#BLOGTOBER Day 17- Some Recipes for the Fall Season

During holiday season, I usually like to bake some treats. The next few recipes, I’m going to share with you, I have baked for Thanksgiving. I know we still have a bit to go. We still have to celebrate Halloween, and I’m not one to rush holidays! But I just thought since I’ve tried out these recipes in the past, I can give you some ideas for planning ahead for your Thanksgiving meal. Or hey maybe you want to try one of these recipes out for Halloween, instead. Do whatever your heart desires!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made these last year for Thanksgiving and added in my own little touch, by topping them off with Reese’s Pieces and adding Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to the cookie tray display. It also added some fall color to them! I made 3 trays of cookies, because I was visiting a lot of different people, (which is usually the case) so I made enough for each house. Can’t show up empty handed! To add to the presentation, I wrapped them in saran wrap and added some fall colored bows. I included a little tag with twine that said Happy Thanksgiving, and that stated they were Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavored, just in case anyone had an allergy, I wanted them to be aware.

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I searched my recipe folder, and my favorites and I couldn’t find the recipe. However, I feel like I remember searching simple few ingredient peanut butter, chocolate chip cookies, so it might have been one of these, linked HERE, & HERE 

Taste Verdict:

Peanut Butter and Chocolate are two of my favorite things. So I LOVED these. They were very rich and VERY peanut buttery. With milk, you can have one or two and it was delicious. I would definitely make these again. If you are not into peanut butter, I guess you can just omit it, and bake your traditional chocolate chip cookie. That’s always a crowd favorite. 

Layered Pumpkin Lasagna

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I found the exact recipe I used HERE

Taste Verdict:

This was a bit of a long process, and requires many ingredients, and ALOT of work. I wasn’t aware how time consuming it could be. It’s more of a no bake dessert, but you do have to create each layer and than build this sweet dessert lasagna. It’s a bit of a weird concept, but I thought it was actually really delicious and those who are pumpkin fans, seemed to enjoy it! I feel like I would tackle making this again, at some point. 

Apple Pie Punch

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Ingredients 

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I found the exact recipe I used HERE

Taste Verdict: 

In my family, I seemed to have taken on dessert and drinks. I usually bake for every holiday event. And one Thanksgiving I decided to add in a little drinky drank recipe. I omitted the vodka for this recipe, because I wanted it to be safe for the kiddies to drink, but guests were free to add a little spike if they felt so inclined to. This was a tasty treat. I’d definitely make it again. It was easy enough!

 

*All photos are my own, I do not take credit for any recipes used.*

Have any fun fall recipes to share?

If you make any of these, let me know in the comments below!

 

Happy Fall Baking!

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

Magic.

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Magic is something we understand as children.

A world of possibilities,

unlike any other.

Colorful.

Full of big dreams and twinkling stars, all within our reach.

All right at our fingertips.

A bolt like lightning in the sky.

So bright.

Fearless.

Free.

Freedom.

When the only thing that mattered was being a kid and having fun.

Playing outside.

“Making pretend.” 

It’s a shame we let life dim our lights as adults.

Leave a little glitter everywhere you go.

A little glistening never hurt anyone’s soul.

Sparkle- it doesn’t come with any age restrictions.

Be the unicorn this world needs.

Side note: So often we hear, “aren’t you a little too old for that?” We have these constraints put on ages- at [this age] you should be doing this, wearing this, saying this…who decided these things? As we approach adulthood, we silence our inner child at times. When really we should be embracing our childish moments. We should continue to dream without worry or fear of not being successful. and just continue to work hard at our goals and dreams. We should be mesmerized by the stars above, by the simple things like when you hear your old favorite song, or smell a scent that takes you back.

Nostalgia can be a tricky thing. We can get caught up in it, and forget to notice to present and the new journeys ahead. We idealize our pasts and believe our best days have been put behind us. I loved my childhood, I have many fond memories of growing up in the 90’s/00’s. But it wasn’t perfect, nothing ever is. Just like now isn’t perfect. But I’m approaching 30 [hey now, your only 27 girl, hush now! ;)] and they say that’s your prime. So cheers to that.

Believe in the magic, embrace your inner sparkle. Shine it for the world to see. Just because we are growing up and gaining more life responsibilities, does not mean we have to forget to laugh loud at silly jokes, play games, rock creative colorful outfits, or dance around to songs from decades past.

Magic comes in all shapes and forms, open your mind to it. Dream Big. And never stop. 

 

-<3-

BLOGMAS -Day 18- “A Husband for Christmas” [Part 4] Short Story

lights blogmas edit

A husband for christmas short story_Christmas 2017

Read Part 1 HERE, Part 2 HERE, and Part 3 HERE

Noel and Kris sit together on her hospital bed as Kris tells her the stories that accompany the many photos in her scrapbook.

“So, I just came up to you and kissed you?” she says laughing.

“Yea pretty much, you said you thought I was cute and wanted to know what it’d be like,” he says laughing.

“Oh my gosh! Wow. Did you like it? Or were you totally weirded out?”

“Are you kidding me? I thought it was sexy as hell.”

Noel covers her face and starts laughing.

Kris laughs and shakes his head, “she’s still my girl,” he thinks.

Noel notices, “so are we one of those affectionate couples that make people sick or…” she says trailing off kind of hoping that was exactly the case. 

“Um…I guess…” Kris says puzzled.

“Hmm, what does that mean?” Noel says laughing and looking over with wide eyes.

“We’re very affectionate normally, like in our own home we’re basically all over each other,” (he says laughing).

“Oh?” Noel smiles as she raises her eyebrows.

“But with PDA, we’re a little more reserved.”

“Ah, I guess I can understand that…”

Kris smiles at her.

“But wait one second, I have a question.”

“Ask away,” he says smiling as she slides her hand onto his, intertwining their fingers.

He looks down and smiles.

“If I’m so reserved, why was I able to rock that red little lacey number without a problem.”

“It’s not that it’s problematic for you, it’s just that you tend to blush easily,” he says laughing.

“Ah, so in other words, I just like when it’s a secret between you and me?” Noel says her head lifting up from his shoulders as her brown eyes sparkle up at him.

“Yea that sounds about right,” Kris says smirking at her, their lips close. 

Noel looks up at Kris, pressing her lips against his, cupping his neck with her hand as she pulls him closer to her.

Kris kisses her back for a beat and then pulls away.

“Is everything ok?” she asks confused.

“Yea, of course.” he says hopping off of the bed as Noel’s brow furrows. “I just remembered I promised I’d call our best friends to update them about you,” he says with a nervous little laugh. 

“Oh, okay,” she says feeling suddenly uncomfortable for kissing him. 

“I’ll be right back,” Kris says kissing her left hand right near her sparkling rings, quickly before exiting the room.

Noel looks up at the ceiling in frustration and confusion as she reaches for her purse. 

Kris rushes off to the side taking out his phone, he dials a familiar number.

“Hello?” a young brunette answers quickly in a panic as she sits impatiently in an airport, simultaneously tapping a young man on the shoulder sitting beside her.

“Hey Rebecca,” Kris says sullenly.

“Kris! Oh thank god! We’ve been trying to get through to you since we got your message! Griffin and I have been stuck at the airport for a day, and our phones have been all messed up! How’s Noel? I’ve been worried sick.”

“She’s ok, she’s doing much better. The doctor says her recovery is going nicely”

“Oh thank god!” Rebecca says grabbing her chest in relief.

Griffin looks on anxiously, taking Rebecca’s hand.

“She’s okay” she mouths to him, as Griffin sighs in relief. 

“So everything went well with the surgery?”

“Yes, it was less evasive than they thought would was great and she is feeling good, she’s just having some trouble remembering things.”

“What do you mean, she doesn’t remember anything?”

Griffins eyes go wide.

“She doesn’t remember anything. Not me, not the fact that I’m her husband, not Holly, or her parent’s death…nothing.”

“Oh my gosh, Kris that’s terrible. I’m sorry, that’s heart breaking.”

“You would think so, but she’s been so great, she wants to know everything, she’s completely optimistic, but I-“

“You’re going through a lot right now, it’s hard, I know,” she says her voice softening as she hears the tears building up in his throat.

“Yea,” Kris says shoving his hand in his pocket as he leans against the hallway wall, mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted.

“Hey Kris, do you wanna talk to Griffin?”

“If you don’t mind…” he says with a small chuckle.

Griffin takes the phone, “Hey buddy,” he says gesturing to Rebecca that he’s going to step to the side, she nods as he places a kiss on her cheek.

“Hey man…”

“I’m so sorry dude, I can’t believe all this,” Griffin says hearing his friend’s voice crack.

“I don’t know what to do man, I love her so much, you know how much I love my wife.”

“I know man.”

“But I was in no way prepared for something like this. I know she’s trying and I know it could be worse, she could not want anything to do with me. I mean to her I’m a complete stranger… but she’s being completely amazing, she’s still kissing me and holding my hand,”

“Well that’s a good thing right?”

“Yea, but I know she doesn’t remember me. And I just feel like maybe she’s just doing those things to make it easier on me.”

“Well I mean like you just said, she doesn’t know you right? So if she really didn’t want to do something she wouldn’t. I mean so the way I see it, is she’s embracing the fact that your her husband and she’s doing her best to get back to the life she knows she used to love.” 

“I love her so much, I do. But I am petrified that I’m going to do or say something that’s going to freak her out. And then I’ll lose her for good.”

“What do the doctors say? Do they think she’s forcing herself to remember too much too quick?”

“I don’t think so, I mean everything has been quite a blur since last night.”

“I can imagine, man, but look I think you just need to talk to her, ok, tell her your concerns. Even if she is trying to do it for you, even that says something right. She cares.” 

Meanwhile back in her hospital room, Noel sits going through her cellphone. She looks at pictures of her old life, as her eyes begin to fill with tears.

She dials the number for Holly.

“Hey you!” Holly answers excitedly as she shuffles through her keys trying to open her door.

“Hey,” Noel answers her sadness evident.

“Oh no, what’s wrong, love?” Holly says walking into her apartment and flipping the light on.

“I don’t know. I just feel like somethings going on with Kris and he won’t tell me. And I just feel like he doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

“Oh sweetheart, you are going insane, I think,” she says laughing

“Why are you laughing?” Noel says in between sobs.

“Kris Thornwood is obsessed with his wife, anyone you ask would say the same. The minute you kissed him at that party he was a goner. Ok? There is no way anything that your saying is true.”

“Yea Kris Thornwood may be obsessed with his wife, but I am NOT his wife. At least that’s what I feel like he’s thinking.”

Kris starts to come down the hall, and he over hears Noel’s voice, and ducks back to the side, listening in.

“Stop it! Yes you are his wife.”

“No, I’m not. I can’t remember anything. And that sucks. Ok I get it, he’s struggling with the fact that I’m not the woman he fell in love with. But I’m trying here, and I just feel like maybe I’m just not who he wants me to be. I wish he would just talk to me, I mean I can’t get better without him.”

Kris walks in his eyes full of tears.

Noel turns and notices, tears streaming down her face.

“Holly…I’m gonna have to call you back,” she says hanging up. “I’m so sorry,” Noel says looking at him.

“No. I um…I’m so sorry,” he says walking over to her. 

“I just didn’t know what else to do…” she says shrugging, her tears falling more freely.

“Stop crying, stop.” he says cupping her face and wiping her tears away with his thumbs. “You are exactly the woman I fell in love with, you are the woman I love with all my heart. Memory or not. I do, I love you so much. I need you to know that.”

Noel smiles in between sad and happy tears.

“I’m so sorry that I’ve been so distant. I just, I’m scared.”

“Scared…of what?” Noel says confused.

“When the doctor called me to tell me you were in an accident, I’m pretty sure I stopped breathing. It was the single most terrifying moment of my life. You are my everything and when I thought I was going to lose you, I kind of lost it. So when I heard you were going to be ok, it was like every prayer I ever made was answered. And I was so happy, but when you said you didn’t remember anything, I started to worry that what if I pushed you too hard, too quick and you ended up hating me or even worse what if I put your health at risk.”

“But Kris, look at me, I’m fine.”

“I just worry. My greatest fear in life, is losing you.”

Noel softens, as she looks at him with kind eyes. 

“Come here,” she says holding out her arms. 

Kris looks away hesitantly.

“Come here,” she says pulling his hands toward her as she pulls him into a hug. “I may not remember anything right now. But I can already tell how in love we are. And I want that back. I know my heart knows you, I just need some time for my mind to get there again. I like hearing about our life and seeing pictures, I like being with you, I love kissing you.” she says smiling up at him, as he looks at her with a smirk. “I know that I can fall in love with you, in no time. I don’t want you to apologize for touching me, or to second guess talking to me. I’m your wife. I need you to talk to me. Because I am committed to my recovery and I’m even more committed to you and getting our life back.”

“God I love you,” he says pulling her into a kiss. 

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edit.*

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLOGMAS -Day 15- “A Husband for Christmas” [Part 3] Short Story

lights blogmas edit

A husband for christmas short story_Christmas 2017

Read Part 1 HERE & Part 2 HERE

Noel’s brown eyes flutter open as they adjust to the hospital lighting and her ears adjust to the humming of the machines.

She smiles seeing a sleeping Kris in the nearby arm chair- hair tussled, still in his suit from the night before, his jacket crunched up as a pillow, his white button down sleeves all rolled up, showing off his toned forearms. Noel stares at him, “I still can’t believe I have a husband,” she thinks to herself.

Suddenly Kris begins to stir, Noel smiles at him as he looks around confused. His eyes lock on hers and he smiles sleepily.

“Good morning sunshine,” she says with a small giggle.

He smirks and gets up walking over to her.

“Good morning,” he smirks kissing her cheek, “I’m sorry I fell asleep-“

“Please stop, you’re exhausted, your allowed to sleep,” she says smiling up at him.

“How are you feeling?” he asks taking her hand, as he pulls a small stool over to sit on beside her. 

“Pretty good,” she smiles. 

“Yea?”

“Yea, all things considered, I think I was pretty lucky.”

“Yea, absolutely, I don’t know what I would have done if-“

“Hey…I’m ok, really.” she says smiling at him as she squeezes his hand.

“I should have came and picked you up, maybe this wouldn’t have happened,” he says looking down at their hands and he touches her rings on her finger.

Noel looks on and her heart begins to break.

“Hey, this was not your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. Shit happens, let’s just focus on the fact that I’m ok.”

“Yes of course, your right. I’m sorry,” he says looking up at her with a smirk, he pulls her hand up to his lips and kisses it softly.

Noel smiles at him.

“Hey…I can tell your exhausted why don’t you go home, and get some rest,” Noel says stroking his face.

Kris smirks at the familiar gesture.

“Are you crazy, do you honestly think I’m going to leave you?”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” he asks skeptically.

“No, not at all, I’m just worried about you. You couldn’t have gotten a good night sleep in that terrible chair.”

“You shouldn’t be worrying about me, just worry about your recovery, I’m fine.”

“I’m your wife, so you worry about me, and I get to worry about you, isn’t that how this whole marriage thing works?” she says narrowing her eyes at him and pursing her lips.

Kris lets out a laugh, “I suppose so,” he says leaning up and kissing her lips softly.

Noel smiles against his lips.

“Sorry,” he says pulling away, “Your just too cute, I had to.”

“Stop apologizing,” she says looking at him with a laugh.

Just then Dr. King walks in.

“Good Morning, how are we doing? Any pain, in your lower back or in your head?”

“No, I actually feel really good,” Noel says confidently.

“That’s great to here!”

Noel and Kris exchange smiles.

“I have to say, I’ve witnessed plenty of husbands sit vigil at their wives bedsides, but you sir are a trooper. These chairs are the worst.”

Kris laughs.

“I just told him the same thing, he needs to go home and get some rest,” Noel says giving Kris the eye.

Kris returns her sassy glare, “And I told you, I’m not leaving you.”

Dr. King smiles as she notices their flirtatious banter, as she make some notes in Noel’s chart after checking out her readings on the machine. 

“Come on, Holly will be up here in less than an hour, go home, get some rest, maybe a change of clothes…” 

Just then Holly walks in.

“Hi, good morning!”

“Hi,” Noel says smiling.

“Oh my god, you look great, your color is coming back,” Holly says walking over and hugging her sister.

“Thank you, I feel good,” Noel says smiling.

“Hey,” she says hugging Kris too, “So I checked on the house liked you asked, everything was fine, and I brought you a change of clothes, so you’d be more comfortable…maybe you can take a shower here? I saw a community shower outside at the end of the hall.”

Kris laughs as he looks over at Noel who’s smiling brightly as she giggles.

“See look at that we really have that sister thing going on, concussion and all.”

Holly smiles, “Go on, go! I’ve got her,” she says handing a reluctant Kris his bag.

“Ugh fine. I’ll be quick,” he says looking over at Noel, he leans over and kisses her forehead.

“Bye.” Noel says smiling.

Kris winks at her, as he walks out, he pats Holly on the shoulder.

Holly smiles at Noel.

“I’ll be back to check in on you, a little later. It seems your recovery is coming along nicely.”

“Thank you Doctor.”

Dr. King smiles and exits the room.

“So…you and Kris seem to be doing well?” Holly says her eyebrows raising.

“Yea, I think we are. He’s really sweet.”

Holly smiles knowingly.

“And super sexy.”

“There it is,” she says laughing. “So how was last night?”

“It was good, he stayed here all night, we may or may not have kissed a few times.”

“Ooo that’s good, how was that?”

“It’s weird, I feel like there’s this familiar feeling when I’m around him, like kissing him and holding his hand, it feels pretty natural. But I can’t remember anything. It’s pretty frustrating.”

“I know. But I mean I think it’s only a matter of time, before you start remembering things. Your heart knows him, your mind just needs to catch up to it. The more time you spend with him, the more you’ll remember and things will just fall into place.”

“I hope your right.” Noel says smiling.

“I usually am, another sister fact for you,” Holly and Noel share a laugh.

Noel and Holly spend time talking and Holly tells her stories of them at kids and they flip through some photo albums Holly brought.

Kris walks in a few minutes later, all showed and dressed in more comfortable clothes.

“Hey,” Noel says smiling, “Holly was just telling me some stories and showing me some pictures.

“That’s great,” Kris says smiling.

Holly smiles and stands up walking over to her bags.

“I saved the best for last,” she says handing Noel an album.

Noel looks at it and her smile widens.

“I found it on your coffee table, I figured maybe it’d be of some help.”

Kris looks over at the book. 

“Oh my gosh,” Noel says flipping through the pages, “is this a scrapbook of our life together?”

Kris nods, “Yea I made you that book as a wedding present, we just added a few wedding photos the other night.”

“I love it, we looks like we have an amazing life.”

“We do,” Kris says smiling.

Holly watches with a smile, “I’m gonna take off,”

“Holly your welcomed to stay, I’ll order us some lunch.” Kris says.

“No no, you guys need to catch up. Call me if you need anything ok,” she says hugging Kris, and then Noel.

“Thanks Holly, for everything,” Kris says.

“Yes, thank you so much, I really love looking at all these old pictures and hearing about some of our memories.”

“Anytime. Bye guys, I’ll see you tomorrow,” she says with a wave before she exits.

Noel continues flipping through her scrapbook, a smile on her lips.

Kris watches with hopeful eyes.

Noel notices his glare, “Here, come sit with me,” she says patting her bed.

“No that’s ok, you need your bed.”

“There’s room for the both of us, come on, you can keep me warm, I’m freezing,” she says smiling. 

Kris smirks and sits beside her putting his arm around her, as she snuggles up to him.

“So…how’d we meet?”

“Oh…that’s a good one.” Kris says laughing.

“Yea?”

“Yea.” 

Kris smiles at her as he begins to tell her how their love story began.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

*I do not take credit for the images used in my edit.*

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLOGMAS -Day 14- “A Husband for Christmas” [Part 2] Short Story

lights blogmas edit

A husband for christmas short story_Christmas 2017

Read Part 1 HERE

Kris stumbles back, his hand falling from Noel’s face.

Noel searches his face for an explanation.

“I’m sorry. I just-I’m very confused. Where am I? Am I supposed to know you?”

Kris feels his heart start to beat faster, the room begins spinning.

“Yes. I um…I’m your husband.”

Noel’s eyes widen.

“My…my husband?”

Kris closes his eyes tightly, inhaling deeply, giving himself a beat to steady his spinning sight.

Opening his eyes again his vision clears a bit and focuses on Noel’s confused expression. Kris exhales before answering.

“Yes. I’m Kris. Thornwood. And I’m your husband.”

Noel looks around the room, nervously.

“See…” he says pointing to her hospital bracelet that reads Noel Thornwood.

Noel looks and the shock is still unwavering.

“You don’t… remember marrying me?” he asks his heart breaking.

“No…I’m sorry…I don’t even know what’s going on. But I do know that my head is pounding,” she says bringing her hands to her temple.

“You were in an accident. The doctors said you suffered some head injuries and internal bleeding.”

“Oh my god,” Noel says still hazy.

Dr. King walks in, “Hello, Welcome back Mrs. Thornwood, how are we feeling?” she says walking over to the bed where Noel lies in confusion and frustration.

“She’s having trouble remembering some things,” Kris says trying to remain calm.

“Oh well that’s to be expected, you do have a concussion,” Dr. King says looking at Noel.

“She’s having trouble remembering me,” Kris says looking over at the doctor with sad eyes.

Dr. King freezes and looks at Kris.

“Is that true?” She asks looking at Noel again, as she takes out a small flash light, and shines it into Noel’s eyes, waving her index finger in front of her, and Noel’s eyes follow.

“Yes. I don’t remember him, or being married, or even the accident that put me here. I can’t even tell you what I did yesterday,” she says nervously.

“Ok. Well that can happen sometimes with concussions, and due to the accident, you have a mild one, but memory loss can still be a side effect. When you were first brought in, we didn’t know what we were dealing with or how severe your injuries were. We were worried you’d have to have surgery but thankfully after a few tests, there was no bleeding or swelling in the brain. But you suffered blunt trauma, and in turn had abdominal internal bleeding due to the impact of the other car, you must have been thrown around a bit. We had to go in and stop the bleeding before it got worse. The bleeding was from your spleen, but we were able to repair it.”

“Oh my goodness,” Noel says confused and worried.

“She’s going to be okay though, right doctor?” Kris asks worry evident in his voice and on his face.

“Yes, she’s going to be just fine.” Dr. King says smiling.

“But what about my memory?” Noel says her nerves building up.

“You just suffered a traumatic experience, it’s normal for you to be a little foggy right now. There’s no reason to be alarmed.”

“So I should get my memory back soon?”

“Just give yourself some time, you need to rest,” she says looking over at Kris.

“Doctor King, she was complaining about a headache. Is there anything you can give her?”

“Of course, I will have the nurse come in and give you some Tylenol.”

“Thank you Doctor,” Kris says.

“I’ll give you two a minute,” she says exiting the room.

Kris looks over at Noel, he instinctively reaches for her hand.

Noel flinches slightly.

Kris pulls his hand away.

“I’m sorry, it’s out of habit I guess. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“No, that’s ok.” Noel says looking away sheepishly.

Kris looks around not knowing what to do, or how to act.

Just then the nurse comes in.

“Hello, My name is Fiona and I will be your nurse tonight, I have some Tylenol to help you out with that headache, ok?”

Noel nods.

“I’m just going to step out for a minute,” Kris says rushing out of the room. Noel notices and immediately feels bad.

Jack springs up quickly, “Hey how is she?”

“She doesn’t remember me.”

“What?” Jack says taken back.

Kris starts to hyperventilate, as he leans against the wall, gasping for air.

“She doesn’t…remember me.” he says tears streaming down his face.

Jack catches his friend, before he falls, as they slide to the floor.

The hospital doors open and a young brunette woman rushes in.

She spots them, and she runs over.

“Kris!”

Kris looks and springs up pulling her into a hug, “Holly. Thank god your here. I’m so sorry I had to text you like that. I just didn’t have any details and I was just trying to get to her as fast as I could.”

“No stop it, don’t worry. I’m glad you told me. Of course I’m here. Where is she? Is she ok?”

Kris pulls away and looks at her, “She’s ok, but she doesn’t remember anything.”

“What do you mean… she doesn’t remember the accident?”

“She doesn’t remember me.”

“Oh my god…Oh…my god,” she says pulling him into another hug, holding him tightly.

“She’s in there, if you wanna go see her, maybe she’ll remember you,” he says wiping at the tears as they fall.

“Ok. I’ll give it a shot,” she says looking at him with sympathetic, caring eyes. “Hey…we’re gonna get her through this though…she loves you so much, you know that.”

Kris nods, as Holly lets his hand go and walks into the hospital room.

“Knock, knock…” She says walking in.

Noel looks at her puzzled.

“Hi,” she says with a smile.

“Hello,” Noel says confused.

“I’m guessing my face doesn’t ring a bell either, huh?” she says with a slight smile.

“No, I’m so sorry.”

She smiles and takes out her cell phone and shows her a picture of the two of them as babies.

“I’m Holly, I’m your sister.”

“I have a sister?” Noel asks.

Holly nods.

“Any other siblings I should know about?” Noel says with a small laugh.

“Nope, just you and me.”

“What about our mom and dad?” Noel asks looking at Holly with expectation.

“We lost them a few years back. It was unexpected.”

“Oh that’s terrible,” Noel says sadly.

“Yea, it’s been pretty hard, but you met Kris and he kind of pulled you out of your rut and brought you back to life.”

“Kris as in my…”

“Husband? Yes.”

“I’m really married?” Noel asks with a smile in her voice.

“Oh yea,” Holly says smiling.

“Do you have any pictures of my wedding?”

“But of course… I was your maid of honor after all?” she says smiling and scrolling through her phone. “Here you go,” she says showing her a picture of she and Kris kissing.

“Wow. I look so happy,” Noel says smiling.

“Yea. Well you really love him.” Holly says smiling.

Noel looks at her.

“And just so you know, he loves you too…so much.”

Noel looks back at the picture, wishing she could just remember something.

Just outside, Jack sits on the floor trying to calm Kris down.

The nurse comes over to them, “Mr. Thornwood…”

Kris looks up, and stands up quickly.

“These are all your wife’s belongings,” she says handing him a clear bag.

“Thank you,” he says taking it.

Kris turns to Jack. “I’m just gonna take a minute. I’ll be right back.”

Jack nods. “I’ll be here, let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks,” he says patting Jack on the back as a thank you.

Kris walks into the men’s room, setting the bag on the sink counter. He beings to sift through it. First he pulls out her red pumps, emerald green dress, and then her lacey red lingerie. Kris stops and stares at it, smiling, he whispers, “I knew she was wearing it,” remembering their conversation from earlier.

“Please tell me your wearing that sexy red lingerie I bought you?”
Noel gasps, Kris laughs.
“You better be alone right now,” she says.
“Baby I think I can actually hear you blushing,” he says with a chuckle.
“Shut up,” she says laughing.

Kris’ eyes begin to tear up again, he fights them back as he continues looking through the bag. Pulling out her purse, cellphone, and then her engagement ring and wedding band.

Kris stares at them,  holding them in his palm, they sparkle reflecting the light.

An image of Noel’s tearful yet smiling face pops into his mind as he remembers getting down on one knee.

“Baby… come back to me, ” he whispers.

Just then Kris hears a knock on the door.

He places the rings in his pocket, and grabs everything else, before opening the door.

“Hey,” Holly says smiling.

“Hey, any luck?” Kris asks stepping out.

“Nope, but she’s asking for you.”

Kris smiles faintly as he walks away toward Noel’s room.

“Hey,” he says walking in cautiously.

“Hi,” Noel says with a small smile noticing Kris’ tear stained cheeks.

“What’s that?” she says pointing to the bag in his hand.

“This is just all the stuff you came in with, the nurse just gave me it.”

“Oh…what’s in it?”

Kris walks over and hands the bag to his wife.

She begins to pull each item out.

“Well, that’s pretty sexy,” she says laughing as she pulls out the lacey red bra.

Kris laughs. “Yes, it is.”

“Where was I going exactly?” she says smiling.

“You were meeting me at my holiday party for work.”

“Wearing this?” she asks her eyebrows raising.

“It’s kind of a thing, I by you lingerie before every Christmas. And you wear it every year under some insanely hot dress at my holiday party. And then well…we…”

Noel smirks, crossing her arms, as she waits for him to finish.

“We?” she says smiling.

“We kind of have our own little celebration later that night, I rent a hotel room, we order room service, it’s like our own little sexy holiday tradition. I know it probably sounds silly…” he says looking away.

“No. It sounds fun.”

Kris looks up at her, their eyes locking, he smiles.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get to that, this year.”

“Hey the year’s not over yet,” he says.

Noel smiles, as her cheeks blush a pretty shade of pink. 

“So how long have we been married?” Noel asks.

“We actually just got married a month ago.”

“Oh…wow…so we’re newly weds.”

“Yup…” he says pulling out her rings from his pocket and handing them to her.

“Wow, they’re gorgeous,” she says admiring them.

“You don’t have to wear them yet, if you don’t want to,” he says nervously.

“Don’t be silly, I would love to wear them,” she says smiling as she hands them back to him.

He looks at her confused.

Noel holds her hand out, waiting.

“Aren’t you going to put them on me?”

“Oh of course,” her says smiling as he slides the rings onto her red manicured finger.

Kris leans in and cupping her face, he places a kiss on her lips.

Although caught off guard, Noel doesn’t flinch this time. 

Kris places his forehead against hers, looking into her eyes, he sighs, “I’m sorry, I just, I couldn’t help myself,” he says.

Noel smiles.

“I really do wish I could remember, I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Hey, I got you to fall in love with me once, I can do it again.”

Noel looks up at him, and pulls him in by his jacket, kissing him again. 

Kris wraps his arms around her waist pulling her closer to him, as he kisses her. Noel falls into it as she circles her hands around his neck.

Dr. King walks in.

“Oh I’m sorry.” 

Kris pulls away, as Noel blushes. 

“Are we getting our memory back already?” she says smiling and walking over.

“Not just yet,” Noel says looking away with a laugh.

“Oh…”

“Hey if you woke up to this gorgeous guy saying he was your husband, would you question that?” Noel asks.

Kris looks at her, smirking.

Dr. King, smiles, “Well you have a good point and a sense of humor, that’s fantastic.” 

Noel smiles. 

“I just wanted to check on you and do some blood work and routine stuff. Check your reflexes, things like that.”

“Ok,” Noel says smiling.

“Dr. King how long do you have to keep her here?”

“Once I get all the results back from the follow up tests, and I’m able to give her the all clear, you’ll be able to take her home…I’m thinking in a day or two.”

“Really?” Kris says smiling, “that’s fantastic.” 

Noel smiles rubbing his back, he turns smiling as she reaches for his hand.

He takes it, looking down at their hands, he smirks liking the way her rings sparkle on her finger…right where they belong. 

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edit.*
-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLOGMAS -Day 13- “A Husband for Christmas” Short Story

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Noel smiles into her mirror, pulling at her fitted emerald green mini dress, she turns in her mirror to check the back of her outfit. 

Just as she touches up her red lipstick, her phone begins to play a Christmas melody aloud.

Smiling at the “Hubby” title that flashes across the phone, she picks it up to answer it. 

“Hey baby,” she says her smile evident through her voice.

Kris smiles as he stands in the corridor of a fancy restaurant.

“Hey baby, are you on your way?”

“About to leave in a few minutes, just putting on the finishing touches.”

“Ah, all the bells and whistles for me?” he asks with a comic feel to his voice. 

“All the bells and whistles,” she says with a laugh.

Kris looks around surveying that he’s out of ear shot before making his next comment. 

“Please tell me your wearing that sexy red lingerie I bought you?”

Noel’s eyes go wide, as she gasps, Kris laughs.

“You better be alone right now,” she says her hands on her hips, as she rolls her sparkling brown eyes.

“Baby I think I can actually hear you blushing,” he says with a chuckle.

“Shut up,” she says laughing as she flips her perfectly curled brunette locks behind her.

“I’m sure you look perfect, just get your sexy ass over here quick. Everyone is asking me where my wife is and I’m kind of missing you.”

Noel laughs and smiles at the wedding picture of she and Kris on her vanity.

“I’m on my way.”

“Ok I’ll see you soon.”

“Bye, I love you.” 

“I love you…bye babe.”

Kris smirks and heads back into the restaurant. 

Noel rushes downstairs passing pictures of she and Kris throughout their relationship hung up on the walls of their cozy home. 

She grabs her purse, coat and car keys and rushes out the door. 

Kris is mingling at his holiday party, he checks his watch in between pleasant conversations with coworkers. 

Time begins to  pass and Kris begins to worry, he walks away to the side and dials his wife’s number.

It rings a few times and then goes to voice mail. 

Kris’ brow furrows, “Hey baby, it’s me. It’s been a bit since you said you were leaving. I figured you’d be here by now. Give me a ring, let me know your ok. I love you.”

Kris steps outside to look around.  The New York City streets glisten with Christmas lights.

Kris checks his phone again.

Nothing.

A co- worker Jack, steps outside, calling to him; “Hey Kris, what are you doing out here man?”

“I’m just waiting for Noel, she should have been here by now.”

“Did you call her?”

“Yea but it just rings and then goes straight to voicemail.”

“Well maybe she left her cell at home. I’m sure she’s on her way, you know the city, she probably just got stuck in traffic. Come on back in, it’s freezing.”

“No man, something feels wrong. I feel like something bad might have happened.”

“What? Are you crazy? What now that your married your gonna turn into a neurotic?”

“When it comes to Noel, I’m always a neurotic. She’s my everything. And she knows that. Which is why she always has her phone and she always picks up. And if she can’t pick up she texts.”

Kris looks at his phone again, he begins to pace, running his hands through his sandy brown hair, as he dials Noel again.

No answer.

Kris huffs, and leaves yet another message. “Noel, baby, please call me. Where are you? I need to know that your ok. Call me.” 

Kris hangs up his phone. 

He looks at Jack, “I need to go look for her,” he says beginning to turn away, as his phone begins to ring, mirroring the same Christmas melody Noel had playing earlier when he called her.

“Oh thank god, that’s her,” he says with relief.

“See there ya go, no need to get all worried,” Jack says.

“Hey Noel, Baby, where are you?”

“Hello Mr. Thornwood?”

“Yes. Who’s calling, where’s my wife?” Kris’ face falls, as his heart freezes in his chest, it begins to tighten knowing his suspicions might be true. The voice on the other end was not the voice he was used to. The happy, smiley tone of his beautiful wife. 

“Mr. Thornwood, my name is Dr. King, your wife was in a car accident, we are prepping her for surgery now, she’s at Mount Sinai Hospital.”

“Oh my god…What do you mean….What happened, what kind of surgery?”

“Mr. Thornwood, I don’t want to alarm you but your wife has to be tended to quickly. Once you get here, I will have an nurse fill you in.”

“Oh my god. I-I’m on my way,” he says his mind blurring, his sight hazy.

“What?” asks his co-worker.

“I have to go,” Kris says rushing toward the street to hail a cab. 

“Kris, man, what is it?” Jack says following him.

“My wife, she was… in some kind of accident, she’s in the hospital.”

Kris begins to panic as cab after cab passes him by.

“I have to get to her.”

“Kris, Kris come on, let’s take my motorcycle, it’s around the back,” Jack says taking off quickly. 

Kris nods and rushes off with his friend.

***

The hospital doors open, and Kris rushes in, blinded by the bright lights and chaos.

“Excuse me,” he says springing toward the nurses station.”Dr. King called me, my name is Kris Thornwood, my wife….(his eyes begin to fill up with tears) my wife… Noel Thornwood was in an accident. They said she’s in surgery. I need someone to tell me what’s happening.”

The nurse sympathetically looks up at him. 

“Hi Mr. Thornwood, Dr. King told me to expect you. Your wife is in surgery now.”

“What happened? Is she okay?”

“She was in a car accident and suffered some head injuries and internal abdominal bleeding. There’s an officer waiting near by to explain the details of the accident to you.”

“Is she going to be ok?”

“The doctor’s are doing everything they can do to make sure that she’ll be able to make a full recovery.”

Kris begins to feel his chest tighten up again, the heaviness creeping in, panic setting in.

“Excuse me, sir, are you Mr. Thornwood?” a police officer asks walking over to him. 

Kris looks up, “Yes, do you know what happened with my wife’s accident?”

“Your wife was involved in a head on collision, unfortunately there was some black ice that caused another car to spin out of control and drive into her. Although the roads are icy this time of a year, we are still investigating the driver who drove into your wife. There could be a possibility that the driver was under the influence.”

“So…your saying my wife’s accident wasn’t actually an accident?”

“As I said sir, we are still gathering evidence. There is no reason to believe anything foul was at play just yet. I assure you we will follow through and get to the bottom of this.”

“Oh my god…I can’t believe this.” 

Dr. King emerges from the operating room with a look of exhaustion.

“Who is here for Noel Thornwood?”

Kris turns and rushes over-“I’m her husband Kris. How is he? Is she gonna be ok?”

“She’s in recovery now, the surgery went very well, and we will know more about her release once she fully wakes up. She’s been in and out for a while, but she is just coming down from all the aesthesia, so maybe give her a minute to adjust.”

“Can I see her?”

“Yes but if she does wake up,  she’ll be groggy, so just make it brief.”

“Thank you.”  Kris says rushing in.

Kris walks into the recovery room to see Noel laying in a hospital bed dressed in a typical hospital robe he knows she would hate, covered in bruises and bandages. Her color pale. Her smile, faded. Her engagement ring and wedding band gone. 

Kris’ eyes well up all over again, as he walks slowly over to her bed side.

“Baby, my god, what happened to you? I’m so sorry.” 

Kris reaches and takes her hand in his lacing his fingers through hers.

“Noel, baby, I’m here. I’m with you.”

Kris’ eyes widen as he feels Noel’s grip tighten around his hand.

“Noel, Noel I’m here, baby, I’m here.” he says stroking her cheek, his wedding band catching the light from the terrible fluorescent glare above.

Noel begins to stir, her eyes flutter open. 

Kris sighs heavily.

“Hi. Hey beautiful. God, I’m so happy your ok. I love you so much,” he says leaning down and placing a sweet, yet firm kiss on her lips, his tears streaming down his face.

Noel seems uncomfortable, she stirs, her eyes darting around, trying to focus, trying to make sense of her surroundings.

“Baby, hey, I’m here, can you see me, what’s wrong? Are you in pain?”

Noel looks up into his eyes.

“Hey, what is it?” he says leaning in and cupping her face.

“Who…Who are you?” Noel asks, Kris’ face dropping along with his heart. 

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edit.*

-<3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Move- Chapter 11

I know it’s been forever but…We’re back! Aria and Liam’s love story continues…

MOVE poster

Previously on Move– Read Chapter 10 HERE

Catch up from the beginning HERE

Aria’s eyes flutter open, as her mind adjusts to where she is. Liam’s.

The sun light shining through crisp, light gray curtains as they blow, flowing in the gentle breeze rustling through the cracked window.

She smiles seeing him sleeping peacefully beside her on the couch. His arms wrapped around her waist.

Turning in his arms, she faces him as she places a kiss on the corner of his lips.
Liam stirs and opening his eyes, he smiles brightly.

“So it wasn’t a dream,” he says.
“Nope,” she replies laughing.
“God, I like waking up to you,” he says pulling her to him, as he kisses her again.
Aria smiles against his lips, her hand resting on his chest, she pushes him away gently.
“And I like waking up to you just as much, but-”
“Mm mm, no buts,” he says shaking his head and covering her lips with his, his arms tightening their grip around her pulling her closer to him. 
“You’re going to make it impossible for me to leave aren’t you?” she says with a laugh, kissing him back.
“That’s the plan, love,” he whispers in between kisses that just keep getting more intense by the second.

Aria’s body wraps around Liam, as her hands gently fall upon the muscles in his arms.
Each of their hearts beating rapidly, Liam’s hands firmly staying in their place on Aria’s waist.
Aria pulls away to come up for air, as she exhales, she locks eyes with Liam and they both laugh.
Aria takes Liam’s hand and places it on her chest- over her heart.
“Feel that- my heart is beating like crazy fast,” she says laughing.
Liam smiles, and taking her same hand, he places in over his heart, “We’re one in the same, love,” he says.
Aria looks up at him, and swiftly cups his face, pulling him to her, she kisses him passionately.
Liam responds quickly leaning into her kiss, as Aria falls back onto the couch.
After what feels like an eternity, Liam pulls away, sitting up.
“Aria.”
“Liam.” She says mimicking him as she lays beside him, reaching for his hand, he looks down at them and lacing his fingers through hers, he lets out a frustrated sigh.
“I don’t want to mess this up with you.”
“You’re not. You won’t.”
“If you keep kissing me like that, I’m going to lose any will power I have. And things could escalate quicker for us, then we planned. As it is, I’ve already seen you in your lingerie and I swear it is killing me, I can’t get it out of my mind,” he says a crimson blush crawling up his neck and cheeks.
Aria looks away and laughs.
“I’m serious, love, you are quite radiant and I just know that soon all the good manners I’ve practiced all these years, are going to fall straight out of my head. If I can be frank…(Aria nods her permission) I think you are incredibly sexy and every time I see you, I just want to rip your clothes off.”
Aria’s eyes shoot up and lock on Liam’s.
“Well then, we’ll have to set that dinner date up rather quickly won’t we?” she says smiling. “Although you did cook for me last night, so technically-“
Liam swiftly leans in and kisses her deeply, the urgency evident, as his hands finally slide along her body, cupping her bottom half.
Aria kissing him back, she wraps her arms around his neck.
Liam’s hands tug on the bottom of her hoodie, she lifts her arms up as he removes it tossing it to the side. Liam shifts her to a sitting position as she straddles him.
Aria breaking their kiss briefly she tugs Liam’s t-shirt off him. Smiling at him as her hands fall to his chest.
Liam smirks, cupping her face and pulling her to his lips, his hands ending up in her hair.
Aria looks at Liam as his breathing is quickened and raspy.
She reaches for the draw string on Liam’s pants, untying it, Liam’s lips moving to Aria’s neck.
“Where’s your bed room?” Aria whispers in a breathless tone.
Liam looks at her and he stills. Aria stares back, waiting.

Liam swiftly grips her legs and lifts her up, as he walks toward his bedroom.
Setting her on his bed, Aria slides her leggings off as Liam tosses his pants to the side, walking over to her, she kneels at the side of the bed in a similar black lingerie from earlier, reaching for him.
Taking her hands, he looks at her, “We’re really gonna do this?” he asks.
Aria looks up at him.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

* I do not take credit for the images used in my edits or otherwise.*
-<3-

 

 

 

 

Video Update

There are often so many areas of life we feel we need to be good at all the time. And often times we struggle trying to make that happen. It’s impossible. You can do anything but not everything. You can be anything, but you can’t be everything, to everyone, all the time. If you try to, you will break.

As the summer comes to an end, the self-bashing comes for not doing half of the things I wanted to. Summer is kind of like New Year’s Eve in that way, don’t you think? We make so many promises to ourselves and then life happens.

I’ve been really thinking about my relationship with video and film making. And because of this, I’ve learned a few things. I wanted to get really real with myself about this topic.
To back track just a bit, I have a Bachelor of Arts degree. I studied Mass Communications with a concentration in Film and Broadcasting. The dream-the goal- to write for television. And yet when I look at all the video projects I’ve actually finished…the total number is not many. Many unfinished scripts/ideas for scripts collecting dust too!

Back in college, I had to do a few projects- one was a music video which I did for The Civil War’s Poison & Wine and the other was a concept video which was about throwing away stereotypes- it was very abstract and I titled it “Tearing Down The Label Makers.” It’s crazy because I feel like the message holds even more relevance today. Then I worked on my thesis which as you may know was a documentary about a day/or days in the life of my Grandmother who had been struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. I did two versions of that for two separate classes- one was the full version, and one was an abridged trailer version entitled Vai Com Deus.

“Poison & Wine” Video Shoot-

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“Tearing Down The Label Makers” Video Shoot-

Tearing Down the Label Makers

Neither the music video nor the concept video have been uploaded to YouTube, although considering these two were my very first video projects I am still very proud of how they came out and the messages behind them. I’m seriously considering sharing them. Providing the actors give their permission for me to do so, actually I’m pretty sure I had them all sign release forms!

During my college years I also attempted to shoot a script I wrote called Dumb Luck. A lot of time and production went into that but, it never got finished and the footage has been difficult to revive since my college computer died on me and I’ve gotten a new one. I am hoping to revive that and get that up, it’s super raw,  and you can definitely tell I was just starting out but the story is juicy. We only got to shoot the montage sequence. But a few years ago I shared the script, if you’d like to read that…click HERE.

“Dumb Luck” Prop Pictures

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“Vai Com Deus” process-

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Since I graduated I’ve done a few little side projects that are actually finished- I shot a yoga video for my cousin, a poetry video for MLW- to name a few and a couple of vlogs. The vlogs are less planned and less cinematic of course.

Yoga Video Shoot (Behind the Scenes) (this is not available to watch,  even though she was happy with the result-the video was for a school assignment and my cousin didn’t want it uploaded.)

“Secret” Society Video Shoot/Vlogs (Behind the Scenes)

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Then there are more video attempts- there are bits of footage shot for a zombie horror short that my brother and I had been working on. We even got as far as building a timeline of the clips in editing, but then…life. Life came in, things got busy, I got distracted and something else needed my attention.

“Inhumane” process- (Behind the Scenes)

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Its 4 years now since I graduated and it seems that every time I get close to the idea of shooting something- I may do well for a brief time but then cue the rut.

The other day I was going through some old paperwork and things, trying to organize my room and I came across some old scripts and video treatments/storyboards. Both were horror related. One was the zombie short titled Inhumane, the other titled Head Over Heels (which I think would be a bad ass Halloween upload). And when I see these scripts and how the planning process was beginning it makes me want to get back into video. But then I hit a wall and the reality sinks in. There’s just no realistic way. For the past-I want to say 2 years- I have been well involved/invested in the engagements, weddings, bridal/baby showers of many people that are very close to me. And I have had to really dedicate my time and my funds to them. When I think about doing something short/simple- I think how I don’t have the actors, or the equipment, to do so.

I know I’ve mentioned this before, my brother is a photographer and he has a lot of equipment that I’ve used in the past. But I’m very weird about using it, mostly because he’s very particular about it, lol. And I get nervous I’ll do something wrong! And so because of that I am very weird about asking him for help. I feel like it’s a burden, especially now that he is newly married and he and his wife are expecting their first child. Even though he has been hounding me to get back into shooting Inhumane, I know he simply doesn’t have the time, we don’t have the people, and quite honestly there are just so many other things I’d love to shoot instead. #HeadOverHeels #MysteriousAttractionTeaser

I also don’t have the best sound equipment or the best editing software either so it’s kind of like a million things weighing against me. I think about how people would perceive the work I put out. “Didn’t she go to school for film and video? This sucks!” That’s how I feel they would judge it. Along with all the other worries, I fear I may not be good enough at it.

I know this may seem like I’m complaining and I’m not. I don’t want pity. I understand that life is fast paced and ever changing. I love being asked to be part of special moments in people’s lives. People who mean the world to me. But sometimes when everything seems to happen all at once it can be very overwhelming. And we all know that I can get overwhelmed pretty easily and my anxiety definitely tends to spike a lot more when too much change is happening.

I just think that in life you often have to prioritize and these things in my life have been coming one after the other and they need special attention. I’m the type of person who really wants to show up for you on your special day/during your special time. My relationships with my family and friends are everything to me. And so I give 150% every time. (Or at least I really try too!)

With my bank accountant taking some serious hits over the past few years, lol-so has my time management skills. I can multi task…sure…just ask my computer- I can have 8 different tabs open at once and hit all of them. But I can’t say with absolute confidence that I can multi task well all the time. I just end up overwhelming myself and needing to narrow things down. Focus on one thing at a time. Rightfully so…no? I mean how much wedding/baby events/day to day responsibilities can one girl take at once? Ya know? It’s a lot. But thankfully, thank god it’s mostly beautiful, happy stuff, all deserving of celebration. I will always be grateful for that.

Needless to say I know there are ways around this funk I’ve created for myself. I know that fear of inadequacy, lack of funds and time are a huge part of why video has taken a back seat. But I want to try and make some solutions to these problems.

Dear Michelle,

ACTORS ask people I know/ research sites that can help find actors willing to participate for low funds or pizza! Haha. Asking people you know, can be difficult, it doesn’t always work out. My film and video professor used to always tell us to have a plan B because people aren’t always reliable and it can break your heart when a project falls through the cracks. This I know first hand. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked family or friends to be apart of shorts and they cancelled on me because of work or life in general got in the way. It happens, I get it. But creatively, it’s heart breaking. Another thing to consider when filming is to keep the shorts abstract- quick cuts- simple images-

Avant Garde it- experimental film, experimental cinema- a mode of filmmaking that rigorously re-evaluates cinematic conventions and explores non-narrative forms and alternatives to traditional narratives or methods of working.

TIME make time- plain and simple. Plan it out, and stick to a schedule.

SPACE/LOCATION keep it local, go where you know- use people’s homes, lol.

FUNDS keep things simple/super low budget- use house hold items.

EQUIPMENT use equipment you have, or ask to borrow equipment in advance.

EDITING SOFTWARE use what you have and make it work.

FEAR“Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game.” -A Cinderella Story. Your never going to not be fearful of new challenges. You just have to decide how bad you want it, and be brave enough to just do it, to hell with what people think! 

When you’re just starting out, or easing back into something Don’t Expect Perfection! If things are a little janky, it’s ok, it’s better to shoot footage than not try at all. And Vlogs do count. I’ve noticed I like vlogging when I have some cool things to do, I just have to get better at the editing turn around. Mini Vlogmas is still only partially edited. :/ As is the Gender Reveal Party Vlog for my brother and sister in law and a Family Trip Vlog to Great Wolf Lodge we took last Summer. I also shot a bunch of footage of a Polar Express Trip and my best friend’s engagement night. Really got to get back to editing!!!!

*Current Update– Since I last scheduled this post (which was a while ago back in the Summer when I was what I like to call bulk blogging) I have edited my butt off and have finished editing Vlogmas, The Gender Reveal, The Great Wolf Lodge Trip and The Engagement. I however am torn as to whether or not I should post them on YouTube/link them on this blog. I know have alluded to the fact that I would post them, I’ve mentioned it in many blog posts [including the Vlogmas announcement], however I am not the only person in them and I don’t know if others would appreciate their images being out on the internet. I know- why announce Vlogmas, take forever to edit them, and then never post them. The truth is I did do a small Vlogmas, and I did edit them, but I don’t feel 100% comfortable sharing videos of my family. I may just keep them as home movies for me, and my friends and family. But I am excited that I got so many of them done. That’s a win for me!

When things start to settle down on the wedding/baby front, I will start to save up for some new equipment. In the mean time, I just have to do it. Pick up the camera I do have and shoot something. Stop worrying about how crappy it might turn out and just dive in. I know I’ll feel better once I do. And the excitement and natural high of doing something I love will come back. I just need to do and stop second guessing, stop making excuses and just use the time I do have for myself wisely.

The reason for this long winded post is because I needed it. Sometimes you need to reflect on all the ways you let life pass you by in order to make you realize that you need to try a little harder to make your dreams come true. Be a bulldozer – and plow through the writer’s block, through the lack of inspiration, through the Summer Blues, through the funk that I’ve been in, and just go for it!

So here’s hoping to change my mind set! Wish me luck. No Scratch that- Wish me determination!

 

*All images and videos are my own.*

-<3-

 

Move- Chapter 10

MOVE poster

Previously on Move– Read Chapter 9 HERE

Aria and Liam burst into Liam’s place, kissing, as they bump into a nearby potted plant, knocking it over. It shatters, but doesn’t make them miss a beat.

Liam’s hands cupping her face, deepening each kiss as Aria pushes the door shut.

Reaching for his jacket, she maneuvers it off as it falls to the floor. Liam’s hands circle her waist, but stay put as Aria reaches for his tie- loosening it and tossing it off.

“Aria?” he whispers.

“Shh, we’ve had this date with each other from the beginning,” she says smiling as she covers his lips with hers again, starting to unbutton his crisp white shirt.

Hitting a tough button, Aria breaks their kiss. Sighing in frustration, she rips the shirt open, buttons flying everywhere.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, this was probably so expensive,” she says looking around on the floor.

Liam pulls her back to him, “Do I look upset,” he says kissing her.

She laughs against his lips as her hands stroke his chest.

Aria pulls away to look up at him, for a beat, his kind eyes stare back waiting for her move.

She smiles, as she un-clips her black wrap around dress letting it fall open.

Liam’s eyes glance over her toned figure, as her lacey black lingerie set hugs her curves perfectly.

He lets out the breath he’s been holding in since he met her, “Wow,” he says coughing shyly looking away, as Aria looks after him with a small shy laugh.

Liam pulls her to him, placing a sweet, yet intense kiss on her lips, but soon pulling away he cups her face, staring at her.

“As much as I want to do this love, I don’t think it’s the best order of events.”

Aria looks up at him, confused, stepping back, and away from him.

Liam sighs.

“Please don’t miss understand. I like you. I really really like you. And I want this. I want you, so much that I don’t want to jeopardize it by moving too fast too quick. So before we let this go this far, I’d like to at least take you to dinner first,” he says smiling.

Aria sighs and starts laughing as she closes her dress and refastens it.

“Oh, right. Of course, that makes sense,” she says smiling. “I’m sorry I was pretty aggressive there,” she says with a laugh. “I’m sorry if I came on too strong.”

“Trust me love, I didn’t mind,” he says grinning down at her. “I was quite unprofessional with you from the start,” he smirks sheepishly.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Aria looks at him as they make their way to the kitchen.

“What would you say?”

“I would say that…we both probably….maybe…sort of…knew there was a spark there when we first met and then the universe kind of just kept throwing us together- it was hard to deny it.”

Liam looks at her and laughs.

“What?”

“I may have orchestrated a few of those run-ins we had.”

Aria looks up at him in shock.

“Wait…what? How?”

“I may have kept tabs on you.”

Aria gasps, “Wait…Did you Facebook stalk me?”

“More than I’d like to admit,” he says avoiding her eyes, as he grabs a few things from the fridge. Aria sits across from him at his kitchen island.

“Oh my gosh, well, now I’m flattered,” she says laughing as her cheeks blush.

“Really your not creeped out?” he says laughing as he begins chopping some vegetables.

“Well…that depends,” she says smiling.

“On?”

“On how many of these run-ins you actually orchestrated?”

“Oh boy…”

“All of them?”

“No…but most.”

“Which ones, come on, I need specifics here.”

“And let you think that we are anything but fate in human form, no thank you love.” he says smirking.

Aria walks over to him, coming up behind him, she circles her arms around him, her hands on his chest. 

Liam laughs.

“Please,” she says kissing his shoulder.

Liam turns in her arms and cups her face, “You fight dirty,” he says smirking.

Aria laughs, reaching up to kiss him, he accepts it with a smile.

“Fine, don’t tell me,” she laughs, kissing him once more, she walks away from him. “I really should be going, anyway.”

Liam looks after her, “Aria.”

Aria turns, “Would you like to join me for dinner?”

She smiles at him, “I would love to but I have a class to teach tonight and then I really need to get to the studio and work on my routine.”

Liam nods his understanding, but she can tell the sadness on his face.

“What about lunch tomorrow? I can come by the office.”

Liam smiles, “That would be perfect.”

“Ok I will see you tomorrow, then,” she leans over and gives him a kiss. “Bye,” she smiles and begins walking toward the door.

“Don’t worry I’ll tell Marco you say bye,” he says walking after her with a smirk playing on his lips.

Aria turns around, “Oh, ok,” she says laughing, “So your the jealous type?”

Liam walks over to her, his arms circling her waist.

“Only when it comes to you,” he says looking at her deeply.

Aria pulls him into a long kiss.

“Stay,” he whispers pleading with her.

“I can’t,” she says frowning, “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she places a quick peck on his lips and walks away.

Liam grabs her hand pulling her back to him, as he kisses her again, his feelings for her pouring out of him.

Aria looks up at him, her head in a fog for a beat.

“My driver is downstairs, let him take you.”

“No that’s really ok, I-“

Liam kisses her again, as Aria’s response is cut short.

“Ok,” she says looking up at him with a laugh.

He laughs, and opens up the door for her.

Grabbing her bag she walks out, and turns to face him.

“I had a really nice time,” she says smiling at him.

“Me too, love,” he says smiling brightly.

Aria waves and walks off.

Liam shuts the door, starring at it for a beat. He smiles to himself as he exhales deeply, running his hand through his hair. He walks back to his kitchen to continue making dinner.

***

Aria steps out of Liam’s black sleek car, and walks into the Gym.

Upon entering the locker room, she’s bombarded by questions from her girl squad.

“Where the hell have you been?” Yolanda says quickly with worry.

“Yoyo, I’m fine. I’m sorry, I got caught up.”

Molly and Allie exchange looks.

“Your still in your work clothes…” Molly says.

“I know, I have to change,” she says grabbing her work out clothes from her gym bag and un-doing her dress.

“Well well isn’t that set a little sexy for the work place, were you looking for a certain someone to see it?” Molly says coyly.

Aria laughs as she pulls on her clothes.

“Let’s just say I didn’t have to hope at all, it kind of just happened,” she smirks throws her stuff into her locker and closes it, walking off.

The four girls all look at each other, their mouths open as they rush after her into the gym.

The gym is already full of excited ladies ready to work out.

“I’m sorry WHAT?” Allie says excitedly.

“Did you guys have sex? Oh my gosh was it amazing? Is he like ya know…?” Molly says rambling.

“Oh ew,” Layla says her younger age showing.

Yolanda looks worried, “Please tell me you were safe?”

“Of course we were,” Aria says spinning around.

The girls all freeze.

“Because we didn’t have sex.”

Yolanda sighs of relief, “So where were you?”

“Aw, let down,” Molly says under her breath.

“I was with Liam and don’t get me wrong, we were well on our way to…but then he put the brakes on.”

“Wait I’m sorry HE stopped you?” Allie says.

“Yea, he said that he didn’t want to rush things.”

“Is he some kind of male robot, or something, because I feel like that never happens. If a guy gets a girl willing to have sex with him, he’s having sex with her. Case closed,” Molly says.

“Ok not every guy is like that,” Allie says.

“Oh please your only saying that cause your boyfriend Colin is as perfect as they come.”

“Maybe,” Allie says smiling.

“Liam is different too, I can tell. He’s a man, not a guy, not a boy. He’s a man, he knows what he wants.”

“And apparently, that’s you,” Molly says smiling.

“Oh so it’s back to Liam now,” Layla says laughing.

“Well considering I don’t work for him anymore…yea,” she says smiling.

“Wait when you text us to meet you here, I just assumed you were filling in again, did they offer you a full time position?” Allie asks excitedly.

“Yes!”

“Wooo! Yes girl! Congrats!” she says hugging her as all the girls join in.

“Ok, I really gotta get this class started, full details later” she says smiling, standing at the front of the class, pressing play on the radio.

As the music bursts through the room, bouncing off the walls, Aria begins doing the moves and calling them out as her class follows enthusiastically.

***

Liam finishes loading his dish washer and closes it, looks down at his floor and sees all the buttons scattered. He has a flashback of he and Aria during their intense moment and lets out a laugh, grabbing a broom, he begins to sweep them up.

***

Aria exits the gym, girls in tote.

“Guys, I really have to get to the studio to practice,” she says walking to the street and holding up her hand to hail a cab.

“Um hello you promised us details,” Allie says.

“And you will get them, just not now,” she says laughing.

“Your gonna make us wait?” Molly says whining.

“I will call you later and fill you all in, I promise,” she says walking over to give each of them a hug as a cab pulls up.

Aria gets to Yolanda and sees the worry etched in her facial features.

“Yoyo I’m fine. Nothing happened. And even if it would have happened, I know what I have to do to keep myself safe, ok. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Ugh yes I do,” she says hugging her. “Don’t make it too late.”

“I won’t, bye girls,” she says getting in the cab.

***

Aria’s body is sweating as she finishes her routine she looks in the mirror and smiles.

“We’re getting there,” she says to herself.

Her phone lights up and she walks over to check it, taking a sip of water.

She opens her Facebook app and sees Molly tagged her in a picture, the caption reading… “Work it girl.” #BESTZumbaInstructorAround #TakeHerClass #FullTimeInstructor

Aria looks at the picture, her body shining, fierce expression and a perfect view of her curves.

Aria smiles as she screen shots it and types out a message.

***

Liam stands at his canvas painting, his cell phone goes off. He smirks when he sees the message is from Aria- the same post from Molly with an added message that reads- “Just in case you didn’t see it on Facebook, here’s how my class went.”

He smirks looks over the picture, and sends a text back that reads-

That’s one hell of a view, love.

***

Aria reads it and blushes, responding-

I miss you. Is that weird to say?

***

Liam smiles, responding-

Well if it is, then I guess we’re both weirdos.

***

Aria smiles and dials Liam’s number.

He smiles seeing her name flash across his screen.

“Hello?”

“Is that your way of saying you miss me too.”

“Well, nothing gets by you, love.”

Aria laughs.

“How’s the rehearsing going?”

“Good, I should be wrapping up and heading home soon. I think I’m actually making some progress.”

“That’s fantastic.” (he pauses, thinking)

“Liam are you still there?”

“Come here.”

“What?” she says confused.

“My driver can be there to get you in 15 minutes, come back here, spend the night with me.”

“I thought we agreed that maybe we were moving too fast.”

“We don’t have to do anything. I just- I’d really like to spend more time with you. It’d be nice to fall asleep with you in my arms.”

Aria sighs, her smile bright.

“15 minutes, huh?”

“I’ll see you soon, love.” he says smiling as he hangs up.

Aria looks at her phone, her heart beating quickly.

She dials another number.

“Hello?”

“Yoyo, I have to tell you something. And you can’t freak out.”

“What?”

“I’m spending the night at Liam’s.”

“Aria…”

“I said not to freak out!”

“I’m not freaking out, I just feel like you say one thing and do another. You barely know this guy.”

“I know that. But it doesn’t feel that way. I feel like he’s been meant for me my whole life. We just fit. It just feels natural.”

“Aria are you sure about this?”

“I’m positive, I feel safe with him,”

“Fine. Your a grown woman, but you keep your phone on, and you let me know when you get there and you come home early tomorrow morning. I’m talking sun up, so are you. Please can you do that and save my sanity?”

“Yes of course. I love you yoyo.”

“I love you too, you pain in my ass. Please please please BE SAFE.”

“Nothings going to happen. I’m just going to spend time with him.”

“Right.”

“I’m serious. He’s not like that.”

“I hope your right, because if I don’t hear from you, I’m calling the cops on his ass!”

“Deal.” Aria says laughing. “And yo, can you just do me one favor…”

“Oh you are pushing it now, babe.”

“I’m sorry. I know.”

“What is it?” Yolanda says sighing and rolling her eyes as she stands folding clothes at home.

“Just please tell the girls, I’ll have to explain everything tomorrow.”

“Fine, but you owe us.”

“Dinner on me,” she says smiling and hanging up, a text from Liam pops up-

Car’s outside. Can’t wait to see you.

Aria smiles brightly rushing out.

***

Aria steps onto Liam’s penthouse floor and sees him waiting at the door with a bright smile on his face.

She smiles.

“Hello love.”

“Hi,” she says kissing him. “I’m sorry I’m a sweaty mess, I must look gross,” she says laughing.

“You could never,” he says cupping her face and kissing her again.

He takes her hand and leads her in.

“I’m really glad your here.” he says smiling at her.

“Me too.”

“Are you hungry?”

“I’m starving,” she laughs

“Let me heat you up some leftovers.” he says walking to the kitchen.

“Um, do you mind if I take a quick shower?”

“No of course not, do you need any clothes to change into?”

“Um no I keep some extras with me at the gym so just point me toward the bathroom and I’m good.”

Liam smiles and leads the way.

Aria walks into his crisp white porcelain bathroom, the shower is huge and it just glistens with cleanliness.

“Now this is a bathroom!” she says seeing it.

Liam laughs.

“Towels are in the cabinet over there, and soap and everything is in that one.”

“Thank you,” she says smiling, “I’ll be quick.”

“Take your time, I’ll go heat up that food.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, standing on her tippy toes and kissing him.

Liam walks out as Aria closes the door, she reaches for her cellphone-

“Hello? Hey Yoyo I’m here, I’m alive. Don’t worry. Ok? (she laughs) I love you, good night.”

Liam overhears and laughs.

***

Aria emerges from the bathroom all clean and cozy in a long sleeved thin hoodie and leggings, her hair long and damp.

Liam smiles as he places a plate of food on the table for her.

Aria sits.

“Wow this looks amazing, I didn’t know you cook, but of course you cook,” she says shaking her head with a smile.

Why are you so perfect, she thinks.

“Taste it first” he says with a laugh.

Aria takes a bite, “Oh my god,” she says closing her eyes. “This is amazing.”

“Yea?”

“So good, what is it?”

“It’s grilled chicken in a red wine sauce, my sister makes it even better.”

“Mmm, how is Sky, I didn’t see her at the gym tonight,” Aria says taking another bite.

“She’s good, she had a gig with her band. But I did tell her how you are teaching Zumba full time, it enlisted quite the squeal. I’d say she’s looking forward to it.” he says smiling as he leans across from her.

Aria laughs, “She’s a really sweet girl, I’m happy I got to meet her.”

“Me too, she’s probably the only sane person in my family.”

“Oh boy!” Aria says laughing.

“Do you want a glass of wine with that?” Liam asks.

“Sure, thank you.”

Liam walks to the cabinet pulling two glasses and sets to pouring the wine. He hands her a glass, with the company of a big smile.

“What?” Aria asks.

“Cheers to us,” he says clinking his glass into hers.

“Cheers to us,” she repeats taking a sip, a smile playing on her lips.

***

Liam and Aria sit on the couch, his arm draped over her and her body snuggled into his as the tv hums in the background.

Liam looks over at her, and she notices.

“What?”

“I just can’t believe your here,” he says sheepishly, his arm pulling her tighter into him.

“Aw,” she says smiling as she nuzzles closer to him. “There’s no where else I’d rather be,” she says kissing his cheek.

Liam looks at her lovingly, cups her face, and places a sweet kiss on her lips.

The two part and stare at each other for a beat, before simultaneously diving into another, more heated kiss.

Aria leans back on the couch, pulling Liam with her, and they continue to kiss, her legs and arms wrapping around him.

“I thought we said we wouldn’t do this,” he says in between kisses, his voice breathy.

“We’re not, we’re just kissing, that’s allowed right?” she says before placing another kiss on his lips.

“I like the way you think,” he says kissing her back.

“Yea?”

“Yea, I can kiss you all night.”

Aria smiles pulling him back to her lips as one of his hands cradle her head and one circles her waist, their lips barely parting for long.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

*I do not take credit for the images used in my edits or other wise.*

-<3-