a book that is fab

Guess what!  My gal pal, Holly, just self published an amazing book!  It's called 5 Things- Holiday Style: Making the Season Meaningful.  Affordable.  Unforgettable.  It is a 3 month holiday celebration guide full of traditions, recipes, and stories that will make you laugh and cry!  (Cry in a good way, of course... not the ugly cry.) The best thing is the traditions and activities are applicable to every age and stage of life.  This books is for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles... anyone who wants to use it, really.  Holly is the type of friend who always has goooood ideas that are thoughtful, timeless and deeply significant.  She is the reason why my family and I write a prayer to Jesus and keep it in our Christmas stocking year after year.  The first year we did this, our child (who was unable to write at the time) dictated 4 pages of notes!  Talk about precious!!!  

I just got my 2011 prayer out of my stocking and read it.  It touches me to the core and moves me to tears.  I can see so many prayers answered as well as areas where I am still growing and learning.  I tell ya, a tradition like that is invaluable.  Holly also introduced me to the term "age appropriate" (which we use like gangbusters around these parts) and her delectable pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  I eat the cookies in one bite I don't even like pumpkin.  They're that good.  

I'm not telling you about this book because Holly is my friend.  I mean, that's part of it, but really, I'm sharing it with you because it is fabulous and you know I love to share the good stuff!  This book is like a cheat sheet of  delicious eats, games, anecdotes, traditions and fun for every budget and stage of life.  5 Things- Holiday Style encompasses all that we all deeply desire to give, experience and share with the people we love year after year.  It encourages faith, love and provides the mechanics to create awesome opportunities for memory making.  All the tips, tidbits and traditions apply to both older and younger children, so everybody is included!  My bragging doesn't even do it justice, so please check it out for yourself!  If you're interested, you can order it on Amazon or Create Space.  I bought a copy for myself and a copy for a friend.  It's that fab!  You'll love it!  Pinky swear!

subconsciously ticked?

So the other day I woke up subconsciously ticked.  You know when you're pissed off internally, but you have yet to fully acknowledge or realize it?  This is what I call being subconsciously ticked.  You're slightly irritated, annoyed or heated but the reason why has yet to surface.  I hope you catch my drift... but anyways, like I said, I woke up SubT and now as I reflect, this may or may not've had to do with any of the following:

It was hot.  Way hot.  Hottttttttttttt.com 

Seriously.  There were wildfires blazing outta control, the sky was shades of black, gray and burnt umber AND homes were being burnt to the ground.  Literally.  We were praying for rain.  Still are.  

Turns out editing a book is much more time consuming in real life than it is in my dreams.  

I got rear-ended (again!) while stopped at a redlight.  Boohiss.

I could add more things (I am an HSP... my neck and low back are hurting... what is it about soreness hitting the day--and subsequent days--after?) but I won't... even though I kinda just did hahaha

When I sat down to attend a wedding just days after aforementioned rear-ending, that is when I realized that I was SubT...  

(You may not know this about me, but weddings are my favvvvv. I would get married every year (to the same man!) if I could.  I simply adore weddings.  The decorations, the covenant, a promise to love, honor, cherish and forsake all others, a new family forming, a new beginning... a gloriously extravagant display of Love.  It makes my heart swoon every time.)  

credit

...So as I witnessed holy matrimony, I released and let go of my SubT because once again I realized: Love Wins.  It sounds romantically hopeless, I know, but it is the truth.  Love always wins.  Always.  Wins.  And weddings symbolize this eternal truth.  As I sat in the lovely love-drenched atmosphere, SubT gave way to joy and gratitude.  Stories and laughter  filled the air as I engaged in heart felt conversation with friends who are like family.  These joys replaced  displaced SubT.  Thankfully.

Then came an overabundance of even more smile-inducing memories:

geeking out at the coffee shop with my twinnnn

"stim cells" -- electronic stimulatory goodness for a sore back

dinner with precious peeps 

holding a handsomely perfect six week old baby boy 

G.I. Joe missions galore

manicures and pedicures

flip flops

yoga

family

friends

wedding cake

a sweet baby girl fast asleep in my arms

friends who watch your dog for you when you're out of town (even though you always forget to ask until the last minute) 

a good book

cream and sugar with a little bit of coffee

road trips!

sincerely heartfelt conversation

and then just a few moments ago, this video: 

No need to be subconsciously ticked, see?  
"Let's look at the world a little differently" 
because Love is super legit and it wins, yall.  
Now.  Later.  Or in the End.  

Love wins.   XO Sharita

love at first sight

Corduroy = love at first sight  

Have you ever read this book?  It is phenomenal.  One of my most beloved childhood stories.  While perusing the used book store the other day, I almost passed out and pooped my pants when I came across it.  It was one of those never-gonna-forget-this moment-of-destiny type thing and if I could do a high pitched scream, I would have done it right then and there.  For the record, I have never been able to do a high pitch scream. Never.  I am always amazed (and somewhat irritated) at folks who can.  Anyhow, Corduroy is a wonderful story about love, hope, adventure and happily ever after.  Those are always the best kinds of stories.  I've read it several times to my young'un and several times by myself.  It's that good.  If you haven't read it before, well, you've just gotta!  I'd love to say I'll let you borrow mine, but with lying being wrong and all... here's a link where you can purchase a copy of your own or hit up a local (new or used) bookstore to see what childhood treasure you find.  

What was your favorite childhood story?