Sunday, September 3, 2017

Birthdays, Figet Spinners, and a Giveaway

So, one of the problems with having a birthday a day before the last day of the month is that it makes it so I have two blog posts very close together. But that's ok, right? I mean, your weekend wouldn't be complete without a monthly overview of August from me, right? *cough* ANYWAYS...

(Plus, if you make it through to the end of my ramblings, you'll find a lovely surprise...not that I'm BRIBING you or anything...)


Summer is almost over guys. *distant weeping* Flip-flops, sunshine, and extra time to spend with friends and family is morphing into boots, rain, and school. But, some of that won't be so bad...and when has a little rain kept me from wearing flip-flops? Maybe my favorite season is over...but my next favorite season is just around the corner with awesome fashion changes and, let's face it, who doesn't like a good pumpkin spice latte? :P (Except those of you who don't like coffee...but you're crazy anyways, so whatever.)

With college life driving me slightly insane, I figured it was time for a little update on how I'm still alive and surviving. (Which goes to show, if I can do college and a writer's life at the same time, SO CAN YOU SO NO EXCUSES.) Let's jump right in, shall we?

~ Life ~
August started out kind of normal, but that changed the second week with our VBS program at church. Despite new management from a younger couple, it was pulled off extraordinarily well. I enjoyed every minute of taking "my kids" around to all the activities and having a whole week where I saw my friends every day. Exhausting, yes, but SO MUCH FUN.
Amidst babysitting and helping grandparents and family, I've tried to read, write, and do college...not all at once, I promise. It's been hectic, but I've learned a lot about life as an adult.
Us girls headed out to Port Gamble, location of the best UK store I've ever been too. There I ordered more Scottish fudge and English crumpets.
Crumpets are EXCELLENT when topped with some butter and raspberry jam/lemon curd. :)
Besides that, we took pictures by flowers ('cause why not) and ate ice cream ('cause DUH).



Our family went to the Kitsap County Fair, along with cousins and "my girls" that I babysit. :) Loads of cheap, free stuff and bags of cotton candy later, we headed home after a fun-filled day petting various animals (we did not pet the tiger...much as I wanted too.)and eating junk food.
Yeah, I got within five feet of a live tiger.
Totally not freaked out by that look in her eyes.




No trip to a fair is complete without cotton candy. ;)

My brothers discovered and bought (I'm not kidding) two pet sugar gliders that were being sold there, and although one of them died a few days later, which was very sad, the other one is still alive and as adorable as ever.


Guys, these pets are seriously amazing. Look them up and sigh with me over their incredible cuteness. We're hoping to get poor Max another one soon since apparently these critters have a decent warranty.  




Last week our family went to Northwest Trek and came within ten feet of a bunch of cool animals like bison, mountain goats, wolves, cougars, skunks, porcupines, lynx, beavers, golden eagles, bobcats, black bears, elk, and caribou. Though the day was a particularly hot one, we still enjoyed getting close to some of God's amazing creations.
After that we met and hung out with a local pastor's family who lived in the area. Yeah, we never turn down a chance to spend time with other likeminded Christians. ;) Besides...pizza and hilarious fellowship made a perfect end to our day. :P

Lastly, I kinda had a birthday...in case you hadn't noticed. XD Still feel like an eighteen-year-old. That probably won't change for another couple months. But I think I'll get used to being nineteen eventually. The scariest thought is that I'm turning twenty next year. Like, HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE??!!!? *freaks out* Ok, deep breath...that's not happening for another year. I've got time. (I got a fidget spinner for my birthday. That's really the only reason I put it in the title. I didn't realize how fun those things could actually be! I can kind of see why they're popular?)
Go Huskies! ;)

Well, August was definitely no less busy than any other month of this year. It had its moments of relaxation...though few and far between. Its been crazy, but fun. Am I looking forward to having a little more structure in my life since the school year is starting for our family? Actually, yes. Despite being a naturally NON-structured person, nothing helps keep priorities straight like a schedule. So maybe I'll actually get some decent writing done this month...along with studying for college classes and doing my job well and spending time with family and making some kind of dent in my TBR list and...ok so I guess we'll have to see. ;)

~ Writing ~
Well, as you know, I got to 20,000 words in my current WIP, "A New Name"...well, that number has changed. Not by much...but every little bit counts. :) I'm at close to 25,000 now, and I'm hoping to add 10,000 by the end of this month. I actually know where I'm headed next with the plot, which gives my writing a HUUUUGE advantage. Nothing like knowing where I'm headed in a book to keep the words count building at a steady rate. I'm hoping to give y'all snippets at roughly every 20,000 words, but we'll have to see if I can keep to that schedule.

~ Editing ~
Well, due to an insane life recently, I haven't gotten nearly enough time to spend on hardcore editing. I'm hoping to get Ocean Mist edited by the end of fall, and ready for publication in time for Christmas, but that's only a hope at this point. Due to some medical issues with grandparents, our family is being stretched a bit thin. Prayer for us and my grandparents would be appreciated. <3

~ Reading ~
*distant, maniacal laughter* Let's just say reading is not really happening for me right now. I'm in middle of, like, five different books...non of which I've had time to finish. I finally got my review for "London in the Dark" up on Amazon and Goodreads, and I started a book called "Story Thieves" which I picked up kind of at random at the library. So far its been an pretty good read...but I need to finish it before it's due. *gulp* The other book I'm in middle of is "The Old-fashioned Etiquette of Falling in Love" by Eric Ludy (he also wrote "When God Writes Your Love Story"). Guys, its AMAAZING. I've only gotten in about five or so chapters and I love it! The way he writes is so much fun to read and his sense of humor is awesome! Definitely recommend it, even though I should probably wait to do that until I've finished reading it. *whistles and looks into sky*

~ Music ~



~ Quotes ~
I'm going to give you some of my favorite quotes from my WIP, "A New Name". Let me know which one was your favorite! :)




This last one made me laugh. Hope it makes you laugh too. ;)


~ Goals Reached ~
1: Write five chapters in "A New Name"
(Well, so I didn't FINISH writing five chapters...but the fifth chapter is STARTED. That counts, right?)
2: Read 5+ books
HA. Yeah, nope.
3: Visit the Scottish/Irish/English store in Port Gamble again
Done and DONE. Got me some Scottish fudge and crumpets. ;)
4: Write a poem/compose a song
I did write a poem. On Evangelism. It'll be posted on here sometime this month probably. ;)
5: Finish surviving my eighteenth year! ;) 
YES. I DID. Barely...but I DID. XD

Heyyy...four out of five! Not bad...not bad at all! ;) Wish me luck for this month's set of goals! I set myself some hefty ones.

~ Goals for September ~
1: Write 10,000 words in "A New Name"
2: Read 5+ books
3: Take (and hopefully pass) 2 college CLEP tests
4: Keep up better with out of state pen/email pals
5: Do some hardcore editing on "Ocean Mist"

Speaking of my birthday...we were, weren't we? Well, even if we weren't...I'm hosting a giveaway!!!!! *fanfare, confetti, and the works* I'm giving away one copy each of three of my books: "The Silver Flower", "Alice & Alyssa", and "The Princess and I". You're welcome to enter any and all of the giveaways ONCE. And please, feel free to share about this giveaway. It'll only help. ;) So without further ado...

~ Giveaway ~
That moment you've all been waiting for... (Or, you know, you might have just scrolled to the bottom, skipping every golden word I've typed before this...in which case, shame on you! Go back and read EVERYTHING ELSE. Then come back and enter this giveaway. ;)
Our cat decided to pose right next to my books while I was trying to take pictures of them...so helpful, Mouser... >_<

I'm going to give you the link to each Rafflecopter giveaway (still haven't figured out how to embed these thingies into my blog) and let the fun begin!!!

First giveaway: An autographed copy of "The Silver Flower"!
Second giveaway: An autographed copy of (my yet to be released) "Alice & Alyssa"!
Third (and final) giveaway: An autographed copy of my newest novel "The Princess and I"!

All three Giveaways go through the end of September. I'll announce (and afterwards email) the winners during my monthly overview post. So hurry and enter and share with as many people as possible. Let's see how many entrees I can get, k? :P

Until next time, let everything you do be done for the glory of God!

46 comments:

  1. I think I said happy birthday before but I have terrible memory so: HAPPY HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY, GIRL!!! :D Loved seeing the photos, God's animals are incredible. :) And very cute lil' pet omgoshhh.
    I'll be praying for your family and grandparents. And you- you're inspirational, the way you're doing school and writing and being with family all at once. :)

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    1. Aw, thank you! :D I know, riiiight?? Still can't get over their cuteness.
      I really appreciate that, more than you know. Thanks so much. ^_^

      Delete
  2. Oops, also: my favorite thing about fall? How can I choose just one?! Here's a short list. ;) Golden, red, brown, yellow leaves. Hot coffee and hot coco while watching rain fall outside. The cool nip in the air. Wearing warm, cute clothes.
    I love all the seasons but am PUMPED for fall. =D

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    1. *nods throughout comment* Yes to ALL THAT. :P

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  3. Oh goodness...I want a sugar glider tooooooo! OH! They're so cute!!
    Anthem Lights!! Aren't they amazing? I love all the hymns they've done. Their harmonies are fantastic. :D
    And don't you start talking about how OLD you'll be next year. *newly turned 20-year-old glares*
    *mumbles: young whippersnappers.* ;P
    Anywho, Happy (a little late) Birthday! :D

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    1. Aren't they just the cutest lil' things? ;)
      YES. I'm a sucker for good harmony. :P
      *laughs* Funny story...I was talking with my seven-year-old niece the other day and age somehow came up. When she asked me how old I was (at the time, I was still eighteen) and I told her, she gave me this look of awe and said, "Wow! You're almost OLD!" That cracked me up. XD
      Thanks so much! ^_^

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  4. Happy birthday, Rebekah! :) And just to give you a hint, I didn't feel 18 until I was about 22. So you have a few years to go. ;)
    Fun post, and yes, I read it all the way through.

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    1. Thank you! :) Oh good...a nice long time to get used to the idea. Excellent. ;)
      Haha good for you! :D Have some cake and ice cream! ;)

      Delete
  5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY YAYYYY *showers you in virtual confetti* *...less mess*

    My favorite thing about fall? Hmm... well, aside from the cooler weather and the birthdays that take place in our family during the fall, I love pumpkin-flavored things, Thanksgiving, and the color schemes!! (none of the trees really change here, but everyone's decorations do xD)

    ~ Abby {novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com}

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    1. *Dances in virtual confetti* THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! :D

      Oooo, yes to all that. Definitely. *nods* Thanks for your comment! :)

      Delete
  6. I love that mashup by Anthem Lights!!! Or if im being honest everything by Anthem Lights:)
    I too have mixed feelings about fall. Although I love it I still feel summer calling me. ;) BUT now pumpkin spice lattes now they are something to look forward too!!
    -Janelle
    The Ramblings of a Bookworm
    《tps://rozandnellie.blogspot.com/?m=1》

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    1. I know, their stuff is really good. :)
      *sniffs at summer disappearing* I agree with you wholeheartedly. ;)

      Delete
  7. I'm think I need a fidget spinner... xD Fav things about fall: Cool weather, school, fall colors/leaves, the month of October.

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    1. If you get one, your life will never be the same...*ominous voice*
      HOW COULD SCHOOL BE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS??? *cough* Never mind. To each their own. ;) The world needs people who love school...otherwise none of us would ever learn anything new. ;)

      Delete
  8. Awesome giveaway! A lot of my friends have R&R your books, and I'd like to join the throng. :)

    Seneca
    (blog under reconstruction)

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    1. Aw, thanks! It makes me happy to see friends spreading the news about my books. Makes my author heart feel very special. ^_^ Good luck in the giveaway! :D

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  9. Oh, and favorite thing about fall- Maybe Thanksgiving with my family? But definitely, where I live, the cooler weather...

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    1. Oh, you must live in one of those HOT states. ;) My older sister lives in Georgia, so we've heard how miserable summer can be down there. I can see why you'd be looking forward to the cooler weather. :)

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  10. Ok, so idk if anyone's ever thought of this but... the first thing I thought about when I saw those sugar glider chipmunk-looking-thingys was those little creatures from the Chuck Black book, Sir Quinlan. XD #randomfactoftheday
    HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY!! May your 19th year be full of chocolate and Starbucks and whatever else floats your boat (Or, as my family would say, whatever bloats your goat). XD

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    1. Haha, I wonder if that's where he got his inspiration! ;P
      Aw, thank you so much! :) Chocolate and coffee? Who could ask for anything more? :P

      Delete
  11. Annnnnnd, my fav thing about fall? Being able to go barefoot outside without burning my feet on the sidewalk, beautiful colors (even though our colors are either brown or dead usually XD), cool weather, and THE END OF OUR GARDEN!!

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    1. YAY FOR NO MORE WEEDS!!! (I appreciate that about fall too. ;) That and less bugs. ;)

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  12. Wow this looks like a really cool month... and those chipmunk things (what did you call them? Oh yes sugar gliders) ARE SO ADORABLE. I wanna hold one right now! And that last quote. I'm laughing so hard :P I'M SO HAPPY FALL IS ALMOST HERE. I love fall. Sweaters, pumpkin spice things, and just all the colors associated with the season make me so happy :) Also, cool giveaway! Wow, I'm so excited to enter! Thanks for telling us about your month. It definitely sounded exciting ;)

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    1. I KNOW, RIGHT?? *sighs at their adorableness again* Yes, I saw that in a store and I was so tempted to buy it...but...college.
      Good luck in the giveaway! Thanks so much for entering! :)

      Delete
  13. Some things I like about Fall- the excitement it brings for Winter/Christmas, making pumpkin things, the leaves changing color and falling. 🍁🍂🍁

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    1. Boy, as I read through these comments, I'm getting more and more hyped about fall. ;) Y'all are making it sound so good! :P Thanks for your comment and good luck in the giveaway! :D

      Delete
  14. I really should try a fidget spinner . . . anyways, I read Eric and Leslie Ludy's "When Dreams Come True" . . . it was incredible. I've read it twice. I've even loaned my copy out a few times. I really want to read the others Eric has written. :)

    And to be honest, I can't wait for summer to be over. We've been hitting temps of 114. Yuck. I can't wait for fall's cooler weather! :D

    You've gotten some great pics! Thanks for sharing them! (Oh and thanks for the giveaway.)

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    1. I've been getting pretty good at that thing. Random tricks on fidget spinners are so much fun to do (plus you can impress people with them...just saying. ;P) Yeah, I've loaned out my copy of "When God Writes Your Love Story" already, and probably will do the same with "It Takes a Gentleman and a Lady". :) I just love his writing style!

      Yeah, I can see why you'd look forward to the change of temperature. Even I can't stand 114...not that I've ever actually BEEN in that hot of weather...but I've been in over 100 degree weather, so I can kinda relate. ;)

      Thank you! :) You're welcome! ;) Thanks for your comment and good luck in the giveaway! :D

      Delete
    2. Okay, I'm convinced. I need to get one. XD Oh and I just ordered "When God Writes Your Love Story". :) I can't wait to read it.

      Yeah, winter is my favorite season and fall is my second favorite so we're entering my favorite time of year! :)

      Thanks! I hope you get lots of entries!

      Delete
    3. Let me know how you like it. XD
      OHMYGOODNESS!! YAAAAAAAY! I cant wait to see what your opinion on it is! :) Just as a warning, it does deal with some subjects for an older audience. (For example, I guess there are certain expectations when it comes to "hooking up" at schools.) I thought you should know that so it doesn't come as a shock. However, it's mentioned only as something all Christians will probably either face themselves or have friends that face these certain situations and how to help them deal with it in a godly manner.

      Delete
    4. Okay, cool. Thanks for the head's up. :) I have a feeling I'm going to be reading it and passing it on to others to read as well. Plus I'm my church librarian (coolest job ever!!) so I'll most likely be getting a copy of both that and "When Dreams Come True" for the library. I'm sure you would really enjoy reading that one as well. I'm really looking forward to "When God Writes Your Love Story"!

      Delete
    5. Oh my goodness! Church librarian??!!! I'm jealous. XD
      Ooo...I must get that one and read it too! *carefully balances it on top of my precarious TBR pile* ;)

      Delete
    6. Hehehe, It's seriously an amazing way to volunteer. :) I love being able to buy books I enjoyed and share them with others through it. Careful, don't let the precious books fall!! Oh and my copy arrived yesterday!!

      Delete
    7. No kidding! That's so awesome! :)

      Delete
  15. It sounds like you had a great summer, Rebekah! :)
    I'm really looking forward to fall. My favorite things about fall are: all of the pretty leaves, the cooler weather, my birthday, and getting to wear long sleeves and boots. =)

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    1. I did! :) And those are some amazing things to look forward to. ;) If my birthday was in fall, I'd probably like it way better than I do right now. :)

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    2. I just wanted to let you know that I tagged you on my blog for The Bookish Tag. If you're interested here's the link:http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-bookish-tag.html

      Delete
    3. Aw, thanks for tagging me! I definitely want to do this one! ;)

      Delete
  16. I love all of your pictures in this post!

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway! My favorite things about fall are the weather, the leaves changing color and falling, and thanksgiving.

    Have a blessed day!

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    1. Thanks so much! :)

      You're welcome! I thought it'd be fun, and so far it has been!

      You too! :D

      Delete
  17. My favorite things about fall are pumpkin flavored muffins and the crisp smell of the air. This giveaway looks awesome!!!!

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    1. Thanks for your comment! So glad you are able to take part in it!! :D

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  18. Hey Rebekah - it's me from July Nano. It's taken me forever to get here and follow but I finally did! Great blog! Nice post! Love all those pictures and I'm glad I made it in time for this giveaway xD I live in Canada though - can you still ship?

    lisa
    thisinkwell.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh hey! Welcome! :D
      About the mailing issue to Canada...I will try, and if it's too outrageously expensive, I will give you as a consolation, TWO PDF copies (of your choosing) via email. And that goes for the rest of my lovely followers/friends up in Canada!! :) Sound good?

      Delete
    2. Sounds perfect :) Of course, that only goes if I am the lucky winner xD

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    3. I wish you could all win, really I do... ;)

      Delete

I LOVE COMMENTS. But be warned, if your comment is impolite, contains swear words, or is disrespectful of God, I will kill it. Just kidding. ;)
(Seriously though...it WILL DIE.)

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