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Write About Now

What’s the Rush?

Some days, it’s hard for me to sit at the computer and let greatness pour abundantly forth from my fingers. (Hard to believe, I know.) There’s nothing more humbling than sharing little tidbits of yourself with the world, not knowing exactly where that will lead in the end. It’s kind of like Hansel and Gretel, only hopefully, there is just a lovely abandoned Gingerbread house without a creepy cannibalistic witch waiting behind the door.

Anyway…

Sometimes, I have to remember that it’s not about reaching the end – who really wants to do that?! It’s all about our experiences along the way. When we choose to focus on the myriad moments that create a single experience, the possibilities for satisfaction and contentment are endless.

Write About Now

This time of year makes it more of a challenge for me to actually do this. Sure, I live in sunny California, so I still get to spend most of my work days basking in the sunlight one way or another for a few hours or so at the very least. For those of you who are in snowy parts of the world, it’s not always easy to wake up to a cold, dark morning, go to work, take a break and realize that it’s pitch black again by 3:30 PM. I remember those days in Germany, and I do not necessarily think on them with nostalgic fondness.

When writing in the darker, colder months, it’s easy to get caught up in every moment except for the one you should be focusing on. For me, it’s a massive, yet common case of resistance. One of my favorite books for artists of all kinds is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. (As a matter of fact, I should go and read it again. Wait! More resistance. D’oh!) We start to feel nostalgic, and we begin to reflect on the year that is quickly becoming a part of our past, and I don’t know how it is for you, but sometimes my writing ends up being in limbo.

My characters start reminiscing too much, and the action sequences are far more reflective than they should be. They all seem to want to put aside their conflicts, tuck into a bowl of hot soup, and cocoon themselves in a thick blanket with a soft pillow.

While I do have a healthy sense of self-confidence, I also know that I am not a sorceress. Ultimately, continuously writing in the now, regardless of your environment, takes a lot of mental strength and professional acumen, which means that I still have a long way to go.

Focus

What tricks do you use to stay focused? How in the world can you help yourself stay motivated? Don’t be stingy – share a tip or two!

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

©Atina Atwood 2018 Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time.™

– Atina Atwood is a southern girl who moved from Europe to the West Coast. A former university professor in Germany and California, Atina stepped away from Academia to focus on her miracle child, life, love, food, quilting, and of course, Romance. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest for more.

Posted 6 days ago Blogging

Thursday’s Romantic Thought: Kissing in the Rain

Two lovers in the rain

have no need of an umbrella.

~Japanese Proverb

thursdays-romantic-thoughts-kissing-in-the-rain — Google

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

©Atina Atwood 2018 Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time.™

Posted 1 week ago Blog

Where The Good Men Are – 4 Ways to Recognize Them

Where The Good Men Are

(Yes, this post’s title should hopefully remind us of Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s picture book Where the Wild Things Are.)

Lately, and with good reason, many women have been publicly lamenting how men continue to let down our collective society. In many ways, this is nothing new, and on many accounts, sadly, I see no lies. However, while many of these musings are narratives that should and must be shared with the world, we also desperately need to hear of the men – our family members, friends, people in our communities – who are doing things right. We all know a good man when we see one.

What Makes A Man A “Good” One?

The criteria for being considered a “good man” are really rather basic: Be honest, work hard, never harm, and care.

Yup. That’s about it. I think that pretty much covers it. Fin.

Alright, if you insist, I’ll elaborate.

1. He’s Honest.

Under this category, please include: fidelity, truthfulness, and loyalty. This also means communicating in all aspects, verbally, physically, and emotionally. It means doing the right thing, even when it’s uncomfortable, and knowing exactly what the right thing is because you know your Mama and Daddy taught you the difference between right and wrong.

2. He Works Hard.

Now, this one is deceptively trickier. Working hard certainly means having a job that pays, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be singularly with cash. Of course, being able to support your family financially is most ideal, and most of the time with the unequal pay gap, necessary. However, working hard also means offering support in the role of a care-giver. Provide for yourself and family to the absolute best of your ability by giving of yourself in any way that you can.

This is a really rough one for many men, because traditionally, the role is to be the “bread winner”. What if there are reasons that prevent you from being that? Many Vets are struggling to come back home to us in one piece, both mentally and physically. It saddens me deeply to know that on top of those struggles, there’s the added pressure of having to maintain an expected persona that can’t always be maintained. When you’re doing your best, you’re working hard. We should all strive to make our best even better over time.

3. He Would Never Harm.

Yeah, apparently, this one seems to be the confusing one for a lot of people. Don’t do things that wouldn’t feel good to you if someone were to do them to you. Ugh.

As much as I want to harp on this one, there’s no point. If people lack an empathetic bone in their bodies, it will be impossible for them to imagine what life must be like in someone else’s shoes. So, I can just say, no gaslighting, cover ups, systemic abuse in any way shape or form. Please.

4. He Cares.

Please, my dear – simply just give a damn. Again, this is a call for empathy. Don’t just care about yourself or your boys; care for the children, the women, the men who are lost, the elderly, the animals, the friggin’ planet, something, ANYTHING other than just your favorite sports team, game, or super hero.

All Sides of the Coin

If you’ve gotten this far, you’ll know that this list is just a basic call for human decency. No matter how you identify, hopefully all of us can see the merit in striving for all of these things. Sure, we all make mistakes, but if we go back up to the first one – being honest – we will own up to those mistakes and strive to do better. We all need to hold ourselves up to better standards, because we all deserve better.

Does this list sound like Mission Impossible to you? Is this why romantic tropes seem to hit these points again and again like a sledgehammer? Maybe so. But to you men out there who seem to hit each and every point time and time again, thank you. Thank you for being a part of my life and a part of this world.

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

©Atina Atwood 2018 Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time.™

Posted 1 week ago Blog

It’ssss My Birthday!

Come Celebrate with Me!

I’m so excited and happy to be able to celebrate another birthday today! It’s a true blessing, and I’ve been so glad to receive so many phone calls, texts, and messages from family and friends- and it’s only 10:30 AM. A huge THANK YOU and hug to all of you!

itssss-my-birthday-atina-atwood — Google

This made me think of how much social media can also make a difference on days like these. I’m so thankful to have a supportive and loving family and circle of friends. But it can be another experience on social media outlets. It made me realize how cool it is to interact with friendly people simply want to wish you well.

I want to celebrate my birthday by getting to know more amazing people who are as interested in Love, Life, and Romance as I am. Connect with me @Atina_Atwood on Twitter, and also (I promise I’ll be more active on) Facebook. I’ll be sure to connect with you as well, so that I can hopefully bring a smile to your face on your special days!

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

©Atina Atwood 2018 Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time.™

Posted 2 weeks ago3 Comments Blogging

Thursday’s Romantic Thought: Perfect Imperfection

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

©Atina Atwood 2018 Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time.™

Posted 2 weeks ago Blogging

Happy German Unity Day! (Tag Der deutschen Einheit)

Tag der deutschen Einheit

I would be remiss not to blog on a day that will forever be etched in my heart. Way back in the Land Before Time, 1989, I was a just a little slip of a thing, and it was way past my bedtime. I remember being completely disoriented as my mom woke me from my dreamless sleep, excitement in her voice.

“Girls!” she whispered. “Wake up! You need to see this.”

My sister and I clamored out our beds; I know that I was still little enough to have pajama bottoms with the footies on the end of them. As we stood in front of the television rubbing our sleepy eyes, my parents watched on in excitement, joy making their eyes wide and bright.

“Remember this.” My mom said as she pulled us close into a tight hug. “You’re watching history happen.”

Years later, this memory would end up taking on so much more significance in my life, and each time October 3rd rolls around, I remember this day with gratitude and tears in my eyes for so many reasons. “Die Mauer ist weg.” And I have an amazing family, and my child has a phenomenal history.

Es ist nicht realistisch zu denken, dass unser Demokratie Fehlerfrei ist. Es gibt Momente wo ich die Schlagzeilen lesen und denke, ach Gott, wo sind wir nun gelandet? Aber ich weiß, dass Deutschland, genauso wie Amerika, immer noch viel zu feiern hat. Die deutsche Wiedervereinigung symbolisiert die Hoffnung, und kein Mensch soll sie aufgeben. Ein Mauer steht noch vor uns, und diesmal müssen wir unsern Herzen öffnen. Es ist kein leichter Weg, aber wir schaffen es!

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

©Atina Atwood 2018 Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time

Posted 2 weeks ago2 Comments Blogging

Short Story: Ali & Nick (Part 2)

Ali & Nick (Part 2)

Okay, it’s been a while since I’ve returned to Ali & Nick. Sometimes, when I’m delving in the business of other folks, aka writing, some stories rush forward, demanding to be told, while others choose to take the time of a gently blossoming flower. The story with Ali and Nick is a bit more like the latter than the former.

If you haven’t had a chance to get to know Ali & Nick, or since it’s been a while, get to know them in the first installment of the short story here. Now, without further adieu, their story continues…

Nick

“I’m just gonna assume that you’re Nick.” Her strong voice was no nonsense, smooth as butter, and carried the faint overtones of reproach.

“Yeah, that’s me.” Why do I always sound like an idiot in real life?

When a computer is in front of me, it becomes my shield, and I can approach anyone as though we are equal. My confidence soars, and I know exactly how I want to express myself. If the words don’t look right, I can simply erase them and try again. In real life, I only get one chance, and as soon as I open my mouth, I somehow end up feeling like a first-class dunce.

Miraculously, she sat down, and I scrambled to remove the scarf that I’d thrown over the chair to reserve a spot for her. I send a silent prayer of thanks to my Grandmother for having at least taught me manners. Nervously, I cleared my throat.

“Thank you so much for coming. I know that neither one of us is really into meeting face to face…”

As soon as I mentioned the word face, I lost my train of thought. Ali is truly beautiful. Now that I’ve had a chance to see her in real life, her profile picture seemed like a caricature. Her eyes were the color and shape of a roasted almond, a mesmerizing shade of light brown just on the verge of turning dark. At first glance, I could tell that those eyes were perceptive — they noticed everything with judgement and a hint of distrust. Under her intense scrutiny, I was no exception.

“…And yet, you insisted that we meet.” Ali readjusted herself in the overstuffed chair, scooting back with her legs primly crossed at the ankles.

I battled with my eyes to keep them above her neckline, but eventually, I lost the war. Her legs got longer by the second, and that eggplant purple skirt ended just a few tantalizing inches above her knees. The black button-up blouse that she wore was modest, some sort of silky material with long sleeves and a high collar. I don’t know how it worked, but it did. She pulled off sexy and sophisticated at the same time, and while I felt nothing but admiration and attraction, I also felt even more inept wearing just jeans a t-shirt with the logo of my brother’s auto shop business. When my eyes finally returned to hers, a faint sparkle of mirth in them reminded me of gold.

“Yeah, I know.” I sighed and ran a hand through the length of my hair. I was overdue for a haircut, but times were tough and I didn’t have the $20 to throw towards vanity.

“So, now that we’re face to face, what is it that you feel you need to say, Nick? You already know that I’m out of my comfort zone here, but the past few months have been… nice.” Ali paused, and I could have sworn that the heat of a blush stained her cheeks.

“Look,” I started, already exasperated by the amount of words we’d already exchanged, but hadn’t really gotten anywhere. “I just needed to see you, face to face. I needed to know if you were — real.”

There, I said it. At risk of looking like a complete idiot in a public place, I had to lay everything out on the line. Because the truth of the matter is, this online thing between us isn’t enough for me anymore.

“What do you want from me?”

Her features had softened at my outburst, and now she stared at me thoughtfully, with genuine interest. I was relieved that she hadn’t walked away, or worse, outright laughed in my face. Still, I knew that Ali was highly intelligent, and combined with her beauty and wit, she was definitely a force to be reckoned with.

There was no way that I could honestly answer her question. Not now. Not when my mouth, heart, and soul wanted to confess to her that I wanted anything and everything she was willing to give me.

***************************************TBC*****************************************

I can’t wait to find out what happens next! Be on the lookout for my next installment (sooner rather than later).

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

©Atina Atwood 2018 Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time

Posted 2 weeks ago Blogging

My New Logo! Tell Me What You Think

Normally I post on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I’m excited to share my logo. Although I’m moving at a snail’s pace in terms of networking and growth, I’m still excited to be on this exciting journey. Lately, more and more people have been asking for my business card *squee!* and more contact information. I finally broke down and got a few logos made. This is the one that I like the most:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Sending Love and Light to all of you!

©Atina Atwood 2018 Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time

Posted 3 weeks ago Blogging

Thursday’s Romantic Thought: Don’t Hold Back

“When I give, I give myself.”

-Walt Whitman

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

©Atina Atwood 2018 Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time

Posted 3 weeks ago Blogging

Falling in Love with Fall – 3 Things to Do This Autumn Season

Fall in Love With Fall

Now that Fall is officially among us, this is the perfect time to celebrate all things cozy and fun. For some reason, I am especially looking forward to Autumn this year (and not just because the San Diego summer temperatures were so brutal)! First of all, October is my birth month, so I’m looking forward to making the absolute most of it. What are some things that we can do this month to celebrate the awesomeness of the new season? Here are a few ideas…

falling-in-love-falling-in-love-with-fall-3-things-to-do-this-autumn-season — Google

Do Something with Pumpkins.

This one kind of feels like a no-brainer, but it needs to be said. Even if you aren’t a fan of the taste of pumpkin – ahem, that would be me – don’t throw a pout-fest because everything is suddenly all things orange. I love the color, and nothing is more exciting than going some place away from the hustle and bustle to find a good old-fashioned Pumpkin Patch. There’s fun to be had for all ages, be it a hayride, a pumpkin decorating contest, or searching for the ultimate pumpkin to take home.

Also, you can really go all out and ask your local food banks or shelters if they have any need or desire for fresh pumpkins. One thing that really drives me crazy about this time of year is our ridiculous sense of waste. Pumpkins are fun to decorate, but remember that they can be consumed and enjoyed! Dry out the seeds and roast them for a surprisingly tasty treat.

Cozy Up and Snuggle In

You know that as of this year, I’ve become a huge fan of quilting, so of course I have to recommend getting under some sort of cozy blanket. Even writing that sentence made me sigh deeply with satisfaction. Honestly, even if you don’t make your own little snuggle quilt, get one wherever you can, claim it as your own – and never let it go.

One of the most beautiful things about this fall season is that each day gives you the opportunity to snuggle up with the ones you love, as well was the things we love. Speaking of cozying up to things we love…

Grab a Great Book and Hunker Down

What would Fall be without embracing the chance to fall in love time and time again? There are so many amazing books to get into, and I’m happy to share a few that are on my list of Autumn cozies: Alyssa Cole’s A Duke by Default (Reluctant Royals #2) has gained so much organic traction, I would be remiss not to grab a copy myself! I can’t wait to read my first story by the author, and I’m sure that it won’t be the last. Tessa Dare’s The Governess Game (Girl Meets Duke #2) is also on my list, as it has been widely acclaimed well beyond the realm of Romancelandia. Lastly, Helen Hoang’s The Kiss Quotient is just one that has been floating around in the back of my mind for a while, and so it’s time to go and scratch that itch. Of course, there are many others on my list – outside of romance *gasp*!

What are some of the things that you love to do during the Autumn season? Drop a comment below and share. I’d love to hear from you! Until then, enjoy this happy, colorful season.

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

©Atina Atwood 2018 Exploring Love and Life, One Word At A Time.™

Posted 4 weeks ago Blogging

Thursday’s Romantic Thought: Go Ahead, Make My Day

“Morning without you is a

dwindled dawn.”

-Emily Dickinson

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

Posted 4 weeks ago3 Comments Blogging

It’s Quiltin’ Time! Pillow Talk

This Doesn’t Count As Quilting, But…

So, while in the midst of creating worlds and waging a daily battle of fleshing out 2-dimensional characters, as you likely know by now, my acquired hobby of quilting keeps my hands busy when my mind needs a break.

This has actually become a really exciting hobby for me, because it’s fulfilling in the sense that I get to be creative, and it’s practical, because I’m actually making things that can be used. The most satisfying part is knowing that I make beautiful projects that I gift or donate to others. Quilting is truly a labor of love, and since I’m all about love and kindness, happiness and romance, this is an artisan skill that is absolutely right down my alley. But for every quilt made, we also need pillow cases!!

I love These Pillow Cases!

My latest project stems from a monthly sewing club at my local quilt shop that I’m starting to visit on a regular basis. The club president is dynamic, kindhearted, and has the absolute best sense of humor with an incredibly infectious laugh. I’m pretty sure that at least a small essence of her personality and temperament will manifest in one of my recurring characters in an upcoming work. I look forward to really getting to know that character, as well as the actual person who’s inspiration behind it!

In the meantime, these are my lovely pillow cases, the first made for a dear friend who happened to fall in love with the fabric when we were shopping together. The second set is likely for my niece.

I was so excited about the outcome, I just had to share!

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

Posted 1 month ago Blogging

Thursday’s Romantic Thought: Radiant Love

“Love, whether newly born, or aroused from a death-like slumber, must always create sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world.”

– Nathaniel Hawthorne

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

– Atina Atwood is a southern girl who moved from Europe to the West Coast. A former university professor in Germany and California, Atina stepped away from Academia to focus on her miracle child, life, love, food, quilting, and of course, writing. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest for more.

Posted 1 month ago books

How Do You Know You’re Reading a Romance Novel?

Romance ALWAYS Has a Happy Ending

One the nicest things about real romance novels is the fact that no matter what your heroes go through, there WILL be a happily-ever-after (HEA), or the more recent happy-for-now (HFN) ending. If you don’t get one of those, then it isn’t a romance novel. It’s always grotesquely entertaining when people try to argue away this fact. Sure, there are novels that have very heavy romantic elements, but if the two heroes don’t waltz or hobble away together at the end of the story, certain that they are capable of loving and being loved, then my friend, you simply just read some other kind of story with a lot of romantic elements in it, but it wasn’t a romance. Don’t get upset. It happens. A romance novel always has a happy ending, even if it’s “for now”. Period.

Romance is is Predictably Unpredictable

The fact that romance is predictably unpredictable is the part that keeps me coming back time and time again. I only started getting into romance novels when I was working on my dissertation and needed something to help me decompress during those myriad sleepless nights. I’ll never forget how grateful I was to be able to divert my overactive mind to focus on two main characters who were fate-bound and were destined to be okay, if not more than okay, at the end of it all. No matter how unpredictably the plot line may shift or twist, predictably, everything will turn out alright in the end. More or less. You may end up with fewer characters, but oh well. The two heroes are really what matter most.

I generally average about a book a night, and every single night, I’m getting a bird’s eye view of other people’s lives. At this point in my life, this has also become research, but I welcome it every time. Each book is different, and the journey may be as unique as the characters are, but they will be rewarded with the ultimate prize – requited love – every single time. Yay!!!

how-do-you-know-youre-reading-a-romance-novel — Google

Romance Has a Place for EVERYONE

Although the genre has a loooooooong way to go in terms of representation, people in the industry are starting to wake up to the fact that readers want to read about people falling in love who are like themselves. This means that not every hero can be blonde haired, blue eyed rail thin model, or have honey-wheat locks that frame a heart-shaped face with piercingly green eyes but “curves to die for”. Characters who are People of Color want love just the same, and People of Faith want their chance, just as anyone in the LGBTQ+ community does. Love is love, folks, and that’s what romance it all about. It’s up to us to choose what we personally enjoy when we read, but it’s important to emphasize that we readers should have a choice. And it’s our responsibly as writers to provide options to the best of our ability and personal preference.

It’s refreshing to see that Rom/Coms are making their way back into the mainstream, from book to film, giving us all the feels we’re familiar with, but with different faces and different shapes. If tons of folks can get into paranormal romance, then I suppose people with “diverse backgrounds” shouldn’t be that much of stretch for people…. but only time will tell. Keep reading, keep loving, and keep an open mind – and heart.

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

Posted 1 month ago inspiration

Thursday’s Romantic Thought: Never-ending Love Stories

“True love stories never have endings.”

– Richard Bach

Sending Love and Light to all of you.

– Atina Atwood is a southern girl who moved from Europe to the West Coast. A former university professor in Germany and California, Atina stepped away from Academia to focus on her miracle child, life, love, food, quilting, and of course, writing. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest for more.

Posted 1 month ago Blogging

An Advocate for Decency

#GeoffreyOwens

Hopefully, you’ve had a great Labor Day weekend if you’re here in the United States! It seems apropos to talk about the value of hard work and the necessity of maintaining work ethics by talking about the obvious attempt to shame a man for actually working hard to earn a living for his family and himself. Apparently, some news outlets (which I will not name here, but they are posted within this article) actually ran an article that showed Geoffrey Owens, an actor who – practically a lifetime ago – was a minor recurring character on The Cosby Show. Apparently, he currently works as a cashier at a Trader Joe’s grocery store. The intention of the article was not to inform, but to publicly shame and humiliate a man who is simply making an honest living.

I have a HUGE problem with this. My blog topics may be somewhat sporadic, but my ultimate goal is to focus on the basic necessities for nurturing the human spirit – happiness, love, and light. It’s a shame that I have to add DECENCY to this list of basics. What in the world would posses a person to take a photo of someone hard at work – and then distribute it to news media outlets? What kind of “news” outlet picks this story up, and gives such a negative spin to what is ultimately a wonderful example for young men and women EVERYWHERE?

There is NO shame in working to make an honest living. Period.

an-advocate-for-decency — Actor Geoffrey Owens

NEVER Be Ashamed of the Work You Do

Fortunately, once the story had gained enough traction, many actors and other celebrities were quick to jump on Twitter to defend Mr. Owens. They shared stories of their own struggles to make ends meet, and the fact that Geoffrey Owens is a working actor with a day job. Because of this – and only because of this outpouring of support and candidness from his peers, did the media’s negative narrative finally make a positive spin on this “story”.

For those of us who are in the Creative or Performing Arts, a vast majority of us understand exactly what it means to have (or need) a day job: It means that you are true to yourself and your craft by working in that field as much as you can afford, and you also work a “day job”, something that your heart is less committed to than your craft, in order to pay the bills.

The fact that the abhorrent person who took this man’s picture without his consent disturbs me to no end. I don’t wish to include my picture on social media because I believe in the right to privacy. My students and clients are not specifically invited to this little corner of my world. Will this always be the case? Of course not. As I devote more time to this job, circumstances will change to a point where a face needs to appear with a name. Until that point, however, I hope to have a choice as to what picture defines who “I” am. This man was robbed of his right to privacy, his right to anonymously do the honorable thing of pushing pride aside and working a non-glamourous job for a steady paycheck. Shame on that person who tried to dishonor a fellow human being.

How Glamorous is Your Life?

Seriously, I am so livid about this. This kind of “above/below your station” mentality is exactly the reason why I am so committed to the Arts. It’s also the reason why I earned my Ph.D. in an unrelated field. I love to cross paths and connect dots. It takes credibility in this world to convince others of what may seem obvious to you, and that was the path I was led to take. The only way that we can remind each other of the beauty and simplicity of EVERY DAY LIFE is if we are taught to see ourselves in the every day lives of others, regardless of race, gender, culture, self-identification, or creed. If only we can retain those lessons!

What glamorous life are you truly living? Doing our best to lead one of Grace and kindness is so much more appealing.

Sending Love, Light, and a sense of Decency to all of you.

What’s the Rush?

Write About Now

Focus

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Two lovers in the rain

have no need of an umbrella.

~Japanese Proverb

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Where The Good Men Are

What Makes A Man A “Good” One?

1. He’s Honest.

2. He Works Hard.

3. He Would Never Harm.

4. He Cares.

All Sides of the Coin

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Come Celebrate with Me!

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Tag der deutschen Einheit

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Ali & Nick (Part 2)

Nick

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“When I give, I give myself.”

-Walt Whitman

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Fall in Love With Fall

Do Something with Pumpkins.

Cozy Up and Snuggle In

Grab a Great Book and Hunker Down

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“Morning without you is a

dwindled dawn.”

-Emily Dickinson

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This Doesn’t Count As Quilting, But…

I love These Pillow Cases!

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“Love, whether newly born, or aroused from a death-like slumber, must always create sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world.”

– Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Romance ALWAYS Has a Happy Ending

Romance is is Predictably Unpredictable

Romance Has a Place for EVERYONE

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“True love stories never have endings.”

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#GeoffreyOwens

There is NO shame in working to make an honest living. Period.

NEVER Be Ashamed of the Work You Do

How Glamorous is Your Life?

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