Spinning Is For Spinsters

Okay, that's not true. I'm just bitter because I fell of the wagon. Actually, I ate the wagon. Because it was filled with pancakes.

As I mentioned last week, my mom came for a week-long visit, wherein I ate pancakes LIKE IT WAS MY JOB. (OMG, can you imagine if your job really was eating pancakes for a living? Or Krispy Kremes? I know, I have issues. Moving on.) It is always bittersweet having her visit, because I LOVE having her here with me, but I HATE IT when she has to leave again. Especially when she is returning to South Florida and sunshine, leaving me here in Georgia with cloudy skies and rain...grrr.

Last week also officially began baseball season for my husband, who coaches Varsity baseball at the school where he teaches. Baseball Season = Single Mommy for a while. It's not my favorite time of year, but at least the sun is usually out and we can go to the games. Plus, I have a wonderful friend (HI JODI!!!) who is also a baseball widow (her husband is the head coach) and we have sleepovers with our kids to make it through those long weekends when the husbands are not around. KUDOS TO YOU SINGLE PARENTS OUT THERE WHO DO IT ALL YEAR LONG!!!

Remind me again why I decided to try and cut out carbs and do more exercise during baseball season? Because all I really want to do after a long day of being with children and cleaning up after children is sit on my fat butt and eat comfort foods like carbohydrates whilst drinking high fructose corn syrup flavored, caffeinated, carbonated beverages. IS THAT SO WRONG?

I'm In A Food Coma

Internet, the next time I decide to start eating right and exercising, remind me NOT TO INVITE MY MOTHER TO VISIT. I apologize for the unannounced break I've been taking, but I will return on Monday with plenty of things to entice you, I promise. Have I mentioned it's baseball season? Well, it is. Uneventful to the general public, but for this wife? Of a Varsity coach? THE INSANITY, I TELL YOU.

If you need me in the meantime, I'll be stuffing my face with pancakes. And bacon. And maybe even a biscuit. I KNOW - THAT'S DOUBLE CARBS! Did I mention it's baseball season? And I'm a single mother now? And my mommy is here to baby me for a week? STOP JUDGING ME, INTERNET.

See you Monday!

For The Music Lover

I was reminded yesterday that tickets for Bonnaroo go on sale tomorrow. If you're not familiar with Bonaroo, it is a 4-day music and arts festival held in Manchester, TN. I have always wanted to go to a huge music festival like this, where you basically camp out for four days and listen to some amazing music, but have yet to do so. It is on my bucket list, to be sure. That, and not showering for 4 days straight.

This year's lineup is especially wonderful, in my opinion, because Ray LaMontagne will be there. I had the chance to hear him live a few months ago when he opened for David Gray here in Atlanta, and it was spectacular. In addition to Ray, here are a few other artists that I LOVE LOVE LOVE that will be there, too. Click on the links to hear them for yourself.

The Decemberists - this band is like a mixture of some of my favorite 90's artists rolled into one: REM, Gin Blossoms, and Natalie Merchant.

Mumford and Sons - Love these guys. They're British, and we all know how I feel about British things, don't we? Plus, they use a banjo.

Iron and Wine - The vocals on some of these songs are absolutely heartbreaking, and I adore them (and yes, they are on the Twilight soundtrack, no judgement!).

Also, The Black Keys, Florence + the Machine, and Alison Krauss w/ Union Station.

That is only a small sampling of this HUGE event, but I just wanted to share some of my favorite music! Happy Weekend!

What's on your iPod/Pandora/radio?

*Photo courtesy of Google Images

A Love Letter To My Readers

Dear Reader,

I'm feeling a bit of residual Valentine's Day mushiness, so where better to dump it than on you?

I LOVE YOU...

I really do. 

Here are a few reasons why:

1) You've prayed for me, encouraged me, sent me warm and well wishes on days where I haven't felt quite up to speed.

2) You make me laugh (and several of you make me laugh on a daily basis).

3) You keep coming back here, even though sometimes I have NO IDEA why.

4) You make me feel a part of something BIG. 

5) You make me better -- your comments challenge me, they make me think, they give me energy.

I love being a writer, and I KNOW I AM A WRITER BECAUSE OF YOU.

My Love Language

My love language? 

It's not so much this...

As it is THIS...

(and in case you're wondering, yes, I look exactly this flawless when I sleep.)

Which is why my Valentine's Day card to my husband said:

I don't need a dozen roses to show me that you love me...

I just need an extra hour of sleep!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. Hope you get what you need from the love(s) in your life.

Tell me, what's YOUR love language?

Holy Biblical Reference Malfunction

I can't even tell you how many times I have watched this video, y'all. I spent the better part of an evening laughing about this with my husband (because, in reality, we are still middle schoolers at heart). The poor guy's face right after he says what he didn't mean to  say is PRICELESS.

Watch. Laugh. Enjoy.

Happy Friday!

Pass It On

Last night, my husband and I were watching a Frontline documentary on the Digital Age we are living in, and it made me really sad. I want my children to understand technology and the gift that it is (my hubby is a technology TEACHER for heaven's sake), but like any good thing, too much of it can end up being a bad thing. I want to encourage my children to sit down and create something. Why not a book?

I apologize for the poor quality of this photo, but I just had to share this with you all. This is a book that was given to my son by his school's librarian (complete with his own artwork. He *loves* books. Lord, there is nothing more satisfying as a mom/writer than to know that my son LOVES books!) She knows how much he loves to read and draw, so she gave him this Little Golden Book that is blank (I believe they also sell them in a kit at Wal-Mart), so that he could create his own story. I didn't know about these until he brought it home, but what a WONDERFUL idea.

If you love reading/writing, how are you encouraging your children/the next generation to love it?

Mommy's Time Out

I have a confession, Internet: this morning was kinda rough. Let's just say that lack of sleep + that lovely thing that God blesses women with every month = PSYCHO WIFE/MOMMY. My poor husband and children -- it's a wonder they haven't voted me off the island yet (although I have a theory that without me they would have NO CLEAN UNDERWEAR to wear. Ever.). 

I should be punished. No, really, I should. So, I'm putting myself in TIME OUT.

Only problem is...I might never come out!

Happy Monday! And in case you're wondering, yes, that is a REAL bottle of Pinot Grigio called Mommy's Time Out. They sell it at Publix!

*Photo courtesy of Google Images. 

Free Starbucks Contest Winner!

Who's ready to mainline some STARBUCKS???

First of all, thank you so much to all who participated in the contest! I love meeting new people and getting a peek at what people are writing! Unfortunately, no agents responded. It's like they have WORK to do or something :P

And now, the moment we've all been waiting for! 

The WINNER of the $20 Starbucks gift card is...

DIANE J.!!!!

Congratulations, Diane. (Drop me an email beth@beth-mann.com and tell me where you'd like it sent, and I will put it in the mail right away!)

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and thanks again for playing!

*Photo courtesy of Google Images

Attention Agents and Writers: FREE COFFEE!

Well that got your attention, didn't it?

Since so many of you are up to your eyeballs in snow on this Writer Wednesday, I wanted to do something to help you all think warmer thoughts. So without further ado...

A FREE COFFEE GIVEAWAY!!!

What you have to do to win:

Writers - Tell me in what genre you are writing. 

Agents - Tell me what sort of projects you are currently looking for. (If you are not currently taking submissions, simply say that.)

Here's the point system:

Leave a comment: +1 entry

Tweet it/Retweet it: +1 entry

Talk about it on your blog: +2 entries (make sure you send me the link!)

You have until midnight (eastern) on Thursday, February 3rd to enter and spread the word. I will put everyone's name into a hat (a virtual one, thanks to Random.org) and will announce the winner this Friday! The winner will receive a $20 gift card to Starbucks Coffee!

Everyone stay safe and warm out there!