FUN

101 Sexy & Fun Love Notes – FREE eBook (until 2/15/15)!

On the occasion of Valentine’s Day 2015 and the launch of a new ebook series:
The Rebel Housewife: Survival Guides (Surviving Happily Ever After!) with
101 Sexy & Fun Love Notes:
Romantic Tips & Tricks to FIRE UP the Passion & Romance in Your Relationship!

* * * Available FREE on Amazon Kindle, beginning Tue, Feb 10th – Sat, Feb 14th * * *

Well, with all THAT going on, it has given me pause to reflect on love and romance and relationships… and marriage. It seems incredible and weird and unbelievable that I can say: Prince Charming and I have been married for TWENTY-SIX years — wow — and still going strong!

Yes, we started off very, very young: I was just 20 and he was 22. It doesn’t even seem like that could be possible, then or now — we’re still way too young to be married that long, unruly silver hair (mine) and the accumulation of love and good food (about 20lbs for both of us), notwithstanding.

I have been married now for longer than I was not.

In the beginning, I was the Other Girl and he was the Wrong Boy — according to my mother, anyway. I liked the motorcycle and his ‘Bohemian’ lifestyle (living on ramen and mac & cheese on his buddies’ laundry porch — one guy lived on the pool table). We quickly disentangled ourselves from other relationships in the face of destiny and enjoyed our very own Summer of Love after my high school graduation in 1985. I was very young, at 17, and it took me a year or two to settle down and commit to monogamy long-term, with enough first-year-college experience and variety to know he was The One. I never expected it to happen so early, but we both just knew (and we were right!).

We married on August 6, 1988, in a garden courtyard on a threatening-to-be-rainy day at our beloved Manor Farm Inn in Poulsbo, Washington, and the Adventure(s) began…

More than a quarter-century and three nearly-grown children later, it still seems so new, to my constant amazement. We still love each other, more every day, and we still like each other, too. I keep thinking, twenty-five-plus years into this, I should have some wisdom, the benefit of happily-ever-after experience, advice to share; besides, you know, marry young and basically Imprint on each other.

People ask us the secret to a long and happy relationship?

For us, it’s all about new Adventures and the appreciation of Magical Moments; to create a life in which there are many of each. It keeps us together, always wondering (in a good way): What’s next?!

As for advice, back to basics, the foundation:
The Rebel Housewife: Survival Guides (Surviving Happily Ever After!)
101 Sexy & Fun Love Notes:
Romantic Tips & Tricks to FIRE UP the Passion & Romance in Your Relationship.

* * * Available FREE on Amazon Kindle, beginning Tue, Feb 10th – Sat, Feb 14th * * *

“The 101 Love Notes in this ebook are ‘quickie’ ideas — fun, easy, realistic, and, in most cases, FREE!!! — a starting place to spark your sexy, tickle your imagination and creativity, rev up your sense of fun and adventure, and help you develop, with your lover, a lifestyle of romance and passion.”

Whether you’ve been together two years, or twenty, or just starting out, 101 Sexy & Fun Love Notes has something for everyone.

Please take advantage of the Valentine’s Day Launch Promotion and download the ebook FREE on Amazon Kindle, February 10th – 14th. (If you don’t have a Kindle, you can download a FREE Kindle Reader App for your computer, tablet, or smartphone on Amazon — a link to do that is at the top of the 101 Sexy & Fun Love Notes page on Amazon.)

Read, enjoy, have fun — freely share this article, or the Facebook posts and Tweets that will be coming out over the next few days, for Valentine’s Day — and, if you would, please take the time to rate the ebook and write a little review on Amazon.com. That would be AWESOME.

Live, Love, Laugh & LIGHT IT UP — HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!


For more fun & behind-the-scenes, connect with The Rebel Housewife on Social Media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheRebelHousewife
Twitter: @rebelupdate

Reality TV – Casting Call: MONSTER IN-LAWS

While this would not apply to me, Sherri Caldwell, happily-ever-after daughter-in-law of Ralph & Judi (kiss-kiss!), I have been asked to share what could be a rather…um…unique opportunity for..reality television fame (infamy?)…Check it out:

Hi Sherri,

My name is Lindsay, and I am an associate producer for Leftfield Pictures, the television production company behind History Channel’s Pawn Stars, Bravo’s Fashion Hunters, and A&E’s Monster In Laws.

We are currently casting for the second season of Monster In Laws, a program that looks to repair broken relationships with in-laws that don’t see eye to eye. I would love to reach out to moms everywhere who may be struggling with in-law issues…

————————————————–

“MONSTER IN-LAWS” on A&E Is Now Casting Nationwide

“A ground-breaking new series that explores the complex relationships between married couples and their in-laws.”

Are you struggling to maintain a relationship with an out-of-control in-law?

Is a cultural or background divide challenging your relationship?

Does the statement, “When mom/dad says no, ask grandma/grandpa” ring true in your family?

Does your mother or father-in-law still baby your husband/wife, challenge your parenting style or openly disrespect you?

If you’re desperate to repair your relationship with an in-law before it’s too late, we want to hear from you! Families who appear on the show will have the opportunity to work with a professional relationship expert who will help them to identify their issues and repair their relationships. Families who appear on the show will receive a financial honorarium as a “thank you” for their time and commitment to the show. In addition, we offer a finder’s fee for anyone who nominates a family that appears on the show.

[Note: The Rebel Housewife has not nominated anyone and has not/will not receive consideration of any kind for posting this or from the link below. This was too good not to share!]

[Also Note: However, if any one of you end up being on this show, I better be the first to know and to interview you about it!! GOOD LUCK, REBELS!]

To apply, please fill out a brief casting questionnaire:
http://www.leftfieldpictures.com/in-laws-casting/

—
Lindsay Goyette
Associate Producer
Leftfield Pictures
212-564-2607, ext. 2399
518-522-2304 cell
212-967-7573 fax
lindsay.goyette@leftfieldpictures.com

www.facebook.com/TheRebelHousewife

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas…

…or is it?!

I’m trying, I really am — and this will not be one of those whining, complaining blog posts about how hard the Holidays are on Mom; how there’s never enough time or money or magic; how everybody’s either looking for donations, cash, checks, party contributions or time on your oh-so-limited calendar…

No, let’s not go there.

The Holidays can be, and usually are, stressful, but there’s also an awful lot of good stuff. I can come up with 10 Things to Be Excited About, I know I can:

  1. The Magic kids still believe in: My older kids, now almost-15 and 12, want to force a confession about Santa, in no small part to “educate” their younger 9-year-old brother. I keep the discussion limited: “If you don’t believe in the Magic, the Magic won’t believe in you…and THE MAGIC can’t leave you a really great gift under the tree or a stocking full of goodies!” (It works!)
  2. Christmas Lists! If my children do no other creative writing all year, I can count on them for something truly entertaining and wonderful on the “Come-on Santa, Bring It All and Make My Miserable Life Complete Request List.” Want to see an example? 9yo Boy’s Wish List
  3. The Giving: Not so much the shopping, but the thinking, the planning, the scheming to surprise and delight, the giving is wonderful, especially when you find Just The Right Thing, big or small, for someone special.
  4. Gingerbread Cookies! An annual tradition in the Rebel Household, we make armies and armies of decorated Gingerbread Men for holiday parties, school friends, teacher gifts and neighbors…
  5. Cold Weather & Snuggling
  6. Winter Break – sleeping in and NO HOMEWORK!
  7. Christmas Cards – love to receive, even the letters.
  8. Decorations & Light Displays – another annual tradition, the Christmas Drive-Around to see all the lights and displays. We drive far and wide, to professional displays (around Atlanta: Stone Mountain, Lake Lanier Islands, Calloway Gardens) and to see everything at homes & businesses in-between. With a Thermos of hot chocolate, a to go box of gingerbread men and holiday music on the car stereo (now XM Radio Channel #23 – Holly) and we are set for several evenings of family entertainment.
  9. Christmas Music – all of it, from classical to elevator renditions to The Chipmunks!
  10. Christmas Classics – TV Shows & Books

That’s it. It’s nice to keep it simple. Of course, there is Christmas Morning and the children’s delight (hopefully) over their holiday haul; visiting friends & family and oh, yes, the holiday eating…

It is beginning to look — and feel — a lot like Christmas…
I’m on it!

Sex.y Hot Mamas – yes, I mean YOU!

I have been working on a really fun – FUN! – project today, prepping a weekly Romance newsletter for us Sexy Hot Mamas (and the Mens, too – can’t call you Papas, because, well…just not appropriate this week, with Mackenzie Phillips in the news)(ewww).

Happily married for 20+ years, I’m the first to admit there is always room for a new idea: something different, fun, exciting, etc. I’m all about learning new tricks!

I’m having a great time just going through the edit process here…check it out:

Myrtle Beach Family Vacation on Twitter

We had a great time on our quickie Family Vacation to Myrtle Beach – for close to less than $1000, family of five. Of course, we stayed in a very “retro” motel with kitchenette; only three nights (that’s all we thought we could handle – we were right!); packed most of our food: breakfasts, lunches and snacks; and, since we didn’t find great food and dining options until the last night of our adventure (unwilling to stray too far from the beach/water park), we only had one nice meal out at a restaurant (not counting Burger King)!

We’ve lived 15 years in Atlanta, but this was our first trip to the South Carolina beach resort of legend. It was FUN, if a bit overwhelming: our favorite beach is still nice, quiet, remote Navarre Beach in northwest Florida, and Pensacola Beach for a big night out at Flounders. Of course, we ventured to Myrtle Beach for the anti-quiet family fun & activity: the resort water park, with water slide and lazy river; the dozen pools on-site; beachfront ‘luxury’; world-class miniature golf; and, at the Sea Mist Resort, free passes to nearby Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Family Kingdom Water Park. We packed a ton of fun into 3 nights/4 days:

Saturday, July 11th:
1) On our way 2 Myrtle Beach in the family truckster…so far, so good. Remains 2B seen if possible 14yo Puberty Angst Boy to have fun w/family
2) Gorgeous day to be on a Road Trip!
1:17 PM Jul 11th from Twitterrific:
3) Picnic lunch at I20 rest area, SC Welcome Center. Caged monkeys getting restless & bickery – good food & stretch help (esp me). Near 1/2way.
4) En route to Myrtle Beach from Atlanta – Darlington?! Off the right track to detour, #NASCAR obsessed: Rebel@Darlington
4:34 PM Jul 11th from Twitterrific
5) We are so far off designated route, no idea where we are…ah, to be lost in SC…oh, I20 just ends, apparently…Jeep GPS so bad, TG iPhone

6) Arrived Myrtle Beach: wow. Still settling in, waiting for pizza delivery while everyone else down at pool – 10pm. Beach is beautiful at nite
7) Night beach tip: neon glow bracelets(Target) keep track of your kids.
Also fun:anything that glows/flashes to throw in & comes back in surf!
8) Arrived 7pm – already: arcade, comp drink 4 mom&dad, resort grocery, mini golf/waterpark (2mrw), beach & pool…starving, waiting 4 pizza!

Sunday, July 12th:
End of very long day, but fun. 3 kids buzzin@midnite, 2 tired parents. Resort water park-awesome; beach-also; old school amusement park;-)

Monday, July 13th:
Last night in Myrtle Beach: afternoon thundershowers – big Hibachi dinner @ Kono Asian Grill. Big-time mini golf tourney @ pirate joint!

Tuesday, July 14th:
1) Myrtle Beach to home: Atlanta. 4hrs to go, I can hardly wait! Miss my bed, condo, Piedmont Park & Mocha the Dog (her dog-vacation@Dogaroo).
2) Of course, hubby & I are exhausted from vacation w/kids – broke, too! Good time had by all…no place like home, no place like home!!
4:26 PM Jul 14th from Twitterrific:
3) Home again, home again, jiggity jig! I will never go on another family vacation w/ 14yo,12yo&9yo again! (I always say that.) Unpack begins.
4) We did not bring home any beach creatures (learned that lesson long ago!) – empty shells only. We did have that tantrum though – required?!

Camp Mommy 2009 – Week 6 on Twitter

Tuesday:
1) Trying not to Tweet in a bad mood. It will be better soon – almost lunch!

2) You know those days when evrythng is cool: lights all green, no traffic, everyone is
nice? Today is NOT that day! But getting better: home.

Wednesday:
1) Stunned Atlanta Wal-Mart no longer carries old school sewing supplies – need basics for a project (random4me, I know!), now where to?!
2) Making a bunk bed tent out of old curtains – have to cut off & hem…there’s an iron-on kind of hem tape for that, right? No sewing machine!

3) Atlanta Book Lovers: DBF hosting BOOK CLUB BASH: Thurs, July 16th. @DBookFestival www.decaturbookfestival.com

4) @MyMyrtleBeach Reservation made for SeaMist July 11-14. Challenge: How much fun? Atlanta Family of 5 – Vacation <$1000. Suggestions? CUsoon!
Reply from @MyMyrtleBeach: Check this out for free options and things to do for less than $25 in Myrtle Beach area: www.visitmyrtlebeach.com.

Thursday:
Atlanta: Researching best family river tubing within 2hr drive – suggestions?
Going tomorrow! Thanks

Friday:
1) On our way to www.coolrivertubing.com – Helen, GA for day of picnic, river tubing & (primitive) water slides OTP country – rare event.
2) Of course, due to lack of enthusiasm 14yo son (destination surprise to kids – it’s an Adventure!), already threatened to TurnThisCarAround!

7:38 PM Jul 3rd from Twitterrific
3) Such a great time on the river tubing & watersliding in Helen, GA – perfect day, family of five $60&gas. Even 14yo had fun, 12yo & 9yo, too!

Saturday, July 4th:
1) Happy 4th of July! Happy Bday to our now 9yo ADHD Phenom!! Perfect day for celebration: country, family & Daytona Firecracker 400 – go #20!

2) Re-reading THE AGONY & THE AGONY: Raising Your Teenager Without Losing Your Mind by Betty Londergan for Rebel Review. Is v. helpful…

3) Sometimes it helps 2 know, maybe I am not the Worst.Mom.Ever: Arizona woman accused of leading sons on crime spree: USA Today.