New Year-New Day

Put away your Christmas duds and slip into something really special to celebrate the coming of 2009.
Can you believe that the new Year is upon us? Wow, 2008 was an amazing year in so, so many ways-good or bad, it packed quite a punch. The history that was made, the struggles that were won and lost and the important part- we all survived. One hell of a year no matter how you sum it up!

Do you believe in New Year's resolutions? If so- what are they? I haven't come up with mine just yet, but I have been mulling a few things over. The funny thing is, I have never kept my resolutions in the past-all broken. Yep- no surprise there. The last few years I swore off them, but this year I got to thinking; Even if you don't actually keep them, even if you break them into a million pieces before the bubbly is flat, at least you thought about improving your life. You made a plan and hopefully a conscious effort to be better. That has to be worth something, right? Here I go Ms. Justification in full swing.
What do you think and how will you celebrate? Will you be stepping out in a slinky black dress to a fancy party, or perhaps you'll have a romantic dinner with that special someone, maybe you will just stay in the comfort of your home wearing your new jammies- eat way too much,watch the ball drop and tip toe off to your cozy little bed-ready to meet the New Year without a hang-over. However you chose to celebrate-make it special and take some time to reflect on the incredible year we are leaving behind.

Happy New Year!!!!

xo-mya

Merry Christmas in Blogland

My little Christmas angel




I wanted to wish all of my family and friends in blogland a very Merry Christmas. Bless each and every one of you for sharing your time with me here in blog land. This is a wonderful time of year for some while difficult for others. I hope that all of you find something to feel good about this Holiday Season.

I love this time of year, but if I had one wish from Santa, it would be a trip to a tropical beach with my whole family. Clam bakes and fresh lobster enjoyed on the beach, sand between my toes and the sun on my face, while I watch my family play in the surf. I guess I must have been a bad girl this year because instead of coal in my stocking I got 12 inches of snow outside my door and you know how I feel about winter weather. *#.*x. #!!!!

Take care and enjoy this blissful time of year.



Happy Holidays from Mya




This is me stuck inside during a snow storm.

Me, coming in from the cold. I look scary when I'm unhappy don't I.

XO-Mya

Naughty or Nice?

This question always comes to mind as I ponder over my Christmas list every year. Naughty or nice? Well, I have to admit, I think I have been a little of both. So on to the list....

Dear Santa,

#1 I would love a refill on my Jo Malone Lime Basil, Mandarin body creme.
(seriously girls this is too die for and on Oprah list of fav things)

#2 World peace (I'm so original)

#3 No more snow this year. Actually I would love an unusual tropical heat wave for the rest of the winter. (I go for the big stuff)

#4 My family to have the best Christmas ever. (all-day smiles, enjoy true meaning of Christmas, etc.)

#5 World peace (oh, I said that already)

#6 That all the fat cats on wall street, in the banking industry give their bonuses and buy-outs to someone less fortunate.

#7 The beautiful three foot tall pink orchid that I saw at the Orchid farm's greenhouse yesterday. (ya, ya, I know I would kill it just as quickly as I killed the one foot tall orchid from last year)

#8 A trip to the beach for a couple of weeks with my whole family.

#9 A week of positive and uplifting reports from the media (no more doom and gloom, please)

#10 A really sweet book deal with an awesome publisher

#11 My over-forty spread, stops spreading

#12 That all of my friends at home and in blog land, have a very special holiday surrounded by their loved ones and filled with all of their favorite things.

* I know, as always, I've asked for way too much but I did try to be good this year and I think my intentions should count for something. Come-on Santa

XO-Mya

Don't Be Shy

Hi my name is Crazy Girl what's yours? Don't be shy as you can see I'm not.




I love getting dressed up and having my picture taken. Look mom I have my first tooth. I'm soooo cute!




I wuv my bunny. He's so soft. Have a nice day!

Xo-Grammy Mya

Don't Skip Christmas

Budgets are tight this year and the quest for the perfect gift is on. Don't sweat it readers, Mya is here to give you 3 thoughtful and even inexpensive ideas.

#1 The intimate dinner option: This is really fun when done with a group like your siblings for instance. Plan a meal and divide the entrees among the individuals contributing. Each person shops for and makes a different portion of the meal and serves it to the lucky recipient. This group can also provide the entertainment, music, after dinner foot rub, or whatever. This is what I put on my Christmas list for my poor college students, new home owner, and new parent. I can't wait to see what my children come up with and they have to clean up the kitchen afterwards. I love that part!

#2 The twelve days of Christmas lotto tree. This idea provides a little hopeful surprise or gambling to be done once a day for the twelve days before Christmas. Take one tiny tree and paper clip 12 $1:00 lotto tickets to it's branches. Wala you have 12 days of fun and somebody might actually win big!

#3 The I love you Advent Calendar. Take one 3d advent calendar and stuff each hole with a little message for the day. You could use inspirational messages, I love you because, or thinking of you type stuff. Stuff a little sweet, like chocolate in with the message and really put a smile on some one's face!

There you have it, three inexpensive ways to say I love you at Christmas. Let me know if any of you decide to use them and how they work out.

XO-Mya

Update on the Girl and The Mission

Mya-Girl get out there and shovel the side walks. The cold won't kill you I promise! That is your big mission for today.
If I post it- it will be done. xo-Mya

I might Get Arrested

I wasn’t born yesterday, far from it, but why do I feel so tempted to do something so stupid and very illegal? I was approached a few days ago about joining a Woman’s Gifting Circle. The invitation came from an old friend for a girls night of food and sharing. She said it was a gifting club for woman where they get together and talk while exchanging gifts. Okay here’s how that conversation went:
This is me: “Okay, sounds like fun, what sort of gift should bring?” Friend: Well it’s kind of hard to explain but we give each other money.” Me: “Money, how much money?” Friend:“Most groups give 5k each. (yeah thats right 5 thousand) and our 8 names form a heart. The woman at the point or bottom of the heart gets the 40k. Then she drops out and everyone moves down a spot.” Me: “What 5k are you crazy?”
Well you can imagine how the rest of that conversation went. I just couldn’t get over the fact that she wanted me to bring 5k in cash and hand it over, all in hopes that I would eventually receive 40k, if we get enough suckers, I mean woman, to join.
I asked around a bit and did a little google search but I still wasn’t satisfied with what I heard or found. The net said pyramid scheme and very illegal. People I know said,” oh yeah I heard so and so did it and made 40k or did it twice and made 80k.”
My brain says; what a scam and Mya girl you would have to be one crazy bitch to get involved with that. I can just see it now, after the money is exchanged the swat team will bust through the windows, swinging on ropes, put me in handcuffs and then hall me away to share my new digs with my new roomy, Big Bonnie.
Ohhh, Did I forget to tell you about my vivid imagination. Yeah it’s pretty bad. Throw in a little anxiety and a lot of caffeine and you have the rambling version of musing mya. But seriously readers, what should I do? I am sooo curious and who wouldn’t want to make a quick and painless 40k? Yes Janet, I am well aware of the old add-age; if it sounds to good to be true it probably is, but, but I just want to go to see what kind of women are involved. Should I go and leave my check book at home or should I just stay away, all together, because I know how easily suckered I am?… And of course there is the illegal part. But I am so tempting by the easy money thing.

Have I ever done anything illegal before, you ask? Well that’s an entirely different post :)

XO-Mya

Twilight and Vampire Loving; are you kidding me?

Have you seen the movie Twilight or read the book?

Okay, I definitely have a vivid imagination and I love a hot steamy romance but I just don't know if I could get into the whole vampire love thing. I am quite sure the moment things were heating up and he bent over to sink his fangs into my neck, it would be all over- period. True I have not seen the movie or read any of the books but still I have to wonder- am I so different from most. I just can't see the allure of having a lover that drinks blood. Can you? I tried to watch Interview with a Vampire with Mr. Dreamy Brad Pitt but I couldn't handle it and I turned it before it was half over. Can you believe I turned away from Sexy Brad?

I realize this movie is based on a YA novel and there is probably no sex, just a love affair between normal teens and ones that sport long fangs and drink blood. I admit I am curious about the movie and you can be sure that the moment it hits pay-per-view I will be all over it, but until then I really need some enlightenment on the whole vampire lover thing. What am I missing people tell me!

Snow is a Four Letter Word

S-slushy
N-nasty
O-over-the-top
W-wet

Is anyone with me out there? Okay, it is beautiful and makes the world soft and quiet. Yes, there is something magical about walking in a woods that has been silenced by deep snow. But it is also very wet, very, very cold, dangerous on the roads and did I say it's cold? It's not really the snow that I despise. Its the whole cold thing. Winter is not my scene. I have southern roots and can't understand for the life of me why my relatives would have chosen, yes CHOSEN, to move to a cold climate. I was born here-had no choice.

There are certain things that I do enjoy about winter and here are a few of them:

Crackling fire

Hot cocoa

The sound of snow under my tires

Tree branches frosted with snow

Cute snowmen with very fashionable accessories

Did any of you brave black Friday? I was one of those very silly woman that started at 4:00 am. You heard me right I got up and went shopping at 4:00 am. It was my nieces fault. She insisted that we start early enough to get a free Victoria Secret bag. I said do you really think they Will be out by the respectable time of 9:00 am?

To my surprise the store was packed at 4:00 am along with several other stores. We passed a few large department stores with lines circling around the buildings and no parking spaces to be had. This is in Michigan, the unemployment capital of the USA. Maybe the media has it all wrong. I heard that sales were up everywhere but somehow the media failed to make a big deal of that.

It was fun and I did survive without a nap, just lots of caffeine.

Have yourself a beautiful snow covered day or sun shiny day depending on where you live.

XO-Mya

Fairytale Dreams and Birthday Wishes

Babygirl turned one and celebrated a fairytale party with family, fairies and cake.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This party is fit for a fairy princess, said Tinkerbell.

Very loudly, I might add.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah baby, bring on the cake and the bikinis.

Doesn't everyone eat cake in a bikini?

Yum! Yum!

The fairies worked very hard to make this party a success, and when it was all said and done, one little fairy was in desperate need of a long nap.

Shhhhh!

This little fairy went back to her place on the Christmas Tree to relax after a very satisfying day of partying.

:) :) :)

Happy Birthday Baby!

XO- Grammy Mya

Give Thanks for Food and Family

Happy Thanksgiving my friends. I hope you find the time to enjoy your friends and family and have the opportunity to eat some really good food. I found 2 tempting salad recipes right Here. I can't wait to try them. One is made with toasted pecans, cooked in a sugar glaze and topped off with cranberries and Gorgonzola cheese. YUM! The other is made with toasted almonds, strawberries and feta cheese. They both take a homemade dressing and romaine lettuce. Pass the wine please.
So yesterday was a success with a couple great new salad recipes and fabulous hair. Thanks Tyler and Madison you girls always know just how to whip my hair into shape.
Have a beautiful holiday but don't eat so much that you're too slow for the bargains on Friday. Meet me at the mall :)

XO-Mya

The Girl, The Mission, The Secret

Are those my shapely legs and firm behind?
What do you think?


I'm back after a long weekend. I have accomplished very little since we last spoke but I'm alright with that. On the very top of my mission list today is to find a really awesome recipe for a salad that I haven't made before and shop for the ingredients before my hair appointment this afternoon. I always end up with salad duty for family holidays. Not really sure why that is? Oh yeah it's probably because I'm really not that good at cooking.
Well I did promise a secret didn't I. Yes well here it is: I am really kind of liking this whole unemployed thing and I'm not really searching all that hard for a job. Shhhhh!
Not that I could find one in Michigan right now anyway. You remember in years past that around the holidays most retail stores had help wanted or now hiring signs in their front windows? Well not this year. Nope, notta, at least not in Michigan that is. I told myself if I saw one of those signs asking for temporary help-I would apply. Well I can't say that I am too disappointed. True I am a little bored but I have my writing projects to keep me busy. Oh yeah, my latest novel is off to a kind of slow start but I'm working at it.
I'll let you know if I find any really killer salad recipes and how my hair turns out.
By the way I am on the prowl for any fun Christmas Day activities or themes for this year. if you have any great ideas please share. In the past we have had ornament or white elephant auctions with the money being donated to charity. It is fun and giving at the same time but I am looking for something new. What does your creative mind have to say about this?

Wanted to share my fave You Tube video and song Yeal Naim

XO-Mya

The Girl, The Mission, Road Trip, & A Sexy Sofa

Survived the dentist and the drugs yahhhhhh! My mission for today is a road trip. So not much getting done around here, but that's okay. I am sure you are wondering what the heck does a road trip have to do with that sexy little sofa above. The velvet lady is the muse for my current novel and she has a secret. Oh I just love secrets, don't you? Well more on that in a later post.
Have a wonderful weekend. I may fall a little short on my promise of a daily post over the weekend and yes I know you don't want to hear my excuses. I do have a couple good ones. I know, know I am falling short of my mission already, but I have my reasons. I know you don't want to hear them but I just saying....

Question of the day and this should prove that I am not so self-involved that I don't know what's going on in the world around me. Does too much money make you dumb and blind? I ask this because I don't understand how the Auto execs thought they could appeal to congress for a bail out by arriving into town on their lavish private jets and think no one would notice or care. I just don't get it- are they mindless idiots or does all that money really impair your judgement? There I feel better. Don't you?

XO-Mya

The Girl The Mission The Dentist, eeehhhh

Okay folks I am going a little easy on my self today. I have to go to the dentist and you know what that means for me. Well maybe you don't but here goes. I have to finish a crown (not the queen kind) and have another root canal. All of this means heavy medication for me. Remember I don't even like to have my teeth cleaned and I hate pain. My dental phobia is starting to kick in about now. In order to get me in the dental chair and start poking and drilling (ohh I can hear that drill now) I have to be medicated. Did anyone say wimp? Right here... do you see me waving my hand?

The really good thing about the meds are that I feel relaxed and can't remember a thing including the pain and sound of the drill. The bad thing is that I can't remember a thing. So I have to have a driver and a babysitter. I have been known to buy things I don't need and find them the next day only to wonder how I got them and then worry that I have become a shoplifter. Or put things away and never find them. Say things fifty times or forget to do what the dentist told me because I wasn't in my right mind when they told me. Yes, its bad, but totally worth it because it gets the job done painlessly and without several days of anxiety.

Okay so my mission for today is get a few pages of my manuscript done, pick up the house, and survive the dentist. Then I will veg out and try to stay out of trouble.

Can she do it? Yes she can!

Yesterday's mission impossible was pretty much a success. Most of the decorating is done and I completed 5 pages of my story. I will let you know how my dental adventures go.

XO-Mya

My Mission Day Two

Day one of my mission of completing the tasks I set out to do each and every day. Including posting on my progress daily. To understand my nonsense see day Zero/ previous post.
Today's mission was to finish my Christmas decorating and yes I am a bit early this year but upcoming family festivities warrant that this is done before Thanksgiving. Blah, blah, blah and having said all of that here is a snip it of what I accomplished. My theme this year is a little girl's fairy tale tree. Everything on the tree is either part of a story book fairy tale or a girl-like fantasy.

Christmas Tree up and decorated-check.
Okay I cheated a little there because I put it up and did most of the trimming this weekend but I am still counting it!

Wreaths completed and hung. Check- Check Both wreaths were existing pieces that I made years ago but they were in dire need of sprucing and adding a few new bedazzles here and there. The little elf above was part of my Christmas as a child. He sat on a little ladder going up the tree. He has a couple friends hiding on the other side of the wreath. Hopefully my sister doesn't see this or she will be ticked that I ended up with them. At least I hope so. I love it when I win the sibling rivalry thing.






The fairy door is decked out for the Holiday's with a tiny wreath and gifts on the door step. Check No I don't really believe in fairies, well at least not until I see one slip through the tiny door on my porch. I just want to keep the neighbors guessing and scare away the door to door solicitors.








My two feet tall bugling angel is in place, she is gracing my granite counter top. Check
I just love her. Picked her up at Home Goods- gotta love that store! She is gorgeous but hard to photograph- she is more beautiful in real life.
Doesn't sound like much but I did a lot more than I mentioned here honost, plus I had to chase the princess around.

Okay as for yesterday- Day Zero's task. How did I do? Well I didn't get 10 pages typed but I did manage 7. I now I have 10 typed pages. Slow progress but it is coming and sounds Damn good if I do say so myself :)

Til' tomorrow when The Girl- The Mission- and Day Two begins.

XO-Mya

My Mission and Day Zero

The girl, the mission, the task, the impossible and day zero.

Okay blogging buddies that is if you are still out there. I have gotten terribly distracted and need a new mission to carry me through my daily blog posts. So new plan. Are you ready. I will (try to) post daily on one task that I need to or will (may) accomplish for that day. Notice that I am a realist and say things like: try to, need to, or may accomplish.

Well aside from all that, this is my new mission and it starts with today; day zero. I will keep you updated on my progress of completing the task. Remember I am very easily side-tracked. I may need your help to keep me focused, decisive, and completely on task.

Okay the task or mission impossible for today is to take my newly outlined manuscript from an outline to at least ten typed pages. It won't be much, probably 7 thousand words by page 10 but it is a start.

Ready Go..........

The Presidential Pup

this little guy is one of the contenders for first dog.

A face that... well, I'm not sure anyone could love.
So the search is on for the next White House dog. It must be outgoing and as hypoallergenic as possible but shouldn't it be photogenic as well? Let's face it- as trivial as it seems the White House pets are sometimes remembered and photographed more often than the actual first family.

No dog is completely allergy free but this hairless dude above may come close.
I have shared my life with dogs from the day I was born, but discovered only a few years ago, during allergy testing, that I was allergic to them. I don't know what it would be like to be without or allergy free so I have kept my pooches and suffered a few sinus ills here and there.

Whatever pooch they choose, I hope it will give the Obama girls many years of companionship. Below is a list of the most popular names picked for the new presidential pup. Let me know your top pick. I like Lady Liberty or Economy.

Thanks for dropping by. Sorry I've been AWOL lately but a family emergency took me away for a few days.

XO-Mya

Here are the most popular names written in by poll respondents:
Hope
Lucky
Change
Sarah
George
Maverick
Snoopy
Buddy
Champ
Dog
Freedom
King
Liberty
Lincoln
Martin
Saul
Yes We Can
Other, less popular suggestions:
Abrahound Lincoln
Audacity
Big Reg
Donut
Duffy
Duke
Economy
Entropy
Howard (Dean)
Lady Liberty
Liberty ‘Libby’
Momentum
Nomad
Nova or Jade
Oprah
Promise
Rosa
Rufus
Secretary of State
Tina Fey

Every Voice Matters

This is it the big election day. Can you believe what a long road this has been? My little lady bug says get out and vote today. Make sure you are heard loud and clear. Every voice matters so make yours count!

XO-Mya

Movie Talk

I thought we could share a little movie talk between friends. My lastest movie adventure was The Secret Life of Bees this weekend. It really is a must see. The acting is great and the story is moving. Most of the theater audience shed at least one tear or maybe two. The book is even better so if nothing else read the book!

My previous movie trip was to see Nights in Rodanthe. Excellent romantic date night movie. I have to say I liked the movie a little better than the book. Another old favorite of mine that I happened to catch on Encor this weekend is Prelude to a Kiss. Of course, I love almost every Meg Ryan movie.

What movies have you seen lately?

XO-Mya

Haunted Houses and Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween my friends. I am back from my trip just in time to wish you all a spooky but safe tricker treat.

Are there goblins outside your window or a monster at your door?

Do ghosts haunt your bedroom and send you hurling on the floor?

(What would you do if you saw this coming at you?)

(Run? Good choice!)

Would you like to pay a visit to a place where ghosts and goblins hide?

Would you need your protector to stand strong and fearless at your side?

(This is a little cottage we visited in Captiva some time ago)

(looks haunted to me)

Take a long and treacherous walk up my stare,

you can enter my doorway if you dare.

(I wouldn't it looks far too creepy for me)

Old but not forgotten to the spirits that live inside,

What a lovely fortress for the zombies that must hide.

( I would love to take a tour of old abandoned or haunted houses on Halloween night but not alone! How about you?)

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Xo-Mya

Pink Saturday in Chicago

It is Pink Saturday once again and I will be spending it with my girlfriends in Chicago. Despite the weather forecast and the fact that I am the only one who doesn't snore (I'll need earplugs) I can't wait to get there.







We are going to see Tina and Tony's Wedding which I've heard is quite a hoot. The rest of our agenda involves shopping, laughing and maybe a drink or two.









This is the latest Flamingo exhibit. Can you pick me out? I'm the one in the lead, headed for the posh store in the next picture.










What a glamorous looking store! I am sure I won't be able to afford even a scarf in this shop but what a fun place to browse. I could live with a closet that looked like that. How about you?

Don't forget to stop by our friend Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound for a tour of Pink Saturday.

XO-Mya

Happy Fall

baby-girl's first leaf pile

Remember those fall days when you were young and couldn't wait to dive into a fresh pile of leaves? Falling leaves, bright orange pumpkins with Jack-o Lantern faces, and the excitement of Halloween just around the corner- the simple pleasures of our youth. Take a moment this week to jump into a fresh pile of leaves, roll around, throw them in the air, and then quickly duck into the house before the neighbor starts the phone chain to let everyone know that you finally lost your mind.

Happy Fall. Pumpkins dreams and goblin wishes to you all.

XO-Mya

Pink Saturday and Sunday Scribblings (Ruby Moon)

Photo credit: Flickr/ enchantres

I always wanted to open a little shop of upscale bath and body products and call it Ruby Moon. Since that was not to be, I created an imaginary Ruby Moon. It was imagined by me as described below. (Just my style)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ruby Moon was full of the enchanting allure of mysterious concoctions, all very purposeful but dangerous to the wallet. These mixtures were represented in bottles and tins of all shapes and sizes. The slender bottles gracing the window ledges reflected colorful light that bounced off the mirrors throughout the shop. They consisted of thick wavy glass that resembled old vessels washed up on the shore. Wavy glass bent the light into prisms that danced across the floor. There were endless shelves of glass, deep mahagony floors, and a hint of apple green covered what was left. Amber bottles wore labels with vintage appeal that was reminiscent of old France and begged to be touched.

It took only a quick glance in the window or a whiff of the lingering aroma to draw the customers in. The regulars were women who had little to do and more money than they knew what to do with. Many a traveler happened upon the shop with only fumes in their wallets but somehow they found a way to possess a special tonic that would change their lives. Some potions pledged to get you in the mood while other tonics promised to fix any flaw. Tucked in the back corner of Ruby Moon were thick cushy robes and fluffy white slippers that felt like heaven and begged to be worn. Moody blues played in the background as the customers filled their arms with French milled soaps, musk scented candles, and sexy bath beads.

The magic started the moment you entered the shop; a feeling of serenity swept you up; intoxicating smells whisked you away to exotic places with a mind-set far from home. An essence of vanilla with just a hint of something spicy always lingered over head. Each product held a promise to bless your home, make you unforgettable or cause a barren woman to become fertile.

This shop was bathed in a mystic atmosphere and every scent played a part in the allure of Ruby Moon. They all had an implicit purpose and place in the store. The customers were oblivious to the power that Miss Ruby held over them. All it took was a whiff of her potions to render them helpless. The aroma would seep out through the vents in spite of a few, well placed, droplets in the air ducts which permeated the air and tempted them in from the street. These poor souls didn’t comprehend why they had come to Ruby Moon but a voice in their head told them to possess this fragrance before they left the store.

Today’s fragrance is Velvet Crush which is a passionate combination of opium and sweet vanilla.

Want Some???

Thank you for stopping by Ruby Moon on a Pink Saturday.

For more tempting posts visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound

XO-Mya

Fairy Doors and Magic Skies

Just wanted to share with you a couple of notes about my recent birthday. Just as you might have guessed I was 25 again.
The image above was my view of the sky on the eve of my birthday. I couldn't decide if it was beautiful or bewitching. At the very least it was magical and I just had to share it with you.






I couldn't wait to show you the gift from my daughter. It is of course a tiny fairy door. It looks sweet gracing my front porch. I am still waiting for the little fairies to come in and spread a little magic fairy dust about. You can get one for yourself at http://www.enchantedfairydoors.com/

Happy Birthday to all my fellow Libras out there.


XO-Mya

Little Help Please-Your Opinion Matters to Me

I am looking for a little feedback on the opening pages of my first novel "A Sea of Whispers"

Please give me your honest opinion on how it makes you feel and if you would continue to read the book. It is so important that the opening pages draw the reader in. Your opinion matters to me, so tell me what you think. Is there something I should add, delete or change. Don't be afraid to say what you really think- I need honesty.

A sea of Whispers

Beyond the sunken gate, tucked within the garden wall, lies a secret. This secret waits in silence for those who seek answers to the mystery within. It is protected by vines that never sleep and flowers that spew a luring bouquet. The salty air blows past the secret garden and whispers truths to a past filled with lies.


Chapter I


The space between sleep and consciousness is a little uneasy for Tally. She never knows if within those moments she will open her eyes to the comforts of her cottage or the terror of the day that she lost her innocence. Her nightmares are so vivid that the scent lingers inside her nose for several minutes after she wakes. Sight is the strongest of our five senses but scent evokes memories like nothing else can.

She licked her lips, no blood, it was just another dream. Her chest rose and fell hard as she drew in a deep breath and let it out again. Still struggling for a reason to open her eyes, Tally exposed the windows and looked out across the rainy skies. It was the kind of day that she would rather close the shades and just sleep. This wasn’t possible today, it was important that she made an effort, especially today. She dressed in her favorite white blouse and charcoal grey pants that buttoned down the side and rested at her ankles with a two inch cuff. Not her best look but she would make it work. The pants were trendy back when she bought them several years ago but now that was debatable. One peek in her closet was telling; it was obvious that it had been far too long since she paid attention to the way she dressed. There was a time when looking stylish and attractive wouldn’t have been an issue or even a thought in her mind. She’d been blessed with something special; her charisma came naturally and without effort. But times had changed as the years passed. As Tally looked in the mirror she couldn’t help but notice the dark circles below her eyes and subtle hints of grey hair that seemed to have crept up over night. After she fell madly in love with the man of her dreams she stopped paying attention to the way she looked. It never occurred to her that it mattered anymore or that David would notice and fall out of love with her. As an ocean breeze blew through the open window and graced her cheek; she glanced down at her worn out shoes on the cold floor. The soles were tattered and the leather, worn with age, had lost most of its color. She wished she had something better, but she was alone now for the first time in her life and new shoes were not an option. Tally hoped that she could pull it off and no one would notice that her clothing revealed a woman who had lost herself years ago. She felt relieved as she stepped through the door and noticed that the rain had stopped. A break in the weather meant that she could leave the old car stationary and cruise down the road on her vintage bicycle. The breeze on her face and wind sailing through her hair was her favorite way to launch the day. She felt good as a wall of steam rose from the sandy soil and wrapped her body in a comforting way. Off in the distance her eyes met the most beautiful rainbow, stretched across the sky. It was spectacular but then so was everything else outside her quaint little cottage on the edge of the sea.

Tally looked at the tremble in her hands; she was nervous. It had been a long time since she started a new job. She couldn’t remember what it felt like to be the new girl fumbling her way through a task while hoping that no one would notice. Desperate to live up to her dreams, her mind longed for the day that she would be free from the daily nightmares. But these dreams were always there no matter how far she ran to escape them. Life was going change now that she found a place where she could lose herself, far away from her past. The landscape was different, people were different, even the air smelled different in this stretch along the beach. Tally vowed to leave her past in West Virginia, no addictions, no secrets, no more lies. This wasn’t a good time to be thinking about her past but she couldn’t keep the memories at bay. As she jumped on her bicycle and headed up the trail, the memories flooded her mind like a river that had found its way around the dam.

I appreciate your comments.

XO-Mya

Extreme Makeover Home Addition in Michigan

A star is born- well almost.
More on that later.



Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to Michigan last week and they built a fabulous house.








This deserving family lost their father and husband to the dreadful Hep-C virus. He unfortunately contracted it while working as a nurse at a local hospital.









My husband's company was one of the contractors on the job and to my daughter's surprise he set it up so she could help build the interior stone wall. Imagine her excitement as she did her hair and picked just the right outfit for her debut. Dani sue had visions of meeting the man- Ty Pennington. Well he was no where to be seen on that day- off on another assignment.







She decided that it was okay that she didn't see Ty when Micheal asked her to be his assistant for the unveiling of the T.V. He told her to hide behind a half wall and pop up when he said the T.V. will appear out of nowhere. She quickly jumped behind the wall and fixed her hair but at the last minute the producer gave her a piece of cardboard to push up instead of her face. She didn't find it very funny as they all laughed at her question-How are they going to see me?



Micheal was sweet and signed her shirt. Then he called her his little T.V. bitch (in an endearing way) and told her to put on her resume that she was his assistant.

Although she didn't become a star or get to meet Ty, she had a good time and it was a very worthy cause.

Sorry Dani Sue but I had to share this- it was just too good to keep to myself :)

XO-Mya (mom)

Pink Saturday; Posh Pets

How pampered is your pet. I found a sight for Posh pet parties. Check it out. Yes, I know what am I thinking; in these economic times isn't this s bit ridiculous? Well maybe but it would be a lot of fun. My dogs don't have their own doggie sofa. Why? Because they don't know they're dogs. They would snub their noises and jump right up on the human sofa, anyway.

It would make a cute conversation piece though.

Happy Pink Saturday to you and your furry friends. Visit our wonderful hostess Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more pink fun.

XO-Mya

Hopeful Friday

My princess Grace

Today I am joining The House in the Roses for Hopeful Friday. What could be more hopeful than the face of a child in the sunlight not to mention a little girl with wings. As we grow older we sometimes lose our ability to fly. Life has a way of interfearing in our pursuit of the dream by clipping our wings. Don't give up- wings have the ability to grow back.
Believe in yourself and follow your bliss all the way to the dream.

Thank you Cielo for being our gracious hostess.

XO-Mya