Who SAID, you had to grow up?

Honestly, I don't think I've ever really grown up. Sometimes I look around my surroundings with my view of the world and the people in it and think, "Oh yeah...I'm not a kid anymore." I don't feel all my 42 years. I've never realized that I'm not cool these days because I was never cool in the first place. I'm really okay with that.

Sure, there were changes. I cut my nearly waist-long hair years ago, because it wasn't flattering anymore and made me look older. I stopped wearing Motorhead and Megadeth T-shirts because quite frankly I felt stupid in them. Like I was trying too hard.

So I changed my style a bit, but it's still my own. I've traded my naturally blonde hair for a choppy red and black haircut. I hate pants and socks, so I've traded them in for ankle-length skirts and sandals or flats. I still wear gobs of jewelry, plum lipstick and I spike my hair OUT instead of UP. But this blog isn't about my fashion preferences.

It's about finding ways to be playful, to hang on to a piece of childhood and youth. And why not? It's fun to let go sometimes, and forget you're too old for stuff. Who said you have to be an adult EVERY day?

How many of these things do you do, just for fun?

1. Stay in your pajamas all day and watch cartoons?                
2. Eat ice cream for breakfast?
3. Swing on the swings at midnight?                                        
4. Jump through the sprinkler?
5. Paintball? Laser Tag?  Snowball fight?  Pillow fight?            
6. Roast marshmallows on the stove?
7. Build a fort from couch cushions or a box from a new appliance?
8. Take a nice cool dip in the same tub you're keeping all the beer in?
9. Kahlua milkshakes or Bartender's Rootbeer floats?
10. Girl's night in pajamas with manicures, pedicures and a marathon of horror movies? And don't forget the Henna tattoos! (Available at Michael's)

One of my favorite Valentine's days was when I pulled the artificial Christmas tree out of storage and put fresh flowers and plants around a comforter on the floor. Then I served a picnic in the living room with fried chicken, potato salad and soup in a thermos. Winter raged outside, but we had a nice dinner. I wish we'd had a fireplace. S'mores would have made a nice dessert.

What's gotten into me today you ask? I just finished a really great book every woman should read.

This is a hug and a pep talk from a good friend. This is a reminder that you are beautiful and talented, and above all, special. It's a funny romp, and a pajama party.Trust me, and read this book.

Is there stuff you like to do to stay a little child-like? I'd love to read about it in the comments!

Best. Wedding. Ever.

Jeremy and Rebecca Reid

What happens when two creative and playful people meet as Zombiewalkers and fall in love? They have the most amazing Zombie Wedding never seen before, and I just GOTTA share it with you. It felt like the day wouldn't get here, but when it did, all Hell broke loose.

It was my first time as a zombie. I gleefully tore up some of my clothes and bought four tubes of fake blood. I must say it was very liberating to wake up with bedhead, plaster my skull with tons of hairspray and call my hairdo done. That was another 40 minutes I could fret over my makeup. My husband chose to be a zombie hunter, and had his outfit done in minutes.

Me and the Troll

If I had any doubts about our costumes, they disappeared the moment we arrived. There is no right or wrong way to dress as a zombie or zombie hunter. Especially when you're surrounded by cool people who just want to have fun with it.

The ceremony's first unique twist came when Jeremy's groomsmen wheeled him to the altar in a black casket. The dapper dead man crawled from his coffin and took his place next to the creepy clergyman while a cloaked figure lit all the candles.

Jeremy isn't a morning person...

Then the speakers blared with 'Living Dead Girl' by Rob Zombie, and minions shuffled in, led by a ring bearer in a white top hat and an insane flower girl who tossed flower petals as though she wanted to kill everyone with them. The undead took positions alongside the aisle, allowing the bridesmaids to lurch by.

Then came the bride, who managed to look beautiful and ghastly at the same time. At first glance, you would think her gown had a pink tinge to it. Upon closer inspection, you would see that the color comes from a fine mist of blood droplets. Isn't it freakishly lovely? Well done!

You are looking delightfully pale, Rebecca

My favorite part was when they asked if anyone 'objected' to the union. Sure enough, some unfortunate jumped up and started yelling about how HE should be marrying the bride. The bridal party descended upon him, spraying his blood and ripping off his arm. They stepped back into place, leaving the corpse in the aisle. A groomsman chewed contentedly on the appendage for the remainder of the ceremony. The victim didn't move again until the end, when he 're-animated' and led the procession out. He made a great MC for a newly dead guy.

Guess they couldn't wait for dinner.

While the wedding party left to take pictures, a bunch of us helped set up for dinner. Everybody chipped in to set up tables, chairs, settings, centerpieces, wine and food. It's not work when everyone's having a good time doing it.

Did I mention it was potluck? There was chicken, ribs, meatballs, buns and bannock, salads, and desserts. I piled my plate, but still didn't try everything. And I MUST talk about the cake!

Chocolate dirt, gumball eyeballs and a skeleton bride and groom

 The three tiers were covered with a sort of Frankenstein skin of the best fondant I've ever tasted. I hate fondant, but I ate every bite of it. I asked the creator, Amy Mancor, how she actually managed to make fondant so edible, she told me she makes her own....Of course she does. Why should I be surprised? She is, after all, the owner/operator of  'Wicked Sweets' and has her own blog at ...amymancorscakes@tumblr or you can email at amymancorscakes@gmail.com. 

As always, the first dance was sweet, but it wouldn't be zombie without 'Thriller' would it? Wanna see it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEkbeNDMY_k&feature=share

And let's not forget the entertainment: Banshee, Charlie Vegas, and Delilah LeDouche did beautiful burlesque dances. I'd show you photos, but I forgot to ask permission from any of the girls to post their nearly naked bodies on my blog...Sorry! But if you're interested, I think all three of them have fan pages on Facebook.

The rest of the night was dedicated to hanging out with old friends and new, everyone comfortable in their own decaying skin. Have you ever had the rare experience where EVERYTHING was great, and nothing went badly? Where every person you met was pretty damn cool? This was the whole package.

Days later we're all Facebook friending each other, posting pics and tagging. We'll be talking about this for weeks. Thank you Rebecca and Jeremy. That really was the Best Wedding Ever.

'Rebecemy' and 'Danna'

Night Out

So I went out last night. DON'T JUDGE ME! Even a writer has to have some sort of social life...Really.

I have a thousand things to do. And today I ACTUALLY got up early to get them done.

I did all the dishes and laundry, answered my email, posted to my "Author Page", and washed half of my kitchen walls--which included garbage can, oven and blinds. Icky things, since I like to entertain whenever possible.

I didn't write anything today...yet. But I thought I deserved to go out.

I always feel guilty when I do. As if  EVERYTHING must be about either writing or...sigh...marketing. And the irony of me blogging about my night out isn't lost on me. And I give in at least once a week. Pppplllltttt!

THIS is another reason to go out. Not only does one make new friends, but one learns new ideas.

A friend suggested I friend her Mom's page...been a writer for decades...marketing herself for almost as long as I've been alive. Thank you, Rebecca.

Another suggested Vista, for all my swag ideas for cheap. Thanks Nora!

Yet another acquaintance wondered why I hadn't promoted my OWN work on my OWN author page for my upcoming novel. Duh...Why didn't I think of that? Thanks, Daniel!

Because, according to another person, I'm "Too close too see it."  to paraphrase him...Caught up on making my presence known, I'd forgotten that. Good point. Oops. Thanks, Marshall.

So I have a lot of work to do. My bookmarks might be done by someone else.. And I'll be posted quotes and paragraphs  for 'Aphrodite's War' on my author page. Checking out new ways to make myself known.

Glad I went out after all. It was a  great learning experience. Winky face out.