Bronwyn Green

The Corner of Quirky & Kinky

I know we just had one, but I’ve got another Riding in Cars with Boys for you, because it cracked me up and I had to share.

Justin: My x-box live account finally gets unbanned today. Gonna play me some COD (Call of Duty for the uninitiated).

Me: Wait…you got banned on x-box live? What’d you do?

Justin: Hell if I know. I just got a notice that I was banned for a week.

Killian: Did you say “fuck” a few too many times?

Justin: Probably.

Not-Kevin: But don’t you play mostly rated M games? I can’t imagine that there are a lot of not-fuck-sayers on there where that would be a problem.

Me: (LOLing) Not-fuck-sayers? That’s my new favorite phrase. Well done.

Killian: (in a snooty British accent) Are you a fuck-sayer or a not-fuck-sayer?

Justin: (responding in an equally snooty accent) I, good sir, am indeed a fuck-sayer.

Killian: I too, am a fuck-sayer. (long pause) Except at Nana’s. She doesn’t go for fuck-sayers or even shit-sayers.

I’m glad the child knows enough not to swear in front of my Step-mom.

Okay, I know that’s not a big deal, especially since a lot of people are awesome and blog every day. But for me, it’s pretty huge. Mostly because I’m really busy…and also easily distracted.

Shiny!

Oops. Right. Back to this post.

Okay, so anyway, I figured I should do something to celebrate my 500th blog post – and that something is a print book and swag giveaway! There will be three winners, and all you need to do to enter is leave a comment and a valid email address.

Included in the giveaway is a print copy of Overlord’s Chosen, a notepad and a purse sized mirror. A print copy of Celtic Fire, a notepad and a purse sized mirror. And finally, a print copy of Seducing the Myth (awesome antho of erotic retellings of myths – my story Maiden’s Grail is in there) note and mirror.

So, go on – what are you waiting for! Enter and say hi! 😀 The contest ends at 7pm, Monday the 12th.

Okay, I know that’s not a big deal, especially since a lot of people are awesome and blog every day. But for me, it’s pretty huge. Mostly because I’m really busy…and also easily distracted.

Shiny!

Oops. Right. Back to this post.

Okay, so anyway, I figured I should do something to celebrate my 500th blog post – and that something is a print book and swag giveaway! There will be three winners, and all you need to do to enter is leave a comment and a valid email address.

Included in the giveaway is a print copy of Overlord’s Chosen, a notepad and a purse sized mirror. A print copy of Celtic Fire, a notepad and a purse sized mirror. And finally, a print copy of Seducing the Myth (awesome antho of erotic retellings of myths – my story Maiden’s Grail is in there) note and mirror.

So, go on – what are you waiting for! Enter and say hi! 😀 The contest ends at 7pm, Monday the 12th.

I know, I know. It’s been way too long without an episode of Riding in Cars with Boys. Lately, it’s been 90% video game talk and well…I’ll admit most of it is unintelligible to me seeing as how I speak very little Area of Effect, Hit Points and Critical Damage.

Right before I left for school to pick up the boys, I got these texts from Killian.


Half an hour later, I pulled into the school parking lot and the boys piled into to the car along with a new blond kid I’d never seen before.

Justin: Good. I see you’ve brought the Bag of Holding. We’ll be needing that for body hiding.

Me: (Peering at the poufy haired blond in my backseat) So…introductions?

Justin: This is Zach. He lives kinda by me and I told him you wouldn’t mind bringing him home. Is that cool?

Me: Yeah, that’s fine.

Justin: This is Mrs. Killian’s Mommy, the coolest mother you will ever meet. Ever.

Me: I’d like that on a shirt, please.

Not Kevin: That can be arranged.

Zach: Nice to meet you. (Turns to Justin) Dude…did you just throw your own mom under a bus.

Justin: Yes. Because my mom is batshit crazy. And so is she, but in a totally good way. You’ll see.

Me: And that’s why I’m adopting you. Okay, so back to the whole body hiding thing. I assume this involves a girl?

Killian: But of course.

Justin: Her name is Meg.

Me: Is she from The Island?

Justin: I’m pretty sure she is. I talk to her every day in math. She likes the same books I like and she thinks Katniss (the heroine of The Hunger Games) is a whiny, selfish bitch, too.

Me: Okay, so ask her out.

Killian: She has a boyfriend. That’s why we need your purse.

(In case you’re wondering – this is the purse in question. Sure, I could probably fit a small child in there, but a teenage boy is pushing it.) Justin: Your kid is right. It’s the only way.

Me: Murder is the only way to get a girlfriend?

Justin: Look, I don’t know who your kid killed to get a girlfriend as great as the one he has, but it must have been someone.

Me: Maybe he’s just awesome and she sees that about him.

Justin: Or he drugged her. Did you drug her?

Killian: No, I didn’t drug her.

Justin: Whatever. I don’t believe you. I just know that this guy has to go, then I can move in with the comfort and sympathy.

Not-Kevin: And bingo-bango! Girlfriend!

Me: I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works, guys.

Killian: Well if you’re not gonna help us, maybe Siri will.

Then this happened.


Zach: Pick swamps. Swamps are good.

Me: Of course, Siri offers help for hiding a body. Not helping, Siri! And you guys wonder why I fear Skynet.

Sadly, (for Justin, anyway) Meg’s boyfriend hasn’t found his way into my purse or any of the other places Siri suggested.

It’s that time of year when my family only trusts me to bring one dish to the big family gathering. Green Bean Casserole. Now granted, I make a bitchin GBC – it includes extra goodies like garlic, cheddar cheese and bacon. Mmmmm…bacon.

You see, while my family loves me, they don’t trust me.

It’s true, I’m not a great cook, but I get by. I’d like to think that I could branch out a little and try something else. Maybe those cheesy potatoes with the crunchy stuff on top. Or squash. Or hell, a pie. But nope, I’m on GBC duty. Again.

As has become tradition on this blog, I’m going to mention a few things I’m thankful for.

First and foremost, I’m thankful for my family – even though they’re actively stifling my creativity in the kitchen. I have the most amazing kids, husband, siblings, parents and extended family. They’re all a little crazypants, but I wouldn’t trade any of them.

I’m thankful for my friends – online and real life alike. The connection that have with these people is amazing. I know that there are some people who don’t understand that it’s possible to build real, loving, supportive relationships with people you may never physically meet, but it’s true. I love you guys, and I’m grateful for each and every one of you. And my real life friends, I love you, too. You’re all amazing.

I’m thankful that I’m able to build a career that encompasses two of my biggest passions – reading and writing. I feel incredibly lucky to spend my work day editing other authors and writing my own stuff. Grants, some work days are longer than others – and I’ve had some doozies lately – but no matter how crappy the day is, I’d still rather do this than anything else.

In no particular order, I’m thankful for laughter, dark chocolate, my kids’ laughter, changing leaves, the support of my friends and laughing til we cry, bonfires, music, purring kittens, Starbucks, foggy mornings, starry nights, stories to lose myself in, a roof over our heads, books, creative outlets, thunderstorms, snow days, the clacking sound of knitting needles, hot tea, apple butter…

I could go on and on and I probably would if I didn’t have to mix up that green bean casserole. Mostly, I’m just thankful for the life I have and I’m thankful for everyone in it. I hope that everyone who celebrates has an awesome Thanksgiving and those who don’t have a wonderful day.

And as we say in my fam, Happy Infect and Kill the Indigenous People Day. (As you may have gathered, we’re not particularly reverent.) 😉

As many of my regular readers go, I’m pretty much the Queen of Awkward. I’ve got a prime example of the the crap that happens to me over at the Writer’s Evolution Blog – one I don’t think I’ve shared with you, yet. At least…I can’t find it anywhere on the blog, so hopefully, it’s new to you. 🙂

Please feel free to tell me about your most embarrassing story. I promise, you’ll be in good company.

A writer who gives up all of her royalties on a novel to help a wonderful and much needed charity.

The charity is called ALSO Out Youth. They strive to end all forms of violence, harassment and discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Their mission is to enhance self-esteem, promote healthy dialogue, and increase awareness of sexual minority issues.

ALSO Out Youth provides many direct services, including peer support services, social activities, educational programs and workshops, advocacy, and referrals for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning youth ages 13 to 21, their families and friends, and the community.

See what I mean? An amazing charity!

And the author in question is my equally amazing friend, Kim Dare. She’ll be sending all royalties from her November release, Touching Wood to ALSO Out Youth. I hope you’ll consider helping by purchasing a copy of her book.

Here’s the Blurb:

It’s been quite a while since Ross and his master, Harry, have had time to go down into their basement play room and have some fun together. That’s about to change.

Everyone knows that touching wood can bring a person luck and Ross needs all the luck he can get tonight. Failing to touch wood isn’t an option—but when a man is bound and helpless it isn’t necessarily easy to succeed either.

I have a confession.

I’m addicted to Pinterest.

I had no idea what it was until I came across this blog post by Brittany Gibbons – Why Pinterest is Like Black Tar Heroin. So after that rousing endorsement, I had to check it out and fell in love. I like to think of it as a slightly more organized version of tumbler.

To the casual observer, it looks like a collection of cool pictures. But it’s oh so much more than that. I currently have thirteen boards that house my collections. There’s art that I like, recipes I want to make, a board devoted to my lifelong obsession with gypsies, another that has adorable animals, another with clothes I’d like to wear, and another with inspirational quotes. You can name your boards whatever you like. For instance, my recipe board is called, “Let’s be honest…it’s food porn.” And my craft board is called, “Craft ideas…’cause I need more damn hobbies.

The great thing about this cool collection of pictures, is if I see a recipe I want to try, I don’t need to remember where the hell I found it on the internet. The picture that I’ve saved on Pinterest also saves the original link, so I can always find my way back to it. Like that pair of boots but aren’t ready to order them yet? Pin it on your fashion board and come back to them when you’re ready.

The great thing is that you can make boards for whatever interests you. Like my Dream House board. Le sigh…

If you’re interested in making a Pinterest account of your own, read the post by Brittany. She breaks it down with easy to follow instructions way better than I ever could.

I was gonna post some of my favorite pictures to share with you guys, but I kept getting distracted by all the awesome and damn it, I’ve got two books to write!