tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9718151185120722832024-03-05T03:08:38.129-07:00Karey WhiteKareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.comBlogger527125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-35166641991071926412021-11-27T20:19:00.000-07:002021-11-27T20:19:06.228-07:00The Blood Rag--My Reward for Courage and Loyalty<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ewLSZH0Nh_5uNLiQicpEJ0C5mqxrDBmSCG0mUqx2m1FtBLyOW9jo9ovFVDqrEqBguO8euRPvqhNFuNbPBRH_va7n4PxcAbyn3DcagWRYwyxRliAF9MetYJCU7m6OXLxb5P0HYUTF2q0/s1600/school+ubs.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565138063388263602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ewLSZH0Nh_5uNLiQicpEJ0C5mqxrDBmSCG0mUqx2m1FtBLyOW9jo9ovFVDqrEqBguO8euRPvqhNFuNbPBRH_va7n4PxcAbyn3DcagWRYwyxRliAF9MetYJCU7m6OXLxb5P0HYUTF2q0/s400/school+ubs.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 283px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> We lived in Wallsburg and went to school in Heber, a twenty-five minute bus ride that wound around Deer Creek Reservoir. It seemed longer than twenty-five minutes. Most of the time, I propped my knees on the seat in front of me, and in classic shy-little girl style, lost myself in whatever book I was reading at the time.<br />
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Donald was our bus driver. He'd taken over the job when his Dad retired. I don't remember much about him except for the line that has become a classic in our family, "Quieten down now." This was usually said while he looked at the children in the wide rear-view mirror. I always hoped everyone would behave because when everyone was wound up, Donald looked so long and hard in that mirror that I was sure we'd go off the road, sink in the reservoir and die a tragic, drowning death.<br />
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After school, the bus students would line up on the north side of the school to catch the buses. Looking back, I'm not sure why the buses weren't there waiting for us, but they weren't. We usually waited on them, and waiting in that line was sometimes rough. I usually stood with my brothers. One day, Brady, a boy I liked and feared in equal parts was in a teasing mood and decided his target would be one of my little brothers, who stood in the line in a pair of pants that he was outgrowing. They were a little short. "Hey, Floods," Brady said to my brother. He said it a couple of different ways and I began to get angry.<br />
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I didn't like confrontation. I didn't like being picked on. I didn't like fighting. But even more than that, I didn't like one of my little brothers being picked on. With each insult, I got angrier. And braver. Finally, I stepped my 65 pound self in front of my brother and with a shaky voice said, "At least he grows, you shrimp." This was a terrible insult. Brady wasn't a big kid, but he was wiry, strong, scrappy and tough. He immediately turned his attention on me.<br />
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"What did you just say?" he said.<br />
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"At least he grows, you shrimp." Believe me when I say that this second insult was said with fear and trembling. And a much softer voice. But that didn't matter. The next thing I knew, my head was reeling and my nose felt the size of an orange. I reached up to touch it and when I moved my hand away, it was covered with blood. I'd never had a bloody nose before and I've never had a flowing bloody nose since. But my nose was like a faucet. Blood gushed through my fingers.<br />
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By this time, the bus had pulled up and Donald, seeing there was trouble stepped out. I don't know if he ever knew exactly what had happened, but he grabbed the blood rag from the floor under the glove compartment and pushed it up against my nose, took one of my hands and placed it over the rag to hold it in place. And I wanted to die. He might as well have stuck my head in a pig trough.<br />
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That rag had been there for years, maybe decades, and I'd seen it used several times. I don't think it had ever been washed. Every bloody nose on that bus for the past thirty years had bled into that rag. It was filthy. It was stiff. It smelled awful. I tried to move it away from my nose only to have Donald push it back firmly. "Keep it there. I don't want you bleeding all over the bus," he said.<br />
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I hadn't cried. Sure, my nose hurt. My eyes were stinging, but it wasn't until I knew that I was going to have to hold that foul thing next to my face for the next twenty-five minutes that the tears came. And they came all the way home. When we arrived at my stop, I dropped that large, grimy square of nastiness off in its special spot, where it stayed until the next bloody nose.<br />
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Brady's mom made him come and apologize to me. I felt oddly brave and tough, something very new for me. It was a heady feeling to know I'd provoked him so completely. But to this day, I get a little sick thinking about that awful blood rag. I deserved better than that.Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-45125946109518483632017-04-18T16:11:00.003-06:002017-04-18T16:11:21.923-06:00Tears & Loss & PeaceI've cried a lot the last nine days. First, I learned that the sweet girl that was my niece by marriage for a few years had passed away. Her mom, my once sister-in-law and still friend, had lost her oldest daughter. She was only thirty-six but had been suffering from the results of a terrible injury for more than a decade. My sweet nephews had lost their half-sister and the world had lost a lovely young woman who we will miss. Today was her funeral and my heart ached for her family, her fiance, and all of us who will miss her.<br />
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Four years ago, Savannah took her guitar to the Charleston, an assisted living facility not far from our home. She asked for the names of a few residents who might enjoy a couple of songs and a visit. That day she met William "Bud" Shelton, and a sweet friendship was formed. She visited him dozens of times over the last four years and some of those I was able to tag along. He requested songs (she<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">learned a Johnny Cash song for him), they talked about their lives (mostly his past and her future), they shared their world travels (his in the military and with his wife, hers last year with her siblings) they laughed together and cried together. When he said he'd really had a hankering for mincemeat pie, we made one for him. When Savannah told him she was going on a mission, he hobbled over to his wallet and pulled out a 50 dollar bill to help her out. A visit never passed without him talking about his sweet wife, Bessie, and what a good team they had been. He missed her so much. Every visit ended with us singing "How Great Thou Art" at his request while he mouthed the words and wiped away tears. This picture was taken the day Savannah left on her mission. He asked me to stop in every so often and let him know how Savannah was doing. Bruce and I saw him in March and he again expressed his love and appreciation for Savannah. He said, "that girl sure has brightened up this last four years. Be sure to tell her I love and miss her." Today when I went to visit Bud, I discovered he was reunited with his sweetheart on March 28, and although I'm thrilled that he's with his wife, my heart hurts for the sorrow Savannah will feel. Im so glad I was blessed to watch their sweet friendship. We will miss him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This month also marks the anniversary of my brother's death. Even after thirty-two years, I still think of him with an ache in my heart. He was only sixteen years old and there were so many things he didn't get to do, so many people he didn't get to meet. When I was young I thought I wouldn't be able to survive if something happened to one of my brothers or sisters. I wouldn't be able to go on. Somehow the ache and the gaping hole that Bruce's death left in our lives healed over, even though it left a tender spot that sometimes still hurts.</span></div>
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This life is so hard. Bud missed his wife for years and now we begin the missing him. We've missed Bruce for years. Meagan will be missed for years. How do we move on when pieces of us are cut away and laughter and hugs and conversations are gone? I honestly don't know how people cope with these kinds of losses without the hope of an eventual reunion. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-02-1000-the-prince-of-peace-find-lasting-peace-through-jesus-christ?lang=eng">This</a></span> is what gives me hope. This is the reason that even though there are tears and loss and heart-crushing pain at the loss of those we love, I look forward to seeing them again. I look forward to hugging Meagan again. I look forward to introducing Bruce to my husband and children. And I look forward to singing with Bud again and meeting his wife. I could not be more grateful for my Savior and all He made possible for me and those I love. He really is the source of peace.<br />
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<br />Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-77229774004673053752017-01-18T08:52:00.000-07:002017-01-18T08:52:05.686-07:00I Need to Write! A Convoluted Missionary Mom PostI guess there's no better way to burst back on my blog scene than with a random post. My heart is so full this morning and I feel a need to write. I could write on my work in progress--a romance--but I feel too distracted and my thoughts and emotions are all over the place.<br />
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Savannah left last night. It doesn't get easier, no matter how many you've sent out. My mom, who sent out nine, can attest to that. Savannah flew out last night at 11:59. Right now she's in the air somewhere between New York and the Dominican Republic. When I got home late last night, I found the sweetest letter and two printed pictures of us together. I'd thought I was about cried out, but not quite. Yesterday, her last day home, she took her guitar and went to sing for her 98-year-old friend, Bud. He cried during every song and thanked her for making this last four years a little happier. I asked her if she wanted a treat or something before she left and she requested roasted potatoes, so we made a big pan of roasted potatoes and sausages for her last meal at home. In the family room is the shoe box for the shoes that arrived in the mail just hours before she left. On the table is the Ticket to Ride game we played yesterday afternoon. She won. This morning I walked past her room--she left it clean--and saw her made bed and her plants and her crafting table. It'll be a long time before I hear her in there drilling glass or walk by and shake my head at her messiness. I miss her so much and I have to remind myself what I learned when we sent Bruce and Veronica on their missions--this time between them leaving and the day the letters start coming is torture. But when the letters start coming, it gets better. I can make it. I've done it before. I think I can. I think I can...<br />
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Of course her dad and brothers miss her, but man, the last couple of days my girls have been killing me. After she was set apart on Monday (a special blessing that officially means she's a missionary) I walked into the girls' bedroom and found them sitting on the bed holding hands and sobbing. Last night Veronica cried all the way home. I remember when Veronica left. Savannah was lost without her sister. I'm so sad for the heartache and homesickness for each other they feel, but so, so grateful they're such good friends and love each other so much that they feel this way. I absolutely hated dropping Veronica off at her college house last night. I just wanted to take her home with me.</div>
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Bruce is waiting to hear from the grad schools he's applied to. I'm excited to know where he'll go, but none of them are close and holy cow! Another goodbye. At least we'll have phone calls and texts so I can know his news in almost real time. But sometimes it all feels like too much. To much emptiness. Too much homesickness. To many goodbyes.</div>
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This whole kids growing up thing is for the birds. I know it's a cliche, but it's a cliche because it's true. It all goes by so fast. I remember thinking that being a mom of babies and toddlers is hard, but I'm here to tell you that at least for me, being a mom of kids that are growing up and leaving and dealing with dating and disappointments and traveling far from home--that's harder. Maybe I'm a control freak or allergic to goodbyes or just plain bad at change, but I want hit the brakes, put the car in reverse and go back about ten years. Or a few years. Or to last week when we were all together.</div>
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<br />Grandpa and Grandma came for Savannah's setting apart and it was wonderful having them here. Then they left and were well on their way home when we realized we had stupidly forgotten to take any pictures. We didn't know it but they felt the same way and almost turned around and came back. Savannah was sick about it yesterday morning, so she had me call them to see if they'd come to the airport for pictures. They had been feeling the same way but hadn't wanted to interrupt our family goodbye. So glad we called. They met us at the post office by the airport and we got pictures and Savannah was able to give them a few more hugs. It was perfect, really--the post office was closed but the lobby was open and well-lit (even if the lighting was ugly florescent bulbs) and we had it to ourselves.</div>
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Before we went to the airport, we went to Joe's basketball games. He had a good JV game and then got in his first varsity game. It may be silly, but I was so glad Savannah (and the whole family) got to be there for his first varsity minutes.</div>
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I don't want to spend the day wallowing. I need to remind myself that this is exactly what I want--children that grow up confident enough to leave home, children that love us enough to feel sad when they go, children who love Jesus Christ and their Heavenly Father enough to sacrifice a big piece of their lives to serve him, children who choose to serve and love and teach strangers who become friends. I'm sad and I'm missing my girl, but I'm so grateful to be the mother to such wonderful people.</div>
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And now I need to go clean a closet or something.</div>
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Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-22973716446338809102016-04-22T14:11:00.000-06:002016-04-22T14:11:00.975-06:00Doing My Best to Turn My Black Thumb GreenA year ago we moved into a new-to-us house. We fell in love with the house, but the yard was in rough shape. I mean rough! I wish I had taken before shots so you could see I'm not exaggerating. The back yard is two levels. You access the lower level via a steep, curving sidewalk. My husband calls it the luge run. When we bought the house, the lower lawn had turned wild--overgrown, waist-high grass and weeds, and every flowerbed and rock wall were wild and weedy.<div>
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Last year was about cutting it all back to the basics. The lawn was a bust, so it all had to come out and new sod brought in. The rest was a different story. There were too many beautiful plants that just needed freed from the chokehold of weeds and thistles and junk.</div>
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I've never been a good gardener. Every garden I've ever planted has died. I can't remember ever harvesting something edible. But I want to and I've tried time and time again. So it is with trepidation that I've looked out over the beautiful back yard we've found lying under all the overgrown stuff.</div>
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Please don't let me kill it. Please don't let me kill it! PLEASE DON'T LET ME KILL IT!!!</div>
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I want these trees and bushes and flowers to live and thrive. I love them. I've been out weeding, loosening the hard-packed dirt that clings to the roots I'm trying to pull out. I'm climbing rock walls and hauling out wheel-barrows of evil plants that want to strangle the flowers. I've been sorer than when I worked out with a trainer, and a few times my allergies have kicked in and I've looked like a prize fighter. </div>
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But it's coming and I'm loving it and I'm browsing the internet for new plants, flowering ground cover that keeps weeds at bay, bushes that smell lovely, grasses that will add a little color to the planters in front, herbs and vegetables that can be grown in containers on the deck.</div>
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Is it possible to turn a middle-aged black thumb green? I sure hope so.</div>
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And now, for your springtime enjoyment (but mostly mine), here are a few of the pictures I've snapped in my back yard.</div>
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Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-10732308620665037562016-02-29T11:28:00.001-07:002016-02-29T14:07:01.354-07:00A Few of My Favorite ThingsIt's been a while since I did a favorite things post, and since I have good news to share, this seemed like a good time to put one together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1Cvnby2SybWcferPUh9KhJP2wswfF8iW5rNOF4M53NoV7ledoNx1y5s2KkNeKhCafKqx1ICFsJqLeMJKDXp-2HrFnXfRPruClSjYr12dnFYhtmSTdBHLMad_RDzvLf0EfSCYAa-QTtg/s1600/sous+vide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1Cvnby2SybWcferPUh9KhJP2wswfF8iW5rNOF4M53NoV7ledoNx1y5s2KkNeKhCafKqx1ICFsJqLeMJKDXp-2HrFnXfRPruClSjYr12dnFYhtmSTdBHLMad_RDzvLf0EfSCYAa-QTtg/s320/sous+vide.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sous Vide Immersion Circulator</h3>
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Friday evening we were invited to a special cooking class/tasting dinner with award-winning chef, John Newman. As he prepared some incredible food, he used a tool that has now shot to the top of my Christmas list. I'd never heard of this tool. It's called a Sous Vide. Have you heard of it? It's used in the best restaurants and it's amazing. He had a plastic bin sitting on the counter with the Sous Vide in it. He'd slow cooked our pork tenderloin in it and it was so tender and delicious. I'd just about given up on ever cooking perfect pork tenderloin. The great thing is, it CAN'T overcook. It can sit in the waterbath all day long and never overcook, so dinner's ready whenever you want it to be. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? There are a variety of options available online, but this one was one of the less expensive ones and it gets great reviews, so next year, give me a call, and we'll have you to dinner. We'll serve perfect pork tenderloin! (If you get one before me, I'll let you cook for me.) Read more about it and pick yours up <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sansaire-Sous-Immersion-Circulator-Black/dp/B00KSFAB74?tag=karwhi09-20"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">HERE</span></a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIZB2Sfe1uslRZ4_L9zUptuJBvBpfdJRSEllv9eQV1fmYqJHjGCjdkeLpJyFSSMf0BBzCJawwZqtvyrS3JvCiBEt5ZiHpAk_9nsPeJiwg9DKvxCQhyphenhyphen7bRKmiK46b9Ugbq-aF2GJZZTYI/s1600/cities+coloring+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIZB2Sfe1uslRZ4_L9zUptuJBvBpfdJRSEllv9eQV1fmYqJHjGCjdkeLpJyFSSMf0BBzCJawwZqtvyrS3JvCiBEt5ZiHpAk_9nsPeJiwg9DKvxCQhyphenhyphen7bRKmiK46b9Ugbq-aF2GJZZTYI/s320/cities+coloring+book.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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3D Cities Coloring Book</h3>
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My kids gave me a coloring book for Christmas that has quickly become my go-to coloring book. The pictures are bold, busy, and a blast to color. I'm working my way through the book. It's called 3D Coloring - Cities. It even comes with a silly little pair of 3D glasses that actually work. But the fun part is the coloring. You can get yours <a href="http://www.amazon.com/3D-Coloring-Cities-Emma-Segal/dp/1626864578?tag=karwhi09-20"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">HERE</span></a> or simply browse through the dozens of cool, adult coloring book options.</div>
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Here's one of my masterpieces. Looks fun, huh?<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71k7ffDKCfL._SX466_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71k7ffDKCfL._SX466_.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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Opi Nail Lacquer in Put it in Neutral</h3>
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The last several years, I sorta quit wearing any nail polish and only painted my toenails during sandal months. Then a few months ago, my nails started peeling and seemed really weak. I didn't want to use the bright colors I use on my toes on my fingernails, but I wanted something that would strengthen my nails and look natural and understated. I can't remember where I read about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Soft-Shades-Spring-Color/dp/B00UY1KDIE?tag=karwhi09-20"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">THIS</span> </a>brand and color, but I decided to give it a try and I LOVE IT! The great thing is, it lasts really well, too. It's an appropriate color for any occasion and any age and my nails are so much stronger and healthier. Give it a try.</div>
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Himalayan Salt Lamp</h3>
There all kinds of websites that will tell you the benefits of a Himalayan Salt Lamp. It's all about the ions and what it does to our energy and how it's a good antidote to all our electronics that are sucking the good stuff out of our air, and on and on. I'll let you read up on all that if you want, but I'll just tell you that if all they say is true, yay! Because I have one and I love it. But here's the thing. I'd want it even if all that wasn't true, because when it comes to a beautiful, warm, nightlight, there's nothing like it. It glows just enough to make my house safe when someone needs to get up for a drink of water or whatever. It's cozy and perfect for helping create hygge in my home, which is one of the things I'm trying to do this year. If you're looking for a moderately priced one, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/WBM-1002-Himalayan-Natural-Crystal/dp/B001892AX2?tag=karwhi09-20"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">HERE</span></a> is a good option.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZD_Ws201x8OcrH0aXOLonyUbJI4qPtu4wYR0ks0a20IoAuXHZHkZB6uJYqGdU5M28-BSS7CRoW8DCEcgiuZSdvmkHwewM4-CtkvxMJb-jYAUBkNvyTggkF0kXZVYXxd8lG0VtrgZxwA/s1600/rejuvinate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZD_Ws201x8OcrH0aXOLonyUbJI4qPtu4wYR0ks0a20IoAuXHZHkZB6uJYqGdU5M28-BSS7CRoW8DCEcgiuZSdvmkHwewM4-CtkvxMJb-jYAUBkNvyTggkF0kXZVYXxd8lG0VtrgZxwA/s320/rejuvinate.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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Rejuvenate Hardwood Floor Cleaner</h3>
Our last house didn't have wood floors. This house does and I love them. But especially during the wet, winter months, they need a little extra attention. This is my wood floor's best friend and I quite like it because it's so stinking easy. Spray <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/WBM-1002-Himalayan-Natural-Crystal/dp/B001892AX2?tag=karwhi09-20">THIS</a> </span>lightly and then go over it with a dry swiffer and your wood floors will look shiny and beautiful. It doesn't take much to get the job done. One bottle lasts a long time. Your floors and your back will love you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh6PZYE0FAQoZiXXniG1cTIsAcypzxkJyPVxn_7GJzxOjHKOR9a05YTNqtVM6f9cnWIQqw4q4_1lI4pJCWX85WoJG0-23KEQKIpe6KcLZo4JhNZ38js4MDQv7zQq5Klo35PayfKT2h7k/s1600/Maggie%2527s+Song+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh6PZYE0FAQoZiXXniG1cTIsAcypzxkJyPVxn_7GJzxOjHKOR9a05YTNqtVM6f9cnWIQqw4q4_1lI4pJCWX85WoJG0-23KEQKIpe6KcLZo4JhNZ38js4MDQv7zQq5Klo35PayfKT2h7k/s320/Maggie%2527s+Song+Cover.jpg" width="207" /></a><br />
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Maggie's Song</h3>
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Finally, my favorite thing of all today is that you can now read <i>Maggie's Song</i> on it's own. Two years ago, <i>Maggie's Song</i> appeared in the <i>Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letters Collection</i>. Today it's available on its own. Don't you love the cover? I made a few little changes to it, but it's still the same story. It's a novella. You'll be able to read it in an hour or two. But hopefully you'll be satisfied. It's Savannah's favorite thing I've ever written. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Maggie Jensen is part of a trio of best friends with Lucas and Dan. Together, they own and run Wild Country Hiking Tours. When Lucas returns to the company after getting his college degree, Maggie realizes that the crush she had on him as a teenager has now blossomed into so much more. But Lucas still treats her as one of the guys, and Maggie worries that if she tells him her real feelings, their relationship will be damaged forever.</span></span> Right now it's available <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Maggies-Song-Romance-Karey-White-ebook/dp/B01C9KNTF6?tag=karwhi09-20"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">HERE</span></a> in ebook form. The print version will be available in the next couple of weeks.<br />
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What are some of your favorite things right now?Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-53982314660478711682016-02-01T16:24:00.000-07:002016-02-01T16:24:01.582-07:00It's February! You Know What That Means<span style="clear: left; color: #ea9999; float: left; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span><span style="clear: left; color: #ea9999; float: left; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span><span style="clear: left; color: #ea9999; float: left; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span><span style="clear: left; color: #ea9999; float: left; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">A<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl6t6RXFG8uhVNDPXloUo_Be-7XKC6evGz6iA5yfkfNfIVk9f2q0_Y40mmiRHTdW7ifYGGORLxQsjG06ug_cRxO8NUESExYdSmL-d3c8yuXcOxhtBJvkj3GTNy3n1je0kah1FHUOiB9Ur/s320/Not+Always+Happenstance+GR.jpg" width="206" /></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666;">A New Book in The Power of the Matchmaker series:</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;">Lani has lived in Hana, Hawaii for five years. She's learned to surf, fish, dive, and manage her grandmother's bed and breakfast. She's also learned to take one day at a time the way it should be taken</span><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">—</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;">relaxed and unrushed, savoring every moment.</span><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;">But, like a large wave on the brink of breaking, her life is about to crash out of control. A proposal of marriage, a conniving grandmother, a cryptic Asian woman, and a handsome guest, and suddenly everything calm begins to churn, everything clear becomes confused, and all that was normal segues into peculiar.</span><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;" /><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.4px;">As Lani struggles against the current to hold her ground, she realizes that she can either continue to fight and eventually lose, or take a take a leap of faith, hold her breath, and ride the wave wherever it takes her.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;"><i>Loved it! A great escape and like always a lovely story that drew me in and wouldn't let go until the very end. Highly recommend!</i></span><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;"><i> </i></span><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">—</span><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">Kathy, Goodreads.com</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>A very quick and beautiful read that made me want to move here and live among the locals.</i></span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">—</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Maureen, Goodreads.com</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">N</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">OW AVAILABLE AT</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Not-Always-Happenstance-Power-Matchmaker/dp/1941363156?tag=karwhi09-20"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">AMAZON</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">, </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-always-happenstance-rachael-anderson/1122924436?ean=2940152743081" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">BARNES AND NOBLE</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">, </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1056820175" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">iTUNES</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">, and </span><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/not-always-happenstance" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">KOBO</a></span></b></div>
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Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-43769311492847048352016-01-29T16:39:00.001-07:002016-01-29T16:42:24.431-07:00Book Review - Several years ago, I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Driven-Autobiography-Larry-H-Miller/dp/1606416561?tag=karwhi09-20">Driven</a>: An Autobiography. It was the story of Larry Miller, the businessman behind the car dealerships, movie theaters, and the Utah Jazz. It was fascinating and I recommended it to so many people. When I heard about this new book about Miller, I knew I wanted to read it. I hoped I'd enjoy it as much as I had Driven, and it didn't disappoint.<br />
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Behind The Drive is divided into ninety-nine short (most are three pages), first-hand stories of the men and women who knew Larry Miller. They range from former Jazz players, business associates, childhood friends, people who Larry and his wife helped, family members and more. The stories shed light the complicated, interesting man who died too young. They tell of his competitiveness, his work ethic, his fiery temper, his athletic ability (he played professional softball), his unusual management style, his integrity, and his generosity. I read many of the stories aloud to my husband or family. There is not only a lot to be admired from the experiences shared, there is also a lot to learn. For anyone who loves Salt Lake City (me), loves the Utah Jazz (me), has managed their own business (me), or loves hearing stories of flawed people who do great things (I'd like to think someday that will be me), this is a wonderful book to read. Read it in small doses or read it as you would a novel. Either way, I can just about guarantee, you'll find things that make you laugh and inspire you.</div>
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Get your copy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Larry-H-Miller-Inspiring-Entrepreneur/dp/1629720941?tag=karwhi09-20">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-74812207323650785012016-01-01T09:28:00.000-07:002016-01-01T09:28:11.837-07:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First of all, </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">H</span><span style="color: #e69138;">a</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">p</span><span style="color: #93c47d;">p</span><span style="color: magenta;">y</span> <span style="color: blue;">N</span><span style="color: cyan;">e</span><span style="color: #bf9000;">w</span> <span style="color: red;">Y</span><span style="color: orange;">e</span><span style="color: magenta;">a</span><span style="color: cyan;">r</span><span style="color: #a64d79;">!</span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">!</span><span style="color: #93c47d;">!</span></b></span><br />
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Secondly, today is release day for <i>Broken Things to Mend.</i></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit, I'm super nervous. It's the first full-length novel in the Power of the Matchmaker Series, and I don't want it to fizzle and die like last night's sparklers, I've been proud of everything I've released to this point in my writing life, but this one feels different. Maybe it's the tone the story took, maybe it's the flawed and broken characters, maybe it's that it stretched me when I wrote it, maybe it's that I fell hard for the setting (seriously, Sisters, Oregon is one of the loveliest little towns), or maybe it's a combination of those. Whatever it is, I'm really proud of this book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you enjoy it! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTLGEzhkSZV6Isx7JiiKw4RQhZVofa3vLVH7xyBsJyG1oSy_SE-R9DiC1v5gR0iZPBEFnHW4iQMZ5zlhrF_z6XfEQcBa8yn-gGneLGxrOjxVa5DsGBhhSoWeix3INb9R52LtS9qxXetQ/s1600/Broken+Things+to+Mend+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTLGEzhkSZV6Isx7JiiKw4RQhZVofa3vLVH7xyBsJyG1oSy_SE-R9DiC1v5gR0iZPBEFnHW4iQMZ5zlhrF_z6XfEQcBa8yn-gGneLGxrOjxVa5DsGBhhSoWeix3INb9R52LtS9qxXetQ/s320/Broken+Things+to+Mend+%25281%2529.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Celia is in desperate need of a change--a change of scenery, a change of pace, and a complete redo of all relationships. Not knowing what else to do, she opens a map, closes her eyes, and lets fate decide her future. Then she packs her meager belongings and buys a one-way ticket to a little town on the fringes of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest called Sisters. She's wanted a family for years. Will she find one in Sisters? </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">What Celia doesn't plan to find is a strange Chinese woman whose meddling ways keep throwing her in the path of a handsome, but reserved, forest ranger. But no matter how kind or dependable Silas seems to be, there are some things in Celia's past that neither of them can escape, and this time, the damage might be too much to mend.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">What people are saying:</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>"Once I picked up Broken Thing To Mend, I was gone. From the first to the last page this one was a page-turner for me." - Maureen</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>"I think this is White's best work yet. I couldn't put it down. Loved it!" - Anne</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Get your copy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Things-Mend-Power-Matchmaker-ebook/dp/B0178WF1YM?tag=karwhi09-20"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here. </span></a></span></div>
Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-5020228752890162452015-12-03T09:06:00.000-07:002015-12-03T09:06:09.353-07:00Embarrassment, Pain, & Tender MerciesLet me set the stage: It's Joe, my youngest son's, first basketball game as the starting point guard for his junior high team. He's just played a great game--seventeen points including 9 out of 10 free throws. As usual, I sat on the top row of the bleachers. I like having the wall as a backrest and it's a good view of the court.<br />
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The game ended, the team went into the locker room, and parents stood around talking--a few up in the bleachers, more on the floor at the bottom of the bleachers.<br />
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Across the gymnasium, I saw Joe come out of the locker room. I picked up my purse and phone and started down the stairs to meet him.<br />
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The bleachers are the pull-out kind and for some reason, the second to the top step wasn't fully extended. I hadn't noticed that when I went up, nor did I notice it when I started down. My foot landed on the shorter step, and since only a tiny bit of my heel had anything to gain traction on, my foot folded over the edge of the step.<br />
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What happened next was spectacular. As my foot folded, my body twisted. I'm not sure if I was trying to reach for something or if the momentum of my twisted foot just worked it's way through my entire body, but somehow I did a half-twist that threw me onto my back, on the steps of the bleachers. I reached for something to stop me, but came up empty-handed as I slid/bounced from the top of the bleachers to the bottom.<br />
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When I finally came to a rest, amid shrieks from all sides, my head was on the basketball floor while my body and legs were up the bleachers. Yes, they were still attached, but just barely.<br />
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In a panic, my husband and two sons came running over. "Karey, are you okay?" "Mom, mom, what happened? Are you all right?" Travis (husband) and Bruce (oldest son) took my hands and tried to pull me up, but have you ever tried to get up when the lower half of your body is at a much higher elevation than the upper half? It's nearly impossible. It goes against the laws of nature or physics or decency. Feel free to try it if you don't believe me.<br />
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The solution: Pull mom down the rest of the way to the floor and then help her up. And do this in front of most of the parents and now several of the boys on the team.<br />
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I used to think I wanted my superpower to be teleporting, but at that moment, I wanted the power of invisibility.<br />
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Somehow they managed to get me upright and sitting on the bottom row of the bleachers. Concerned faces were all around me asking about my condition. In truth, I was in excruciating pain, but I smiled and joked that only my pride was hurt. A few tried to ease my embarrassment with jokes. I reached over to pick up my purse that had landed on the bottom step, but unfortunately, I hadn't zipped it up and so the contents spilled all over the bottom step of the bleachers and the floor.<br />
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In just a few short moments, I became the object of concern and pity and probably humor, although everyone did a remarkable job of not laughing hysterically. Thankfully, everyone was kind and the boys even had a string of text messages asking about what had happened to Joe's mom and about my well-being.<br />
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Let me interrupt this moment of mortification with a question. Why couldn't someone have captured this on their phone? I promise you, it would have gone viral. It was a fall worthy of repeated viewing and sharing all over social media. It would have been shared on Buzzfeed and Huffington Post. It could have made someone rich.<br />
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Anyway, it's been two days now and yes, I can laugh about it, but I feel like I lost a cage fight. I've had a little time to think and have recognized two tender mercies. When I think of a tender mercy, I usually think of a small good thing that happens in the midst of a big bad thing, but these two things seem pretty big to me.<br />
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Tender Mercy 1: No one was standing on the bleachers in front of me. At the most, I could have killed someone. At the least, I would have maimed someone pretty badly.<br />
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Tender Mercy 2: I almost wore a dress that day, but at the last minute, opted for jeans and a sweater. A dress twisted around my waist would have upped the humiliation factor ten-fold. Dodged the bullet there.<br />
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I have just one question for you. If anyone has an answer, please feel free to share it. Why do some people get to go through life with grace, composure, dignity, and beauty? They glide through life, never getting ruffled, always looking prim and put-together. I, on the other hand, get to barrel through life, lumbering, careening, tumbling and splatting.<br />
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Right now I'm moving slowly and carefully. Now if I can just make myself do the same when the aches and pains are gone.Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-41826271408895620652015-11-05T09:47:00.001-07:002015-11-05T09:47:08.290-07:00BOOK NEWS & A GIVEAWAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">NOVEMBER might just be my favorite month. The fall leaves are still hanging on and I get to pull out my sweaters and tights, I was married on a sunny, cold day in November, and we celebrate my favorite holiday--Thanksgiving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, to celebrate November, let me tell you about my newest project and a fantastic giveaway!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every once in a while an opportunity comes along that feels extra special. This project is one of those opportunities and the fun has begun. Let me tell you a little about it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Twelve months, twelve best-selling & award-winning </b></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>authors, twelve romances that span centuries, </b></span><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>one match maker.</b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To get to the match maker and her incredible story, you can order the prequel novella <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Power-Matchmaker-Karey-White-ebook/dp/B013FIOAE0?tag=karwhi09-20"><span style="color: #bf9000;">HERE</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />Then, starting in January, you can begin reading the books inspired by--and featuring--the match maker. Each is a stand-alone novel, so no one will have to hate me for a cliffhanger ending. (Hopefully those of you that were upset with me during The Husband Maker series have forgiven me enough to give my novel in this series a chance <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: xx-small;">wink, wink</span>)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My contribution to this project, <i>Broken Things to Mend,</i> comes out January 1, 2016 and is available for preorder <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Things-Mend-Karey-White-ebook/dp/B0178WF1YM?tag=karwhi09-20" style="color: #bf9000;">HERE</a><span style="color: #f1c232;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm really proud of this book. Celia and Silas are damaged people who feel their circumstances have forced them into hard, lonely lives. The possibility of connecting with and loving someone takes them by surprise. The baggage of their painful pasts might be too much to overcome.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWUDMVlPeiHbKJXwr9FMNq_hrookUCHTbARYMKd5mQWJ2NfGA25Napald8AjMtofMnDSnzfqY5LGthtlwjATgsqcYH5BQ-tsSCq4Ug_O3mgY8-lvMj05gX9l_iz1Lz7KBOqKGkbODsJQ/s1600/Broken+Things+to+Mend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWUDMVlPeiHbKJXwr9FMNq_hrookUCHTbARYMKd5mQWJ2NfGA25Napald8AjMtofMnDSnzfqY5LGthtlwjATgsqcYH5BQ-tsSCq4Ug_O3mgY8-lvMj05gX9l_iz1Lz7KBOqKGkbODsJQ/s320/Broken+Things+to+Mend.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To celebrate this exciting project, I'm sponsoring a giveaway on my blog for a $50 Amazon gift card. That would go a long way toward buying each of the books in this project, but of course it's yours to spend however you wish.</span></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="1bce8a3d17" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1bce8a3d17/" id="rcwidget_v1tho6ua" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-92201086997854950042015-10-24T14:30:00.002-06:002015-12-22T13:28:20.103-07:00Book Recommendations for 2015 (so far)So far in 2015, I've read 56 books. To some of you that might sound paltry, to others it may sound like a ton! In every writing class or conference I've ever attended, we're told the best way to be a better writer is to READ, READ, READ. So I have. And now I want to share some thoughts with you.<br />
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Take heart! I'm not going to review everything I've read here. It would take too long and if I didn't much care for it, why would I waste your time with it? I'd love to hear what you think of some of these, if you've read them. If not, feel free to share some of your favorites.<br />
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THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP by Marie Kondo</h3>
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Not sure what to say about this book except that it was life changing. For real. Marie's advice can sound a little kooky sometimes and I'll admit, I have yet to let my socks speak to me and let me know the way they want to be folded, BUT... the point of this book is that we should rid our homes of everything that doesn't bring us joy. If we don't love something and it doesn't spark joy, it's gone. (It's talking about things, not husbands who come home from work grouchy or kids that won't clean their rooms.) We were house hunting when I read this book and found the house we put an offer on shortly after I finished it. Because we were in major upheaval and transition anyway, I decided I'd try to put the book's advice to use and I GOT RID OF SOOOO MUCH. I did my best to only fill the new house with things I loved, things that made me happy. It wasn't perfect--some things spark joy in my husband and kids that I'd just as soon not have in the house, but it really was an amazing experience and I totally recommend reading this book. I think it might change the way you look at your things and it really does make tidying up easier. That right there is magic!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing-ebook/dp/B00KK0PICK?tag=karwhi09-20">AMAZON kindle </a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308?tag=karwhi09-20">AMAZON hardback </a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/B00RC3ZGN4?tag=karwhi09-20">AUDIBLE</a></div>
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The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan</h3>
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Not to get too political, but man, could we ever use another man like Ronald Reagan on the political landscape today. I loved this book. It's a diary with daily entries that reads just like a ... diary. I learned so much about President Reagan, his family, life in the white house, and how government works. It was fascinating. I listened to the audiobook whenever I was cleaning the kitchen or folding clothes. It was hard to put down and a couple of times I was moved to tears as he talked about his feelings at the time of the shuttle explosion or after he was shot or when he called the parents of a fallen soldier. Great book!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Diaries-Ronald-ebook/dp/B000RG1ORK?tag=karwhi09-20">AMAZON Kindle</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Diaries-Ronald/dp/0061558338?tag=karwhi09-20">AMAZON Paperback</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Reagan-Diaries-Extended-Selections/dp/B000RGULEC?tag=karwhi09-20">AUDIBLE</a></span></div>
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THE BOYS IN THE BOAT by Daniel James Brown</h3>
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I'm not even sure where to start on this book, except to say that I think everyone should read it so we can talk about it. Maybe I should say everyone should LISTEN to it because Edward Herrmann does an absolutely brilliant job narrating this book.</div>
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To many people it might not sound that interesting. It's about the 1936 American olympic rowing team and their quest for the gold medal. Okay, a two second google search lets you know they won the gold that year, so (yawn) whatever. NO. NO. NO. Travis and I were taking a road trip and I wanted to find something that might be interesting to him that wouldn't (hopefully) bore me to tears and vice versa. We started listening to this and it was kinda interesting. And then it was pretty interesting. And then it was "let's sit in the car after we've parked and finish this part." And then it was "let's go for a drive and listen to another chapter." And then it was "Oh man, I don't want this to end." And then it was tears, literally, because it was over. </div>
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So please read it so we can talk about it. I loved it and the next time I have a chance to choose a book for a bookclub, we'll be rowing our way to the olympics.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Boat-Americans-Berlin-Olympics-ebook/dp/B00AEBETU2?tag=karwhi09-20">AMAZON kindle</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Boat-Americans-Berlin-Olympics/dp/0143125478?tag=karwhi09-20">AMAZON paperback </a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Boat-Americans-Berlin-Olympics/dp/B00D67EOMO?tag=karwhi09-20">AUDIBLE</a></div>
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THESE IS MY WORDS by Nancy E. Turner</h3>
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I had heard of this book many times and it always seemed to pop up on social media when people were recommending books, but I had no idea what it was even about. Then I went to Book Club and some of the ladies were talking about it in such glowing terms that I thought I'd better get with the program and read it. It was so good. Written in diary form, it's an historical novel with heart, humor, drama and romance. Sarah, the main character, is fantastic.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/These-Words-Sarah-Agnes-Prine-ebook/dp/B0015DPXH6?tag=karwhi09-20">AMAZON kindle </a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/These-Words-Diary-Sarah-1881-1901/dp/0061458031?tag=karwhi09-20">AMAZON paperback</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/These-My-Words-Diary-1881-1901/dp/B00PR44BS6?tag=karwhi09-20">AUDIBLE</a></div>
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Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-67160237856859920532015-09-16T08:30:00.000-06:002015-09-16T08:30:02.185-06:00The Power of The Matchmaker - TWELVE Cover Reveals!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pggKA8m8tU-n-OQpGYVuu0xZ3BPcluE_CDbQACzhgJUL5Dq-bJRyTXQt16KT9j0eyY4p5B_4sR8Gt2IAzm7HHRsHu-oxGuiINWeBVxW3vXqFt66P8GBuVL8-Iz94tLcWfuvnPO-8GTA/s1600/Cover+Reveal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pggKA8m8tU-n-OQpGYVuu0xZ3BPcluE_CDbQACzhgJUL5Dq-bJRyTXQt16KT9j0eyY4p5B_4sR8Gt2IAzm7HHRsHu-oxGuiINWeBVxW3vXqFt66P8GBuVL8-Iz94tLcWfuvnPO-8GTA/s640/Cover+Reveal.jpg" width="331" /></a></div>
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Remember when I told you about the project I'm involved in for 2016? If not, you can read more about it<a href="http://kareywhite.blogspot.com/2015/06/exciting-news-power-of-match-maker.html"> here.</a> </div>
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Well, today is the cover reveal day and I can't think of many things more exciting than revealing TWELVE covers on the same day! Okay, technically we can all think of things that would be more exciting--wining the lottery, a personal Brandon Flowers concert, a new baby. But since none of those are happening, this has to be right up there!</div>
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And check those out. They're gorgeous aren't they? And the stories that go with them are going to be awesome. You can go to<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/161683-power-of-the-matchmaker"> Goodreads </a>to read the descriptions and add them to your "to read" list. </div>
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The novella that gives you the Matchmaker's backstory is available for preorder now on<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Power-Matchmaker-Karey-White-ebook/dp/B013FIOAE0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442377792&sr=1-1&keywords=9781941145524"> Amazon</a>. It's a lovely little story that will have you eager for more. Each book is a stand-alone novel by a different author with one common character--Miss Pearl, the matchmaker. Can't wait!!!</div>
Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-90731866926365594842015-06-30T11:14:00.002-06:002015-06-30T11:14:36.200-06:00A Good Friend is Hard to Lose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhndcNf-JhSYI5WlArkTID7ZJGzuBJpHd5jP8KkLIDssknOBJjdS4k2wg_Iy_6DV34tjytCZILDuYsSTJqzVAUulju_v-S52R3xXfRmv3dYhDjo965DzH47qYG6ncmb6zCpYQcYYZdT4/s1600/pepper6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhndcNf-JhSYI5WlArkTID7ZJGzuBJpHd5jP8KkLIDssknOBJjdS4k2wg_Iy_6DV34tjytCZILDuYsSTJqzVAUulju_v-S52R3xXfRmv3dYhDjo965DzH47qYG6ncmb6zCpYQcYYZdT4/s320/pepper6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This is Pepper. She's been part of our family for 6 1/2 years. She has been a loyal, protective, pleasant part of our family. She has kept the kids company, been a walking/jogging companion, been fun to show off (look at her, she's beautiful) and kept us entertained. She was calm and gentle and patient and funny. She knew her boundaries and never came into the kitchen. Even though she could have eaten absolutely anything off the counter, she was only tempted by peanut butter cookies. She was obedient and lazy (in the best way) and happy. We've loved her and Savannah has adored her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsV3PcUmtffl1fFdO4sMFkSbZ8Pcua-80xvkBItTuhfXHvFK69114Nlk0ltk5by9qAN2RgT9hTQLg3_zGgWI8u0Si1XQBwEuMQwwqWk20qN3dqsrHlhuSCMcXkVMf8m_1KAhO8458ydLI/s1600/pepper3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsV3PcUmtffl1fFdO4sMFkSbZ8Pcua-80xvkBItTuhfXHvFK69114Nlk0ltk5by9qAN2RgT9hTQLg3_zGgWI8u0Si1XQBwEuMQwwqWk20qN3dqsrHlhuSCMcXkVMf8m_1KAhO8458ydLI/s320/pepper3.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9z5iaNy3X4HFm9Bm1fNumTERpf_kWTDHJ5meeSTOvyLW7ajs7_u3DKcfI1wHGb-TxyqENG-thKzy183CmVa9qm0f0xVVzgwemAMdkBjrrC_-GsjCtTPzkZHuOCy68Odtz8lblnrxvGc/s1600/pepper8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9z5iaNy3X4HFm9Bm1fNumTERpf_kWTDHJ5meeSTOvyLW7ajs7_u3DKcfI1wHGb-TxyqENG-thKzy183CmVa9qm0f0xVVzgwemAMdkBjrrC_-GsjCtTPzkZHuOCy68Odtz8lblnrxvGc/s320/pepper8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Her health has been deteriorating for the past year or so. Great Danes usually live 7-10 years and she was 9 1/2. She was hurting. I'm pretty sure her eyesight was getting bad, as things that used to be no problem like hard-surface floors were beginning to scare her. After years of either going downstairs to sleep in Joe's room or upstairs to sleep in Savannah's room, she could no longer make it up the stairs. We made her a bed on the main floor, but even getting the few steps into the backyard became more difficult. The last few days, she's barely been able to get to the door and that's been with difficulty, so we knew it was time.<br />
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Yesterday we took Pepper for her last ride in the car. We drove to the mountains with the windows down and let the wind blow in her happy face. We stopped in the shade and opened the back so she could hear the water and feel the little breeze. We had a prayer and then took her to the vet, where we stayed with her, she and Savannah looking at each other, while she went to sleep for good. It was a painful and difficult day and there will be many sad and lonely days to come. Enjoy running around in heaven until we meet you again, Pepper.<br />
<br />Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-86311903183391269122015-06-22T15:17:00.003-06:002015-06-22T15:17:38.941-06:00Exciting News! The Power of the Match Maker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zFURSBkVU-4jr0P9EGxYtPRWJEI9yPwheHplrK1KickzR2iTo7RoEUUFuH47mPPjMUWSNLkRijWo_RpINAys9-Y23khyphenhyphenQGue0dQifaaBqNH7C9lED8xzZAudmUh2c7FC-HQO-2mGNLs/s1600/Matchmaker+Sneak+Peak+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zFURSBkVU-4jr0P9EGxYtPRWJEI9yPwheHplrK1KickzR2iTo7RoEUUFuH47mPPjMUWSNLkRijWo_RpINAys9-Y23khyphenhyphenQGue0dQifaaBqNH7C9lED8xzZAudmUh2c7FC-HQO-2mGNLs/s640/Matchmaker+Sneak+Peak+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">During the summer of 2014, Rachael Anderson, Heather Moore and I started talking about working on a series together. We created a dream list of authors we thought would be a good fit on the project and with little tweaks here and there, as well as an intensive planning meeting, we were ready to roll.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Of course, Rachael, Heather and I will all contribute books, (I'm doing a cover shoot for mine this week) but get a load of the great authors who are joining us: Kelly Oram, Julie Wright, Heidi Ashworth, Taylor Dean, Michele Paige Holmes, Janette Rallison, Regina Sirois, Sheralyn Pratt, and Jaima Fixsen. I've read books by all these authors and I can tell you, this is a stellar lineup. I'm honored to be working with them.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">We wanted the series to span various eras, from historical to contemporary, which means that the matchmaker, Miss Pearl, will live beyond a normal life span. She will also possess various powers that she'll use to carry out her work as a matchmaker, so this series will have some magic realism in it as well.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Heather has written a lovely novella that serves as a prequel to the series, so you'll be able to get to know Miss Pearl and how she came to be a matchmaker. </span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Each of the 12 books in the series are stand-alone stories. Some will be historical romances, other contemporary romances, but they will all feature Miss Pearl.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The novella is coming November 3, 2015 and you can now </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25773945-power-of-the-matchmaker" style="background-color: white; color: #b5653b; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">add it to your Goodreads list!</a>Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-32176726248684419532015-03-03T11:55:00.001-07:002015-03-05T06:24:51.701-07:00PARENTS!!! GET CONTROL OF YOUR KIDS' SOCIAL MEDIA!!!Yes, I put the title of this post in all caps with exclamation points because I'm yelling. I'm actually screaming. If you could see me, and if it would help, I'd be jumping up and down and waving my arms. And then I'd get right in your face. Like this [ ] close.<br />
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If you don't respond well to yelling, please don't tune me out because what I'm about to tell you is important. So important that hearts are on the line, self-worth is on the line, even lives are on the line.<br />
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The community I live in is in crisis. We have an epidemic of young people who, for whatever reason, are in such pain that they're thinking death is preferable to the pain they're enduring. Death! I know we're desensitized by the things we see and hear in movies and on the news, but do you understand what I'm saying? We have kids that are in such pain that they think removing themselves from this life--from their families, their friends, their potential, their future--is preferable. They're going to miss out on laughter, interesting classes, falling in love, holding their own baby, feeling the accomplishment of a good job, great concerts, exciting vacations, contented evenings at home, spiritual experiences, opportunities to serve and uplift others, and so much more.<br />
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I'm not privy to every detail about every one of these kids who have committed suicide or have attempted it. I personally know one sweet girl and one young man and I'm aware of their circumstances. I've heard of the circumstances of others, but some I have no idea. What I do know is that for at least some of them, they were the victims of unkindness at the hands of others, and in this digital age, some of that unkindness has been dealt out by their peers via social media. I'm going to share with you a couple of examples that I have first-hand knowledge of.<br />
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1. Earlier this year, my son was part of a group message with a bunch of his friends. My son was on his phone silently reading the texts from the group as they came through. Then he groaned.<br />
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"What's wrong?" I asked.<br />
"I hate this group message thing."<br />
"Why?"<br />
"The guys are just bagging on each other."<br />
"Really? What are they saying?"<br />
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He proceeded to read to me from the string of messages. It started out with boys debating the merits of the different sports they play. Hocky is preferable to soccer or basketball, etc. Then it escalated. Boys were calling each other names. Then a few of them decided to gang up on a boy that figure skates. When he said figure skating required many of the same skills as other sports, he was mocked. And I don't mean a gentle ribbing. I mean things that horrified me.<br />
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"Have you said anything?" I asked my son.<br />
"No. I've just been reading them."<br />
"You need to say something."<br />
"I usually just stay out of it. Once in a while I tell everyone they need to stop ripping on each other, but I don't like getting involved. I wish I wasn't on the group message."<br />
I appreciated that he recognized the awfulness of it, but at the moment, when one boy was being targeted in such a cruel way, that wasn't enough.<br />
"Sometimes it's best to stay out of things," I said. "But sometimes you have to say something. You have to stand up for the one who's being bullied. It's what Jesus would do."<br />
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My son left the room for a few minutes and when he came back, he said, "Does this sound okay?" Then he read me his message. "Hey you guys, it's late and this has gotten out of control. _____ can play hockey _____ can play baseball, I can play basketball, and _____ can skate. Everyone can do what they like and what they're good at. It's their own choice and calling each other names is lame. It's late and everyone's saying things they probably wouldn't say to each other in person, so let's just turn off our phones and go to bed." Then he turned off his phone.<br />
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I cried. Because I'm a baby and I cry all the time and because I was so proud of my son. "Good job. That took courage."<br />
"I prayed about what to say," he said.<br />
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2. I know of a girl. She's a talented, beautiful, funny girl. She has shiny, gorgeous hair and one of the prettiest smiles you've ever seen. There was a time in history, before we became completely obsessed with skin and bones, when she would have been called Rubenesque. (the definition of rubenesque is a woman who is full-figured, curvy and shapely. A plus-sized model with beautiful curves is an example of someone who would be described as rubenesque). This girl has a friend who is shaped similarly. A few days ago, she and her friend were devastated when, as they were hanging out with some friends, (she has a crush on one of them) and they got hold of a guy friend's phone (as kids regularly do) and read a text conversation (as kids regularly do). In the conversation, this boy and a couple of his friends (including the crush) were discussing the girls they know. The first line was a little thrilling. "_____ and _____ are cool girls." "Yeah, too bad they're chubby."<br />
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And then the conversation continued and two beautiful, talented, funny, clever girls were left feeling horrible about themselves. Incidentally, at least one of them started a diet the next day. This is a sixteen year old girl who should be thinking about dancing, not dieting. She should be laughing, not crying.<br />
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When was the last time we picked up our kids' phones and read through their text messages? When was the last time you looked at what they're posting on instagram or facebook or twitter? Don't give me any crap about privacy and trusting your kids. If you're not checking up on them, you can blame trust and privacy until you're blue in the face, but I know what it really is. You're lazy. It's a hassle to go through hundreds of text messages. It takes a lot of time. And then what? If you find something inappropriate, then you have to address it. It's just so much easier to convince yourself that your kids wouldn't do anything wrong. It's just simpler to assume your kids' social media presence is uplifting and above reproach.<br />
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But I have news for you. You took on the job of parenting your kids and you have a right to know what they're doing.<br />
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Forget rights. You have a freaking obligation. And then when you find something, you have the duty to do something about it. Teach them manners. Teach them kindness. Teach them sympathy and empathy. Teach the value of others.<br />
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I suppose it's possible that you never learned those lessons yourself. Maybe you're a rude, jerk who never learned tact and kindness. Maybe you're one of those people who mocks others for their appearance, for things over which they have no control. Maybe you're the kind of person who makes fun of handicaps and deformities. If you're a jerk who condones jerkish behavior, there might be no hope for your or your children.<br />
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BUT MOST OF US KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT AND WHAT'S WRONG. So please, please, I beg you, please, let's start paying attention. Let's start holding our kids (and ourselves) accountable. Let's stop being a source of pain for others and instead be a source of kindness and uplifting and good will.<br />
<br />
I've spent the last several days mourning as one more boy--a beautiful boy with a world full of potential--chose to end his life. Would a kind word have changed things for him? Maybe.<br />
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Pay attention. Check up on your kids. Read their texts. Follow their social media. Make sure they're being kind and if they're not, love them enough to parent them, love them enough to teach them. Social media and cell phones aren't necessities. They're privileges. If they're being used in a cruel way, take them away. Love your kids enough to make them accountable for the privilege.<br />
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That's what it all boils down to. Love. The Savior taught love. We need to love enough that we rid our little corner of the world of cruelty and pain.<br />
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***To those of you who do monitor your children and take the opportunity to teach them, thank you.***Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-6509284052150042582015-02-12T23:05:00.000-07:002015-02-12T23:05:17.946-07:00In the Words of the Pointer Sisters ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbmLrpAyHAQ1_83NdA1U6Z8pTWmAN3LpNr_0qnQ-cf8a3Odj1Lnyvn-rPXb_1YQQztvhwsvcA7mpJBTvmXfasMn1u1B4Bg2YH_z2UaS7o5fRCyNPUkwWkTWuMTAxFT4Y5aNO6Bbr8x-yv/s1600/fireworks1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbmLrpAyHAQ1_83NdA1U6Z8pTWmAN3LpNr_0qnQ-cf8a3Odj1Lnyvn-rPXb_1YQQztvhwsvcA7mpJBTvmXfasMn1u1B4Bg2YH_z2UaS7o5fRCyNPUkwWkTWuMTAxFT4Y5aNO6Bbr8x-yv/s1600/fireworks1.gif" height="178" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">I'm So Excited!</span></h2>
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A really cool thing happened today and it's all thanks to you guys.</div>
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I was told by several people when I started <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Husband-Maker-Book-ebook/dp/B00L2NEALE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1423807016&sr=8-5&keywords=karey+white"><i>The Husband Maker</i></a> Series that I shouldn't be too discouraged if sales dropped significantly with each book. After all, unless it's a series like <i>Twilight </i>or <i>Harry Potter </i>that builds and builds and has all kinds of hyped media behind it, the numbers will probably drop with each one. But that's okay, because I might be able to generate more interest by running promotions and sales when they're all out, so i should keep my chin up.</div>
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It's good advice and definitely something I tried to be prepared for.</div>
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And then today I opened my preorder report to see how the numbers were comparing with the preorders on the second book (<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Match-Maker-Husband-Book-ebook/dp/B00NF9H8C6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1423807016&sr=8-3&keywords=karey+white">The Match Maker</a></i>). And lo and behold, the preorders for <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wife-Maker-Husband-Book-ebook/dp/B00SNPQXPU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423807016&sr=8-1&keywords=karey+white">The Wife Maker</a></i> have exceeded the preorders for <i>The Match Maker</i>. AND THERE'S STILL A DAY AND A HALF LEFT!!!</div>
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This was surely unexpected. The reception to <i>The Husband Maker</i> (book 1) was mostly good, but many of you were annoyed with me for the cliffhanger. (A few of you may have even hated me.) I'm sorry about that. Sort of. I was super grateful when so many of you stuck with me for book 2 and even left it great reviews in spite of the second cliffhanger. And now so many of you are excited enough for book 3 to actually buy it in advance and I've had so many emails and messages from so many of you expressing your eagerness to see how things turn out for our unlucky-in-love Charlotte.</div>
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Thank you so much! and I hope you find it worth the wait. Thank you for those of you who have commented, left reviews, and messaged me. It's so much fun to hear from you and to hear that you care about Charlotte and Angus and their friends and family.</div>
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If you haven't already signed up for my newsletter, please click the newsletter tab above and sign up so you'll know about new releases (including novellas for Flynn and Aleena since I can't stand to leave them without their own happy ending). I plan on having some free content available to my newsletter subscribers sometime this year as my way of saying thank you.</div>
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Anyway, thank you! Thank you!</div>
Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-20139087522990681812015-02-09T20:10:00.003-07:002015-02-09T20:10:31.850-07:00Thank You!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few months ago, I ran a Kickstarter to help fund the production of The Match Maker for Audible. It's available on <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/The-Match-Maker-Audiobook/B00PVAZ798/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1423536688&sr=1-1">Audible now</a>, in case you're interested. <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/The-Husband-Maker-Audiobook/B00M3G3O6G/ref=a_pd_Romanc_c8_2_sim_auth">The Husband Maker</a> is also available.<br />
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Thank you to all of you who contributed to the successful Kickstarter campaign. I appreciate your support so much. Thank you, <b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Vea</span>, <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Louise</span>, <span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Abi</span>,</span> <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Tawnie</span>, <span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Pam</span>, <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Donna</span>, <span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Missy</span>, <span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Tracy</span> (I think this is <span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Julie</span>), <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Mark</span> (I think this is <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Sami</span>), <span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">Dana</span>, <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Katie</span>, <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Sharon</span>, <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Derek</span>, <span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Melissa</span>, <span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Tressa</span>, <span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Rachael</span>, <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Arlene</span>, <span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Emily</span>, <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Connie</span>, and <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Karalee</span>.</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-68021026257792577512015-02-08T18:17:00.000-07:002015-02-08T18:17:15.853-07:00The Wife Maker! Available for Pre-order<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/811-SzNvUXL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/811-SzNvUXL._SL1500_.jpg" height="400" width="247" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's almost February 14, which means <span style="color: red;">Valentine's Day</span>! It also means (dun, dun, dun!!!) . . .</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><i>The Wife Maker. </i></span></h2>
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Find out if Charlotte finally gets her happily ever after!</div>
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<i>The Wife Maker </i>is available for pre-order right now, so click <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wife-Maker-Husband-Book-ebook/dp/B00SNPQXPU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423443737&sr=8-1&keywords=karey+white"> ***HERE***</a> </span>to order your copy and it will magically appear in your e-reader on Saturday.</div>
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Thank you to so many of you who have sent your messages of encouragement and impatience as you've waited for me to finish writing Charlotte's story. I so appreciate it.</div>
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And please sign up <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://kareywhite.blogspot.ca/p/newsletter.html">***HERE***</a> </span>for my newsletter so you can be the first to know when I release Flynn and Aleena's novellas.</div>
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I hope you, my wonderful readers, have a fantastic Valentine's Day!</div>
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Karey</div>
Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-67891068966037229252014-12-31T21:59:00.004-07:002014-12-31T21:59:57.311-07:00Goodbye 2014 & My Word of the Year for 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">A Few Highlights (and lowlights) of 2014:</span></div>
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<li>A trip to Maui with my husband.</li>
<li>A trip to San Francisco with my family. Sadly, this is both a highlight and a lowlight because of a big mistake I made. My husband had business in San Francisco and I wanted to do some research for The Husband Maker series, so the family took off by car. My oldest son couldn't miss a couple of days of classes, so we booked him a ticket on Priceline. It was cheaper for him to get a flight to Portland via San Francisco and then just not finish the trip, so that's what I booked. He rode the train from school to the airport and entered his ticket information in the kiosk. It wouldn't accept it so he got in line and told the agent that his ticket wasn't working. The very rude agent informed him (very rudely) that his ticket was for the following week. Priceline wouldn't work with us, so Bruce didn't get to join us. We still had fun, and Travis managed to arrange some work in Portland the next week and took part of the family to meet Bruce, who was now flying to Oregon for no other reason than to keep from totally wasting my mistakenly purchased ticket. They had a good time, but I cried bitter tears that he didn't get to join us in San Francisco and had to spend the weekend at home alone.</li>
<li>I published <i>Lost and Found </i>(part of the Ripple Effect Romance Series), <i>Maggie's Song</i> (found in the <i>Timeless Romance Anthology - Love Letters</i>), <i>The Husband Maker</i> and <i>The Match Maker</i>.</li>
<li>Bruce spent three months studying in China and traveling around Asia. It was fun for me, too, as he Facetimed with me from just about everywhere he went.</li>
<li>I was graced with kidney stones several times but none were large enough to need surgery!</li>
<li>Veronica came home from her successful and wonderful mission.</li>
<li>I attended two writer's conferences.</li>
<li>We had everyone home for Christmas for the first time since 2010.</li>
<li>Savannah got her driver's license and relieved me of some of the running around.</li>
<li>Joe made both the Lone Peak and CMBA basketball teams.</li>
<li>Savannah had a sledding accident and suffered a concussion and memory loss. It was really troubling and scary.</li>
<li>Bruce took his heaviest load at school yet and spent the entire semester sick.</li>
<li>Travis and I were the chairmen of our ward Christmas party.</li>
<li>We started eating differently which meant I did A LOT of cooking from scratch.</li>
<li>Veronica started working at Great Harvest again.</li>
<li>Joe passed all the girls in the family in height.</li>
</ul>
<br /><br />
For the past few years, I've chosen a word to focus on during the year. This year, my word is inspired by the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown-ebook/dp/B00G1J1D28/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420087615&sr=1-1&keywords=essentialism+greg+mckeown">Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown.</a> I just finished reading it this month and it was excellent. I highly recommend it. My word this year is:<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">ELIMINATE</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to eliminate nonessential things so I can give essential things the time and energy they deserve. A few of the things I want to eliminate are wasted time, clutter, unnecessary spending, and judging and unkindness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To quote the book, I hope to "do less, but better."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy 2015!</span></h2>
Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-75821576158359477262014-12-03T00:00:00.000-07:002014-12-03T06:45:03.301-07:00Yes Friends! It's Time for a Giveaway!<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't you love winning free stuff?</span></h3>
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We haven't had a giveaway for a while now, so let's remedy that!</div>
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<br /></div>
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This giveaway will be for your choice of ANY one of these books.</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">These are the print books!</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">And these are the Audible books!</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOa_0pwNj7vlZjUnUSZUt_8B0maRrhviB1uW2LXRYPome6nVBXmzS2I0crfr05bEzeycLHwnOARX3D11ST-EHo_V55vP1ZyQIEpa_7rzgOqqVrojJOetoXQGHeztHomryJXK67rGjj_s/s1600/audible+books+for+giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOa_0pwNj7vlZjUnUSZUt_8B0maRrhviB1uW2LXRYPome6nVBXmzS2I0crfr05bEzeycLHwnOARX3D11ST-EHo_V55vP1ZyQIEpa_7rzgOqqVrojJOetoXQGHeztHomryJXK67rGjj_s/s1600/audible+books+for+giveaway.jpg" height="305" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">How do you win, you ask?</span></h3>
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It's simple. Just sign up for my newsletter to get the latest on new releases and great deals! Don't worry! It's not one of those bug-you-to-death newsletters. You'll only get it when there's actual news to share!</div>
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<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-8070742560207666662014-11-19T08:16:00.002-07:002014-11-19T08:16:58.923-07:00Review of Christopher Columbus: A Man Among the Gentiles by Clark B. Hinckley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d26iejr7yj7kfh.cloudfront.net/product-images/000/707/765/detail/Christopher_Columbus.jpg?1400776457" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d26iejr7yj7kfh.cloudfront.net/product-images/000/707/765/detail/Christopher_Columbus.jpg?1400776457" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
It was my intention to have this read so I could review it on Columbus Day. As is the case with many intentions, I didn't get it done. Life got crazy and rather than just do a spotlight about the book, I decided to wait for my review until I'd had a chance to finish it. So here we are, more than a month late. Sorry.<br />
<br />
I loved <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christopher-Columbus-Man-among-Gentiles-ebook/dp/B00L9JUE20/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416409386&sr=8-1&keywords=christopher+columbus+gentile&pebp=1416409389429">this book</a>. This time in history is fascinating and there was so much to learn and discover. I enjoyed reading the ways that Columbus fulfilled prophesy and desired to serve God instead of all the negativity that has surrounded him in recent years. Some schools refused to celebrate Columbus for his accomplishments, instead calling him a murderer and crazy. Instead of celebrating Columbus's accomplishments, they decided to celebrate Indigenous People Day. While I have no problem with celebrating a day that honors Native Americans (Ronald Reagan declared such a day in California in 1968) I think it's wrong to refuse to celebrate Columbus Day because Columbus wasn't perfect. If we were going by that criteria, the only holidays we'd celebrate would be a very different version of Christmas and Easter. Gone would be Martin Luther King Day, President's Day or Veteran's Day. None of these people we celebrate are perfect.<br />
<br />
As a society, it seems we're so willing to paint everyone with broad strokes--if there's any failing (or if it's a failing we particularly dislike), a person is bad and all their good is discounted. If we like where they stand on an issue or their personality, we ignore or excuse any failings they might have. This way of looking at things is wrong and causes us problems. Looking at people this way hurts us. On the one hand, it causes us to become too harsh in our judgments of people, refusing to see the good in them or acknowledge their accomplishments. On the other hand, giving someone a pass or whitewashing someone's sins because we like them, instead of seeing things clearly, causes us to lose our discernment, something desperately needed and in short supply in the world today.<br />
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Columbus was a man. Certainly not perfect, but with a strong feeling that he was to do something important in the service of God. What he did was important to the history of the world and the restoration of the gospel. It's important that we try to see his life and his contributions clearly and in the context of the time he lived instead of jumping on the popular bandwagon of demonizing him and judging him by our current politically correct climate.Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-28701581304950683562014-10-11T14:00:00.000-06:002014-10-11T16:57:47.258-06:00Review: How Do I Know if I Know by John Bytheway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/418uozbr-3L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/418uozbr-3L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />I cannot say enough about this book. Seriously I can't.<br />
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I read this book with my two teenagers. It was a really good experience as we were able to read and talk about testimony and how we know if we have one and how to recognize the parts of a testimony. There are so many easy-to-understand analogies that help make testimony an understandable thing instead of something abstract that we hear about but often can't define except in more abstracts.<br />
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I was also able to share a couple of things with my missionary daughter that are helpful to investigators who aren't sure where they're at on their road to conversion.<br />
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There is some humor and sarcasm, although it's a little cheesy, but that isn't what makes this book so readable. I love that it took abstract ideas and gave them concrete ways to understand them. A couple of my favorites involved the lights of a Christmas tree and a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. When you read the book, you'll see what I mean. LOVED those two analogies and they're so pertinent today.<br />
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This is a book I think every family with teenagers should read together. It opens up conversation about testimony and it's a great launching pad for more gospel study as each chapter ends with suggested reading that includes conference talks and excerpts from other books. I also think this would be a great book for anyone who is having doubts or questions about their faith and who wonder if they still have a testimony.<br />
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I really loved this book and recommend it as enthusiastically as possible.Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-59000089782909401092014-10-08T13:58:00.000-06:002014-10-09T19:14:45.770-06:00Review: Crucible of Doubt by Terryl and Fiona Givens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I must admit I'm really struggling with this review and even debated not doing a review at all, but I think it deals with an important subject and the book was full of good information, so I'm going to share it with you and hope I don't turn anyone away from the book that could use it.<br />
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I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). I've had personal experiences that anchor me in the gospel and and make me a firm believer in Jesus Christ. I've experienced the joy that comes from sharing the good news of the gospel with others, both on my mission and in my regular life. I'm always so excited when I see someone have their life blessed and improved by gaining faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I've also experienced the sadness and frustration that comes with people I care about leaving the church because their questions aren't answered in a way that satisfies them.<br />
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This book was written for those people who have questions that test their faith and for that, I applaud the authors. I found the way they addressed some of those questions fascinating. BUT maybe I'm just not as bright as I like to think I am, and maybe this book is written for people far more intellectual than I am, because I felt like it was hard to read. I found myself having to re-read things just to understand what the authors were saying. My fear is that it might be too difficult for many people to get through. On the other hand, it might be perfect for intellectual, deep thinkers, who pore over what they read in a different way than me. So maybe it's exactly what some questioners need. I just struggled.<br />
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I do feel there's a place for a book like this, I just wish it would have felt more accessible to little old me. In spite of that, I'd absolutely recommend it to my super-smart friends and family who struggle with faith. You know who you are.Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-32568296861175673662014-10-03T13:57:00.000-06:002014-10-09T19:03:43.055-06:00Review: Focused by Noelle Pikus-Pace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51T2%2Bs6jfBL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX324_SY324_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA346_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51T2%2Bs6jfBL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX324_SY324_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA346_SH20_OU01_.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm a huge fan of the Olympics. If you want to know where I am during the two+ weeks of both the summer and the winter games, you'll most likely find me in front of the television watching whatever I can. During the winter games, you'll find me rabidly caring about biathlon, cross-country skiing, figure skating, ski jumping, snowboarding, curling, and yes, skeleton.<br />
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I was thrilled this last winter to discover that one of our leading skeleton athletes was a bright, happy woman who's practically my neighbor. I'd have been cheering for her no matter what, but that fact made me even more excited. And then I saw her YW medallion and I was even more excited.<br />
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Noelle Pikus Pace didn't let us down in any regard. I cried as she climbed into the stands to celebrate her accomplishment with her family.<br />
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This book reads part memoir, part inspirational speaker, and all heart. I loved it. Really, really loved it. Each chapter was made up of lessons she learned and it read like an exciting novel. I have to admit, I cried again as I read and experienced vicariously her disappointments, her insecurities, her courage, and her successes.<br />
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This is great reading for anyone, but if you've got a daughter, especially a teenage daughter, I'd absolutely recommend this book.<br />
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What a blessing it is to have good, solid, strong, courageous, REAL women to look up to.Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971815118512072283.post-18612234270818734632014-09-21T23:09:00.000-06:002014-09-21T23:09:13.560-06:00What Does This Mean?Tonight I went to my friend's blog and found <a href="http://10000thingsthatmakemehappy.blogspot.com/2014/09/what-goes-around-comes-around.html">THIS POST</a>.<br />
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In Missy's post she tells about her dissatisfaction with where the lived and how a turtle crossing the road made her happy and triggered renewed feelings of satisfaction with where she lived.<br />
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So here's my comparison for you.<br />
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Because of how vertical our house is (three floors with high ceilings makes for a lot of stairs), we spent most of the last year contemplating a move to something that would be a little easier on my knees. We found a few things we liked a lot, but even though we tried hard to get them, they slipped through our fingers.<br />
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I like where we live--beautiful views, mountains out my back door, nice neighbors and a location right between my two college students' universities--but because I was excited about a couple of the places we found and the prospect of less stairs, I was ready to move.<br />
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So when nothing worked out, I realized I had to adjust my thinking and learn to be satisfied with where we are, in spite of all the stairs. I had to give myself a pep talk to be okay with all the stairs I'll have to climb over the next few years. (We'd decided if nothing worked out this summer, we'd stay put for awhile because of the timing with kids and school.)<br />
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Well, Friday morning, as I left with Bruce and Mehmet to go visit my family, I saw something in the road.<br />
<br />"Did you guys see that?" I asked. Neither of them had seen it, so I turned the car around and we drove back to see this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiy5JzijPRq9-D4WBkSB_m9MzaUtdhUhZvW2pYFexuDrbpTk5YW-B3zdgi1FtAZYrBE3OMzcHeXcMvpY7fYJ9rwnzXMrZoDogXZfQ8k4vSI9RwHICzPqoQVc7AlR4CSNhZn8JoQL4Y64/s1600/spider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiy5JzijPRq9-D4WBkSB_m9MzaUtdhUhZvW2pYFexuDrbpTk5YW-B3zdgi1FtAZYrBE3OMzcHeXcMvpY7fYJ9rwnzXMrZoDogXZfQ8k4vSI9RwHICzPqoQVc7AlR4CSNhZn8JoQL4Y64/s1600/spider.png" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
It's hard to see in this picture, but it was huge. Seriously big. Big enough that I saw it as I drove.<br />
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I'm not a fan of spiders of any kind, but one that's as big as my hand? Huh uh. No thank you.<br />
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Bruce and Mehmet got out and took a couple of pictures and then got back in the car. I was sort of afraid it might get squashed. I don't think I wanted that to happen since it was minding it's own business, but on the other hand... well... it's a big, freaking spider within easy walking distance of my house, so... I'm conflicted.<br />
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The spider was spared because a woman that might be part spider saint part crazy lunatic stopped in the middle of the road, hopped out and with just a thin napkin between her fingers and the tarantula, lifted it to safety. Good news for the spider.<br />
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But if a turtle made Missy happy to stay where she lives, how is a big, hairy, sickening spider supposed to make me feel?Kareyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168433852830113071noreply@blogger.com3