So This Is Christmas...

Hey y'all!! Deek and I have been crazy busy, so the blog is a little lacking. I got a last minute, end-of-the-year editing project, and I'm been heads down focusing on that amidst the normal Christmas fray. Meanwhile, Deek has bee busy editing my still nameless Molly and Ryder story!

But I'm happy to report that we are completely done with our Christmas shopping (and came in *under* budget--YAY Dave Ramsey)! So, now we can relax and enjoy the holiday festivities until the Big Day arrives.

We went on a holiday lights tour and had a blast!

This will be my first Christmas without PaPa, and I must admit, I'm having trouble getting into the jolliness of the season. See, not only is PaPa gone but things are changing because of it. Our annual family Christmas Day gathering will be no more. Thanksgiving and Easter will be at someone else's house, if they continue at all. All these traditions which so defined my childhood, my life, are slipping away. I've always partially defined myself by the big ole, loving Southern family I come from. Without spending time with them at every holiday, a big part of me is changing, forever altered. I know I'll still see them, but it will be different. I'm usually one who can roll with change pretty well, but I'm having trouble adjusting to this particular one.

Add about a hundred more people, and that's my family...

I hope and pray that the generation before me (my mom's generation) will keep the family gatherings and traditions alive. I'm thankful to my Aunt Tammy and my I-don't-even-know-what-level cousin Marion for offering their homes to ensure the family celebrates Christmas Eve together as we always have. They're stepping up, and I'm beyond grateful that not everything died alongside PaPa. He would be proud of his baby girl for keeping the family together at Christmas. So, a big PaPa thumbs-up to Tammy! <3

Isn't my aunt purty? And my PaPa...oh my PaPa...

Deek and I set aside a budget for Christmas adventures, and we've been enjoying that random sprinkling of fun inside the holiday bustle. We've been keeping up regular traditions and adding news ones as we find them. This is wonderful time of year for traditions, and we're big on that! :)

We miss Portland, so we're trying to get a downtown experience in the South.

It's so not the same, but it'll do for now.

Deek and I got coffee and had a walking Christmas lights date!

Got to sit on the Big Man's lap and make my Christmas wish.

I asked him to keep my whole big family together for the holidays, and he said he'd do his best!

Thanks, Santa!

My hubster surprised me with a lunch date.

I LOVE spending time with this amazing man, y'all!

And we've been checking out Christmas lights at all the local "best spots."

We saw some that have been featured on TV!

Even Shakespeare got in on the lights action!

I don't know if I'll post again before Christmas, or even the week after Christmas since Deek has the whole week off (SQUEE), but I wish you and yours the happiest of holidays!! If you lost someone precious this year, I feel your pain and sorrow. I really and truly do. But gather those you still have into your arms and squeeze them extra tight. Because when you strip away the tinsel, lights, and gifts, Christmas is about family and love. So love on that family of yours with all your might.

And I'll be over here loving on mine. My parents, my Mema, my immediate family, my big ole extended family, and my beloved, beloved Deek! Despite the pain of losing PaPa, I know I'm epically blessed to have my family and Deek's family so full and present in our lives. And that joy will glow inside me--past the pain, past the hustle and bustle--forever!

This man, y'all. This amazing, astounding, out-of-this-world man!

No matter what's going on, we always find a way to laugh.

I love you, my Deek. Now and #always!

Until next time...Happiest of Holidays from our family to yours! 

Where Is Erin?

Did you ever read Where's Waldo or play Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? I feel a little like it's been "where's Erin" in the social media world lately. Well, I have an answer. Deek and I moved!

Again? Yep. And this time, we're staying in one place for a while. Putting down roots.

via GIPHY

You may remember that Deek and I had no interest in ever owning a home again. We love the footloose and fancy-free renter's life...BUT we have dreams of a vagabond lifestyle in the future. While we would love for our writing and my editing business to foot the bill for that future life, we are realistic and understand we need to plan for it. Enter homeownership (ie: our savings plan for the future).

via GIPHY

Since we were reluctant to dip our toe into the homeownership world, we decided to go halfsies and get a town home. It's part renter life, part home owner life. And it provides us both financial and time freedom. We are active and like to do and explore, and the low cost (less than rent--woot!) and low maintenance of a town home allows us to really live like we want to.

via GIPHY

So, where has Erin been? Moving! Is she still surrounded by boxes? Nope. Deek and I worked hard and got everything set up. We've been here approximately a week and have already had an overnight houseguest and thrown a luncheon for Deek's work friends. So, we've already started living in this home we've purchased together. 

You'll likely see Deek and me back on social media very soon. We have some exciting adventures lined up in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Until next time, live out loud!

Snow Fun, A Book Release, and A Hair Experiment

Hello, folks! It's been a while since I've done an actual post because I'm helping promote my peeps Jess Calla and S. Usher Evans and their new books, The Love Square and The Island! For those that don't know, Jess is my intern at BookFish Books, and she also happens to be a brilliant, swoony romance writer. She has a book coming out soon called She Laughs In Pink, and I have a huge book crush on Chase! And S. Usher Evans is an indie author who is always there to lend a hand to other authors. She helped Deek and I a lot with the process portion of Birth. Great ladies with great books!

The Book Release 

As you probably know from my Twitter, Facebook, blog, and Instagram gushing, Birth of an American Gigolo is available for sale! <happy dance>

Here it is on release day--dropped right onto my Kindle app! Isn't technology grand?

I waited until Deek went to sleep, and then I snuck downstairs to make him this sign. I hung it over the coffee pot where I knew he'd see it. LOL!

That night, we celebrated the release at our favorite paleo friendly restaurant. 

And we lit our "Rhew power R."

A few days later, the proof for the print version arrived. Birth should be available in print on February 16!

I ADORE this look of happiness and pride on his face. There is nothing quite like holding your book in your hands for the first time. 

Even Trinna baby got into the action by giving her Daddy's book a look-see! 

In the midst of all this excitement, Deek and I went on a couple of adventures, and I agreed to be part of a hair experiment.

The Hair Experiment

So, you know I decided to go with gray streaks in my hair. Well...that was a fail. It lasted about one and a half weeks before it turned into a brassy gold. I really don't like brass gold. So, I texted my hair dresser and asked what we could do about it. She told me to come in next time Deek got his haircut because she had a proposition for me. At Deek's appointment, I showed up, and she said, "How do you feel about blue hair?" LOL! Blue IS my favorite color, so I agreed. She told me that this new product had come out where you get a small bit of dye put in at the salon then take home a bottle of creamy dye you apply every night in the shower. AND she said if I agreed to test it out and send her pics of my hair's progress, I could get it all done for free. Um, yes. I am always up for a hair experiment, and a free dye job at that? Double yes. 

So, we did the in-salon dye. It was a light powdery blue but appeared more gray, which I was fine with because I'd wanted gray.

Then things started to go downhill. The at-home color didn't take nearly as well as the salon color, and I ended up with a half brassy blonde, half powder blue, half pool green hair. Eep!

My funky colored head at the gym.

After a couple weeks of trying, the color never improved to the powder blue the company promised. So, my hairdresser said she'd gotten what she needed experiment-wise and asked if I could stop using the product and see how long it takes to wash out. I'm on day three, and it's still not completely faded.

And since I was such a good sport, I soon had an appointment to get my next hair idea implemented: Ombre. My hair has taken a bit of a beating these past two years with the blonde and purple fun I've been having, and the pieces that have been stripped of color over and over again are pretty wrecked. So, we're going to do the ombre look where the top of the head is dark and fades to a lighter color. That way, my hair on top can recover as it grows out, and we'll just cut off the damaged layers as they grow out. Win/win. I hope! I want dark on the top fading to a blonde. Fingers crossed it works! 

Fort Vancouver

Deek and I made plans to go to dinner with one of his friends up in Vancouver, Washington. And since I've never seen Vancouver, we decided to go up there early and explore before dinner. Well, when we asked a bunch of different people about the best places to go in Vancouver, every one of them scoffed and said, "It's no Portland." LOL! A little Pacific Northwest rivalry going on? Then, Deek remembered he'd gone to Fort Vancouver as a child and wanted to know if I'd be interested in seeing it. I'm interested in seeing everything, so we went.

Outhouse. Someone, please explain this to me. Is it a choose-your-own-butt-size situation or a tandem bathroom experience situation. Either way...gah!

This cannon was probably a lot bigger to Deek when he was a child. LOL!

Jailbird 1

Jailbird 2

This was the mural on the ceiling in the women's bathroom. I kid you not. I *may* have snuck into the men's bathroom to see if they had the same decor. Spoiler: they do.

I love all my adventures with Deek. He's my heart and soul in human form. <swoony eyes>

Snow Fun

As you know, I'm Southern. So, when the white, fluffy flakes of frozen precipitation fall from the sky, it shuts down our lives. People wreck all over the place, we're stuck inside with our bread and milk (running Southern joke--the stores sell out of these two items first), and we freeze. Seriously, it's like a terrible treasure hunt just to try and find a pair of non-knit gloves where I'm from.

So, when Deek suggested we go snow tubing, I admit to being less than enthused. But he promised me that the proper gear makes all the difference. Per his instructions to find thermals and waterproof boots (I've never owned a pair of waterproof boots), I took a trip to the thrift store ('cause Dave Ramsey) and found what we needed for next to nothing.

The day arrived, and I still dreaded the thought of being wet and cold in the snow. But I pulled up my big girl panties and decided to make the best of it.

Southern girl about to go in the snow. And of course I wore pigtails because that's what they always wear in ski movies. LOL! 

We arrived.

And you know what? Deek was right. The proper gear makes ALL the difference. With waterproof boots, my feet--which normally freeze so bad I can't stand it--stayed warm. The thermal layers kept me toasty, and I even got hot pulling the tube back up the mountain with each round. Guess what? I had a complete and total blast. I totally didn't expect to enjoy it, but I REALLY did. And while we were there, it started snowing. Rather than groan and grumble, I watched it in awe. It's so beautiful and elegant when you're not worried about being stuck in your house for days and freezing every time you step outside. What a difference...

He's so swoony!

I love snow adventures! Who would have thunk it?

OMG! Huckleberry Inn. 

Yes and yes. I so love Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday in Tombstone. 

"I'm your huckleberry, and that's just my game."

Date Night

Then one day, Deek and I got the chance to go on an unexpected middle-of-the-week date. As we do, we headed to our favorite big city and explored the nooks and crannies together. We walked hand-in-hand, talked, and laughed a lot. Our dates don't have to be anything big or expensive. I just want time with my one and only. Time with my best friend, lover, and life partner. People, he's the most amazing man, and I'm so honored to be his wife! 

Me and my love on our impromptu date

And before I sign off...

An adorable picture of Trinity...just because.

I can't stand the cutest! 

Until next time, live out loud. Try new things. Love your people with all your might. Thanks for reading! 

Things Change

A week ago today, I got the call that my grandfather was being rushed to the hospital for complications from pneumonia. I'd heard the day before that he'd come down with pneumonia but seemed to be doing fine, so the news shocked me. I know my grandfather is 83, but he's always been such a rock to me. More tests revealed he'd suffered a mild heart attack and may have a heart condition. He spent nearly a week in the hospital and has to go back to see a cardiac specialist after Christmas. But he's home and alive. I'm grateful.

It's so crazy to think you can just be living you life one day and then have something snatch the rug out from under you. For those that don't know, my mom was a single mom for quite some time. She met my stepdad (whom I call my dad) when I was little, but they didn't marry for a while. So, my grandfather, PaPa, has always been one of the most important men in my life. He's generous, loving, and hysterical. From the time I could walk, I followed him around, and he proudly took me places and bragged about his "Babydoll." 

And now he's sick, and I'm 3,000 miles away. I can't really describe how that makes me feel. Heartbroken. Terrified. Like I might cry at the drop of a hat. Like I'm willing to overcome my fear of flying for the chance to wrap my arms around his neck one more time. 

But I'm beyond thankful for modern technology. When my parents visited him yesterday, I got the chance to FaceTime. My gaze darted all over his face for evidence of injury, yet he looked fine. He told me he felt weak and tired, but he still made jokes and made me laugh. 

I know people don't live forever (much to my chagrin), but the world needs my PaPa's light a little longer. My family needs his light a little longer. I need his light a little longer. So, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate if you'd send up a prayer or good vibe or whatever you believe in for my PaPa. He's an incredibly special man who'd give you the shirt off his back. Thank you!

 My PaPa

Despite everything, Deek and I have been trying to get into the Christmas spirit (though I must admit I'm still not quite there yet). Here are some pics of our latest adventures...

We celebrated Deek's birthday earlier this month!

We went to the tree lighting ceremony in our little town.

Had a date to finish up the last bit of Christmas shopping. We got it ALL done the first week of December (and came in under budget--Yay, Dave Ramsey!), so we're just chillin' the rest of the month. 

Got a free Christmas tree thanks to our old realtor and got our "ornament of the year" to go on it. It says "Best Friends" because that's truly at the core of our marriage. 

Deek snuck a kiss while we waited for a Christmas performance to begin.

We had some of Deek's college friends over for dinner, and they brought 15 (!!) books for me to sign. SO thrilled and so thankful to have supportive friends!

I also sold out of all the copies I have at home of The Fulfillment Series, so THANK YOU to everyone who bought signed copies for Christmas!! 

Even though our trip to San Francisco got cancelled, I still decided to go with the silver and black hair! Experimenting with hair color is so fun!

Surprised my hubby at work with his favorite blend of coffee. People, I am truly married to the greatest man alive, and I always want him to know how much I love and value him.

Found this little princess under the tree. Awwww!

Went to see Star Wars The Force Awakens the night BEFORE its official release. Deek and I braved the torrential rain and flooded roads to behold the greatness of the force.

Since we don't have the stress of shopping hanging over our heads, we can take our time and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. Here's Deek with these creepy mannequins. LOL!

Fa-la-la-llama socks...just what every girl needs. 

It started snowing...IN the mall! 

We went to see the ZooLights with Deek's family. They rode the public transit with us--their first time! Such a fun-filled, memorable family night! I love my family, and boy do I love my husband. #LuckyWoman

Trippy!! The lights display transported us to Star Trek's warp speed AND gifted me with creepy vampire eyes. Winning! LOL!

This post may be my last before Christmas, so let me take the time to say Happy Holidays to all my readers, friends, and family. I hope your holiday is filled with laughter and love. I'm thankful that my grandfather will celebrate this Christmas at home with the rest of the family, and I'm excited to start another new year with Deek by my side.