where you have no control over the outcome. It's scary, difficult and kind of thrilling. We learn the most when we are in these types of situations. May we all have the chance to face the unknown and learn from it.

Janiel's take on the Royal baby

Our very own Janiel wrote a hysterical post on the royal baby. I had to share this link because personally I am all for naming the royal baby, "Prince George Michael Gandalf Elton Hagrid Downton Posh Doctor-Who Cumberbatch," just as Janiel suggested.

 http://www.janielmiller.com/2013/07/righteously-judging-the-royals.html

Setbacks and surgery

It has not even been 2 months since I had my surgery and today I go back under the knife. The doctor is worried about infection. Complications and setbacks are a part of life. They teach us to be stronger and they show us our strength. For me, this summer has been full of lessons, hard devastating lessons. This summer has also been beautiful. My family, my fave gnome girls and friends like you have gotten me through this trying time.

Thank you for being there for me, I'm grateful for you!

I tripped trying to get to the ice cream truck

A week before my surgery I decided to throw caution to the wind-I would do whatever my heart contented (as long as it was legal, of course.)  Not but 2 minutes after I made this decision the ice cream truck rolled by my condo.

Let's just say, I got a little too excited. I barreled down the stairs and flew out the door. I moved faster than all the children. I was moving so fast that I totally forgot that me and pavement don't mix well together.

Yep, I got skinned knee and gravel in my hair but it was totally worth it. Live in the moment, my friends. It's a total rush.

Pain produces change

Right now I am in the midst of a life changing experience. I just had surgery, nothing life threatening but man, it's good to not live in serious pain anymore. It's been a week and half of healing. I've learned to lean on people because there are times that we are not strong. We have to accept help.

You know, it's funny, all the while, I keep thinking that sometimes pain can be a good thing. Pain produces change. It is in our nature to resist change. Maybe we need to run right toward change.

Thank you for being incredible

At this moment, I am grateful for all of you. I get to share my deep thoughts with people who have become friends to me. Thank you for listening and thank you for caring.

The past 5 months have been all about learning to slow down and rest. This lesson hasn't always been easy because I want to go, go, go. They say there is a season for everything and sometimes the season is to slow things down. Take a moment to appreciate the flowers, the hot almost summer air and the beauty of living. I'm a lucky girl, it's a beautiful life.

.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALERT!

By the by . . . 

IT WAS TOTALLY RUSSO'S BIRTHDAY TODAY! YAY! I JUST GOT HOME OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN UP MUCH MUCH EARLIER!  BUT THERE'S NOTHING FROM STOPPING ALL Y'ALL FROM WISHING HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALL WEEKEND LONG, YEAH?!!

Happy Birthday to one of the coolest, funkiest, stylin'est, big-hearted-est chicks we know.

Hearts!

Janiel and Maegan

Embarrassing moment alert

This weekend I made a fool of myself at a poker tournament with the guys. Have ya'll ever tried to focus on a task while a fly is buzzing around you? For some reason the task becomes impossible to accomplish. Usually, I let the fly buzz around with no problem but this day was different. I was on a roll with poker.

Instead of letting the fly buzz around, I decided to take that the bug out. Nothing was going to ruin my focus. I gripped the fly swatter and waited for him to land on a surface. Too bad my brain was hyped up on adrenaline because the minute the fly landed on the light bulb, I swung.

Yep, I forgot that the surface was a light bulb. Needless to say, you can imagine everyone's surprise when they heard the sound of breaking glass. I took that fly out as well as the light bulb.

I should have been focusing on my game but instead I let that fly get on my nerves. As a result, I got ribbed the whole entire night about the light bulb. Yep. lesson learned; do not focus on the small stuff.

What is luck?

Today is a reminder that life is short. You have to live every moment like it's your last. It's sounds cliche but it's true.

Today a friend lost her life. She went in for surgery and didn't wake up. She's young, not but 3 years older than me. All the while I sit here and think how lucky we all are to be alive.

We are lucky to see the sunset and feel the chill of night. We often think of luck in terms of money or status but luck doesn't work that way. Today is a day to hug your loved ones. We are all lucky, more so than we believe.

Momentum & congrats to Mr. Caleb Warnock

While chasing our dream we have to remember on simple rule- never underestimate the power of momentum. No matter where you are in the journey of pursuing your dream you need to trust in yourself.

You may be down for the count or ridiculously tired of the rejection but none of that matters in the end. Momentum has a way of propelling you to greatness. One moment you could be ready to quit your dream and the next you could be on the cusp of everything you ever wanted. 

You just have to keep going, keep fighting. Sooner or later, momentum will find you. 

PS-Major congrats to Mr. Caleb Warnock for signing a contract for six new books. This man has been our writing mentor (L.G.L.I for short) and dear friend. We're so happy for you!

http://calebwarnock.blogspot.com/2013/03/i-signed-contracts-for-six-new-books.html

Embarrassing moment alert

This Saturday I walked around a grocery store with apricot facial scrub all over my hair. Let me give you the dirt. Have you ever had one of those nights were you just can't sleep? You try warm milk, deep breathing and sleep aids but nothing works. Well, that would be my weekend. Apparently, I was so sleep deprived that I washed my hair with my gritty facial scrub. 

I walked around everywhere with my mother. I helped her shop, get her hair dyed and ate frozen yogurt. It wasn't until the end of the day that she noticed mid bite of yogurt that I had the scrub in my hair. I looked like I slept the night on the beach. Yeah, it was that bad. 

My friends, long days are gonna find us while we chase our dream. There are gonna be embarrassing moments as a result. I say, embrace the crazy times.  

Death and friendship

There are some people that come into your world and you will never be the same again. I'm not one to hold back my feelings. I'll be honest and say, this week has been an emotional rollercoaster. On Monday night I found out that someone very dear to me passed away. I don't know about you but grief is exhausting.

As I lay on my round velvet bed, thinking of Mr. R I got a text from both of my gnomies. Their kind words comforted me during a hard time. My friends, there will be certain things that we go through in life that seem insurmountable but we can't ever forget one truth; we are not alone. In our darkest moments, those dearest to you will buoy you up.

Monique Bucheger, Middle Grade author

Want a chance to win an Amazon gift card or a free set of books? Check out the blog of Monique Bucheger. She's a great author and friend.  moniquebucheger.blogspot.com

*The giveaway ends On February 1st. * Monique is an author who knows how to work hard. It's been incredible to watch her journey in the literary world.  She's not the kind to let success go to her head. She's helped many people along the way. And many a times she's helped me figure out what to do with my own writing. 

At the moment, Monique's running a blog tour to promote her books. Her most current one, Simply West of Heaven is something that my little niece adored. She wants horses so she can be like Ginnie West. My niece is anxious for Monique to return to Utah so she can meet her fave author. (I don't blame her, I wanna see Monique too.)

Major congrats, Monique. We're rooting you on all the way.

A fave Author and believe in your self

I've been in a serious reading mood lately and my fave author's right now is Candace Gleave. She has a way with writing fresh and real characters. Plus, she always chooses stunning scenery to mesh with her books. In her latest short story, Scarecrows: The Jilted Bride, she combined weddings and freaky scarecrows to make for a freaky ambience.

All her books make for a good read.
Here's a link if you are curious. http://www.amazon.com/Screams-Night-Terror-Prose-Design/dp/1479190497/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1357605916&sr=8-7&keywords=screams+in+the+night


The New Year has brought many surprises. My little brother gave me a card that read: I will always believe in you. One little sentence struck such a nerve with me. I needed to hear his words. We all have a dream that we are pursuing. We give our heart and energy toward this one goal. We need people to believe in us but we also have to believe in ourselves.

Maybe you want to be a writer, artist or whatever just know that your dream is not out of reach.

You can be whatever it is you want to be but you have to believe in yourself.

My holiday filled with 50 Shades, erupting chocolate pots and more

Before I forget, I wanted to send a major congrats to a good writing friend, Monique Bucheger. Her first novel The Secret Sisters Club was nominated for a 2012 Whitney Award. For anyone who wants to read her novel here is a link on Amazon.http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Sisters-Club-Adventure-ebook/dp/B007IK2WF6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357177594&sr=1-1&keywords=the+secret+sisters+club

So my good friends, did ya survive the holidays? I hope the festive season treated you well. Me on the other hand, the holidays were an adventure. I got covered in chocolate while sitting at the dinner table.

Here are the details; every Christmas eve my family does a fondue meal. We have boiling pots of cheese, beef broth and more. This year we decided to try a chocolate pot. And that didn't work. Did you know that a boiling pot of chocolate will explode? Well, it does.

I was the first to try the pot of chocolate. I had my marshmallow on my fork ready to dip it in the chocolate. Looking back, I should've lightly plopped the marshmallow in the chocolate but nooo, I had to all out jam the marshmallow in the pot. Needless to say, the pot erupted like a volcano. I had chocolate in my hair and dripping down my cheek.

If that wasn't bad enough we all had an enlightening dinner discussion, my cousin gave the whole story line of Fifty Shades of Grey. Aren't you jealous?

The holidays are always filled with hijinxs. I hope you had a great holiday season. Here's hoping 2013 treats everyone well.