THIS WEEK IN HOLLYWOOD

(Marisa...this one's for you)

I've been out of the loop for so long that I have completely fallen behind on the happenings of my favorite celebrities. Here is some of the stuff I missed while I was away:

Jen and John broke up!!!

My question is....why would she not want to be with him?!


It's a mystery.


Paris is dating this guy now, instead of Benji Madden

I would learn his name, but...let's be real. What's the point?


Nicole Richie is expecting again!

Apparently she likes to try on all prospective baby clothes.


Mandy Moore got married!

I don't have anything funny to say about this, I just had no idea.


Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart are engaged!

After seven years of dating, they felt it was time to really commit to each other.
And by the looks of this picture, it's probably a good idea.
The clocks a'tickin.


But it was comforting to see one familiar thing:

Katie and Suri

The bangs actually cover half her face now, and she's still wearing an oversized, polka-dot dress. And Katie still hasn't discovered that three year olds can walk.

Ah......some things never change.

Twisted Tuesday

The good news is....

Today was supposed to be a stressful day of writing blurbs all. day. long. but ended up being a blurb-free, no-stress day.

The bad news is...

It's because I got laid off. Cursed economy. Farewell, CFI.


If there's one thing I've learned to expect in life,
it's the unexpected.


P.S. Teaser Tuesday will return in two weeks.

Say It Ain't So

Twilight Board Game

Why was it so much cooler to love Twilight before it became...everywhere? I used to get such a thrill when I would be somewhere in public and overhear someone talking about the books. I would want to run over and hug the person and say that I was part of the club, too. But ever since the movie came out, everyone is part of the club. Now it's like, "Oh, yeah, Twilight."

I was walking through Walmart the other night, the first time in a very long time oddly enough, and I was browsing the accessories section as I always do, when I stumbled across an entire section of Twilight memorabilia. T-shirts, bags, dog tags, bracelets, key chains, you name it. And I would have thought it was really exciting and bought something...if it wasn't at Walmart. Instead I walked away, shaking my head disgustedly (but still secretly wanting the bag with the Cullen crest on it).

It's been cheapened for me. Walmart? Really? Twilight just became the new High School Musical. Pretty soon tween girls will be toting Twilight lunch boxes to school in their Twilight backpacks.

Can't we just go back to the days when only the cool people knew about Twilight? And by "cool people" I mean me and Stephenie Meyer.

Seriously?!

Meet the new Dora.
No, this is not a photoshop job.

This is "Grown-Up Dora" that they are introducing in the fall.
Grown-Up Dora will do things like get makeovers and go shopping.
You know, when she's done rescuing baby tigers and out-smarting Swiper the Fox.

Sadly enough, Dora isn't the only cartoon character getting an updated look for the 21st century. The new Strawberry Shortcake totes a cell phone and eats fruit instead of candy.
What's next, Tofu Shortcake?

Check out the new Care Bear.
Apparently there's pressure to be thin in the animated world as well. Now after they do the Care Bear Stare they have a mandatory work-out time, focusing mainly on crunches.

Remember Holly Hobbie?

Probably not if you're going off of the picture below.
How can they even call this the same person?
Oh...I see it...a solitary patch down on her right leg.
Yup, definitely the same person.

And my personal favorite desecration of a classic, beloved character:
Tattoo Barbie.
Nope, not kidding.



Tattoo Barbie was released as a celebration of her 50th birthday.
Doesn't every 50 year old celebrate her birthday by getting a tramp stamp?

Case in point: People...leave well enough alone.

Did I mention we're going to....

Here's some clues:

a dog with with a key
a watery drop
no room for the tea
a snow covered top

a falling rock slide
repetitive dolls
a frog on a ride
a house with no walls

a ghost-filled house
travel through space
home for a mouse
earth's happiest place

If you already know, see if you can guess what each clue refers to!
(The last two are the answer to my riddle.)

Yup...still love me some Twilight

I haven't done a Twilight post in a long time, and I have the perfect reason to do one now. Connie emailed me about the coolest experience she had this weekend getting her Twilight DVD signed. You have to go check out her story and accompanying pictures on her blog. I am ridiculously jealous of her, but so happy that a fellow Twi-hard had such a cool thing happen to her!

I bought the Twilight movie Director's Notebook yesterday, and read it...yesterday. (It's mostly pictures, so this isn't really as crazy as it sounds.) It was fascinating to me, reading about all the behind-the-scenes stuff and learning little trivia bits about the movie. One disturbing one, though, was that the director gave Rob (Edward) a bunch of lines to choose from for the part where he scaled the tree with Bella on his back and he chose the spider monkey line. Seriously, how craptastic did the other choices have to be for him to opt for that one?! That pedestal he was standing on sunk down into the mud several inches when I learned that.

And to complete my Twilight post, here is a New Moon (Twilight sequel) movie poster for your viewing pleasure. I say "a" and not "the" because I'm 99.9% sure it's a fake. But still, isn't it lovely?

It's a Boy!

Baby Boy Mathews was born at 9:23 am today, weighing in at
7 lbs. 11 oz., 20" long.
Mama and Baby are both doing great. No name as of yet.


Proceed below for Teaser Tuesday.

Teaser Tuesday

“Could you?” One of them asked. “We were really hoping she could serve us.” I noticed he wasn’t looking at me as he spoke. Neither of them was.

© A. Leppert 2009

Just Another Magic Monday

I contemplated not posting today, just to leave that picture of Rob up a little longer, but my poster of it that I ordered should be arriving today (you know, to hang above my and Bill's bed...at Bill's request) so I guess it's safe to post.

You can see what kind of mood I'm in. I've had a good day. It started with both kids going to school, which, after last week, is a major plus. Mainly because it means they are both healthy. I took the opportunity to go grocery shopping with me, myself and I. Myself was proud of I for staying under me budget and still managing to get everything me needed. Then I went to my weigh-in and discovered that my week of hard work had paid off and I'd lost 2 pounds! Not only is this my first real weight loss in....a long time, but it FINALLY put me over my 20 lb. loss mark!! Yay me! (See newly updated scale to your right.) I think a new pair of cute capris are in order.

I have 9 cover blurbs to write by next Wednesday and I am expertly putting them off by doing everything possible on my computer except writing them. Payson is sitting in his favorite spot (wedged between me and the armrest of the couch) doing his favorite pastime: playing Lego Star Wars. When his eyes need a break from the screen he turns his head so it's a quarter of an inch from mine and blows into my face or opens his mouth real big and makes a noise that sounds like a baby dinosaur. I love it.

I'm thinking of taking a nap, or something else that isn't writing cover blurbs.

JUST A REMINDER...

If this picture (thanks Lauren) doesn't make you want to come tomorrow night, I don't know what will. Anyway, just a reminder that tomorrow night at my house, GNO!!!

Twilight movie
food
Rob
friends
girl talk
Rob
me
cool people
Rob

See? There's a million reasons to come.
My house.
7:00 pm.
Tomorrow night.
Be there.
Or I'm keeping Rob all to myself.

Woot! Woot!

I'm a published woman! The first two books that I wrote back cover blurbs for have been released, and you can see those and my ad copies on Cedar Fort's website!! (And in the next Seagull Book and Deseret Book catalogs.) For anyone interested in seeing my work, here are some links:
(Click on where it says "Click to look inside" and then jump to the last page and you'll see the back cover. And the ad copies I wrote are under "description.")

Deadly Treasure

Keeping Love Alive: Answers to 100 Marriage Questions

Teaser Tuesday

Okay, so this week is really hard for me, for a couple of reasons: 1) I am worried that my ardent fans (wink) are expecting me to continue the story where I left off, and I can't do that, for obvious reasons. (Is it not that obvious? Because then no one would pay to buy my book.) Teaser Tuesday was meant to be just that: teasers. And 2) My novel is a work in progress, which means that at times I am known to halt in my tracks and give it a complete makeover to better suit my vision, which is exactly what I did a few nights ago. This left me with very little written text in which to share with you. If you don't like how short it is, well, don't be a hater.

So, after much deliberation, here is the second installment of Teaser Tuesday:


I rolled over onto my back, my eyes moving unconsciously to the ceiling, and listened to the traffic below.

And then, without warning, the floodgates opened and the memories came crashing in, assaulting every cell in my body. The pain, albeit agonizingly familiar, tore through me like a hurricane, and I felt like I was being ripped into pieces. Instinctively, I curled into a ball, wrapping my arms around myself in a desperate attempt at protection. And there, in the blackest night, I wept.

© A. Leppert 2009

Your Presence Is Requested

I want to thank everyone who commented on my oh-so-serious post yesterday. I know that these kinds of posts usually send people running for the hills, unsure of what to say or how to say it. So I truly appreciate the people who took the time and effort to say something, and the "somethings" that were said were so thoughtful and heartfelt and made me feel loved and not so alone, which was my whole goal in the first place. So thank you, truly.

On a much brighter note, something I am so excited about ....................drumroll...............................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................

TWILIGHT DVD RELEASE, BABY!

Next Saturday Twilight comes out on DVD and I thought it appropriate to host a Twilight viewing party! What?! This is the most exciting news you've heard in a long time? Well then by all means, come to my house next Saturday night to watch it! *Edward will be here, so you have to come. I might even wear my Team Edward shirt and matching bracelet (bought in Forks, which makes me cool) but you won't know unless you come.

So, write this on your calendar asap:

TWILIGHT VIEWING PARTY
SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST
7:00 PM
at ALICIA'S HOUSE

If you are coming a) you rock and b) bring a snack
because everyone knows you can't have a movie
night without snacks. Oh and bring a friend, and
spread the word, because everyone deserves to
partake in Edward's cold stone perfection.

SEE YOU THERE!

*Edward will not be here

Current Mood: Contemplative

I read a post today that linked to another post that inspired me to talk about something that is really hard for me, something I always feel like I am hiding from my peers, peers that are made up primarily of young mothers. Amazing mothers, who cherish their role as nurturer and caretaker and value each and every moment spent with their precious creations. I read blog after blog of these supermoms who are just incredible. The fun activities they do with their kids, the time they spend playing with them, the ease they have in putting their own wants and priorities aside in an effort to first and foremost make their kids happy. I read these blogs and think, "What is wrong with me?"

I am not one of those mothers. Where they are the athletes who were born with natural talent, I am the one still trying to get used to the fact that somehow I got picked for the team and wondering if maybe the coach made a mistake. This doesn't come naturally for me. No part of this is easy for me. Each and every day of the eight years that I have done this has been a challenge of some kind.

I know it's common to hear mothers say how hard parenting is. I know that every mother struggles, that every mother at some point has to remind herself why she signed up for this job. I am in no way trying to diminish what other mothers go through. I am just constantly amazed when I hear moms go on about the wonderful, fun parts of being a mom, because, although I definitely have those moments, they seem to be much fewer and farther between than the norm.

Please don't get me wrong. My kids, along with my husband, are by far the most important thing in the world to me. I love them more than I ever thought it was possible to love something. They are my world. But I will never be that mom who says, "Let's go do something fun this Saturday morning," when there is a bed to be curled up in. I will never be that mom to chaperon an overnight trip because the terror I felt on those things as a kid has never gone away.

I am not writing this in any way to say "woe is me" or "I have it worse than you do." Not at all. It's just that I feel so inadequate as a mother in every way and pray every night that I am not destroying my children because of my shortcomings and selfish tendencies. It is such a relief whenever I hear people like my cousin and cjane express the same kind of frustrations that I feel plagued with every second of every day.

I write this to make myself feel better. Revealing "dark secrets" is always incredibly therapeutic for me. At least now people know what I truly am and I can stop trying to hide the fact that I think I am a less-than-stellar mother. But I also write this for anyone else who may feel like I do, who sometimes wonders what people would think if they knew just how much they struggled with this job that is supposed to come so naturally to us. Just know that you are not alone. SO not alone.

Teaser Tuesday

Butterflies? Check. Shaking hands? Check. Questioning my sanity? Check.

I have officially decided to share some of my novel with all of you. WHAT?! Did I just say that? Yeah, I did, so I can't take it back now. I have been sending sections as I write them to a certain cousin of mine who works at a certain company that just gave me a certain job and she has given me the confidence I need to share with more people. (Hopefully she's not reading this right now and thinking, "Oh crap, Alicia, I was just being nice!") Anyway, Tuesdays here at my Corner will now be known as Teaser Tuesday. I will give you just some small snippets of my novel and that way I will not only be prevented from abandoning this idea again, but I will also be motivated to keep writing even when the motivation has left me temporarily. Let it be known that feedback of any kind is appreciated. (Just please don't make me cry.)

So, without further ado, here is a taste of "Untitled." (Catchy name, eh?)


My world is a dark and lonely place. Each day, like the one before it, I drift through, unfeeling, unthinking. Some time ago I discovered that life was semi-livable if I refrained from feeling. I was only ever one thing—numb.

All around me, people go about their lives, talking, laughing…living. It used to make me ache—the envy I had for all the happy people. But even that, over time, faded to nothing. Now I don’t notice the laughter. I’m oblivious to the smiles, the cheerful banter that surrounds me. It’s amazing how alone you can feel in a city of 582,000 people.

Seattle, Washington. A sprawling, industrious city set in a blanket of pine. I had never known a day that wasn’t spent inside this concrete jungle. It was my home, and for that I loved it. But it was also the setting for the tragedy called my life, and so I loathed it.

I live alone in a cold, empty studio apartment. The tiny square room closely resembles a cell. That’s my life: solitary confinement.

Here, in this desolate place that perfectly reflects my soul, my story begins.

© A. Leppert 2009

Newfound Loves

Red Robin's Whiskey River BBQ Chicken Wrap

This wrap changed my life. I have never craved something so badly. If you haven't tried it, you haven't experienced true bliss.


Word Girl

My kids recently started watching this show on PBS. I. Love. It. It is hilarious. It is the only show of theirs that I will sit and watch. And laugh. The fact that her sidekick is a monkey named Captain Huggy Face makes it worth watching in and of itself. Word up!


Gmail

Yeah, I'm aware that you're laughing at me because you all discovered the wonder that is gmail like, two years ago, but I was never willing to give up my movie_queen15 with MSN. However, the good people at CFI (that's code for where I work) so nicely suggested I make the switch and basically get with the 21st century. I did, and it is bombdotcom. Before you get all hurt and offended that you don't have my new gmail address, know that I am only using it for work as of now, because I am lazy and still not ready to make the switcheroo, because, frankly, I think it will be a major pain in the you know what.


My new wedges from Target

Oh my gosh. There aren't words to describe how much I love these. (Seriously, there aren't. I checked.) My white church sandals for the last three seasons are falling apart and hideous to my eyes. So I HAD to buy these, it was a necessity. White season is just around the corner and now I am ready. And the best part about these shoes? They keep my toes together for me.

Isn't finding new stuff to love so fun?

This Is...

This is Jasper's favorite spot to sleep. Makes typing a bit difficult. I never have the heart to move him...for at least two minutes.

This is my Twilight pedi. I dreamed up the idea while sitting in the massaging chair with my feet soaking in luke warm water. Shockingly enough, the pedi lady totally understood exactly what I wanted. (In case you can't tell, it's a tiny apple with a black gemstone.)

This is me trying to hold my toes together so they would look normal. Bill took no less than 13 pictures of my feet, trying to get one that didn't look like two deformed hands coming out from the bottom of my jeans.

This is me waiting patiently between toe shots. Bill for some reason loved this picture. He called it "a keeper," which I love, because I don't have a stitch of makeup on.

And this is a fun Spring giveaway my fabulous sister-in-law is doing on her blog. I wanted to be entered twice, so here I am, announcing it on my blog. Go enter and buy her pretty stuff.

No Rest For The Weary

(No, this isn't me, obviously, but it easily could be.)

What. A. Week.

I'm so glad it's over.

My fingers are raw from typing, my eyes bugged out from staring at a computer screen all day, every day.

I am emotionally and physically exhausted, and ready for a break.

I'm glad that now that I'm done with my deadline and have one month of this job under my belt, that I now know exactly how NOT to do this job. Procrastination = very bad things.

Today I will be spending my time deciding whether to catch up on some much needed sleep (I hit my deadline at 3:30 this morning), do some much needed house cleaning, or treat myself to some much needed do-whatever-I-want time.

I'll probably sleep.