Find Out Friday!

What do you want to be doing in five years?

In five years, I plan on being a mother, a published writer (at least a short story), and I hope to have a NEW car! (:

When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?

I will write, read, or get online and peruse websites & blogs! I also tend to roleplay online as well! (:

Why were you given your particular name?

I was named after a character in the Thorn Birds movie!

Maggie Shayne Book Giveaway!

Maggie Shayne is the author of more than forty novels! Her stories range from witches, vampires, psychics and ghosts, to bone chilling, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense and beyond. The genres she has mastered include women’s fiction, category romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal fiction.

Maggie has honed her lyrical prose and made a name for herself on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon.com, B.Dalton, Booksense, Ingram’s, Barnes and Noble, and Waldenbooks (where she reached #1) bestseller lists.

Maggie is the winner of numerous awards, including two Romantic Times Bookclub Career Achievement Awards, the National Readers Choice Award, and the coveted RITA Award, for which she was nominated twelve times before finally winning.

She has also written for CBS daytime dramas, Guiding Light and As the World Turns.

She also has a brand new trilogy out this summer called The Secrets of Shadow Falls. The books are each set in the rural, fictional town of Shadow Falls, Vermont, where nothing and no one are what they seem. They’ve been receiving some wonderful reviews, and the reader feedback has been nothing but positive. Book two features my own giant English Mastiff, Dozer, in the role of “Freddy,” the heroine’s sidekick.

Release Dates:

Book 1, KILLING ME SOFTLY on sale June 28th, 2010

Book 2, KILL ME AGAIN on sale July 29th, 2010

Book 3, KISS ME, KILL ME on sale August 30th, 2010

Moving on to the Contest Details! Are you excited yet? You should be!

We have TWO prize packs and other bookmarks to give away! They include the Maggie Shayne novel Killing Me Softly in paperback, and two signed bookmarks.

Head over to Book Mosaic to Enter!

DEADLINE: This contest will run until Midnight (EST) on Saturday, August 7th!

Be Kind Campaign!

We've all done it, maybe even today.

Either to her face, or behind her back, maybe she's the woman you saw on the bus ride into work this morning, or you saw her on a commercial on TV or maybe in an ad in a magazine, or she was the girl you sat next to all semester in that one class.

We've all been cruel to other women, either verbally or physically or perhaps just with a catty thought, we've torn each other down because we felt insecure or inferior or that undefinable less than, we've done it because we've been taught to view other women as a Threat instead of a Sister, to see relationships as competitions instead of camaraderie. We've done it because it was done to us.

But this is our opportunity to change, this is Our Chance to begin again, to build our Sisters up, to lift them up, to care for them, even if they're strangers. To say a Kind word to them instead of something hurtful, to start the healing process.

This is the mission of the Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud, who created the Kind Campaign.

In their words:

We all want to be liked. It’s already hard enough to accept ourselves for who we are, let alone accept the perceptions and judgments that other girls have of us. Over the years, the vicious ways in which females treat each other have become societal norms. With various media outlets that mock and even glamorize the issue, it seems that society has simply concluded, "That's the way girls are."

We disagree, because we believe that there is goodness within all females, even if that goodness has been shoved aside by the pressures society has placed upon us. What we fail to realize and choose to ignore is the fact that these experiences very often lead to depression, anxiety, loss of self worth, eating disorders, drug abuse, alcoholism, attempted suicide and actual suicide in millions of girls lives.

Smile at her. Say hello. Hold the door open her as she's carrying bags or children or thoughts of the day. Pick up the book that she accidentally drops. If you like her shoes, compliment them. If she misses a class, offer her your notes. Make sure she's ok. Offer her the seat next to you.

You don't have to be best friends, but it's effortless to be kind.

Begin again today.
Be kind.

My Celebrity Doppleganger!

A doppleganger is referred to mean any double or look alike of a person. In this case - there are three celebs that I have been told that I look like. I was wondering what you think!? Which one is the closest? (: Comment to tell me your thoughts!

Emily Deschanel, Tina Fey, or Eliza Dushku?

Movie Review!

Chloe: This movie was VERY disturbing, and it was weird to see Amanda Seyfried in such a seductive role! The basic plot of this movie is that the wife (Julianne Moore) thinks her husband (Liam Neeson) is cheating on her. She hires Chloe (Amanda Seyfried) to seduce him... the story gets much deeper and twists and turns until you find out that Chloe is in this to seduce the wife, not the husband.

I would not suggest anyone under the age of 18 to see this movie because of the naughty nature and the nudity and sex scenes! It's very ADULT and LEWD and I didn't think it would be as seductive as it was. That took my by surprise. It's not a bad conspiracy movie, but they could have done without all the nudity in it - and sex scenes. The plot was interesting and it was one of those movies that I NEVER would have been able to predict the end of just by watching the first 20 minutes.

The movie's tagline is "If the one you love was lying to you, how far would you go to find out the truth? " I don't think I would go as far as this wife did, that's for sure!

Wordless Wednesday!

MTV: ‘Pretty Little Liars’ Star Ashley Benson And Chad Michael Murray Cast In New ABC Family Movie

Chad Michael Murray back on TV? It’s true! Sadly, it’s not on “One Tree Hill,” but we’ll take what we can get. CMM will join “Pretty Little Liars” star Ashley Benson and pop star/actress Christina Milian in the ABC Family original movie “Ex-Mas Carol.”

According to Just Jared Jr., the movie follows a gorgeous public relations maven who is immersed in her work, but gets a wake-up call after one of her clients falls into a coma and becomes a “Christmas Carol”-like ghost of Christmas past, present, and future, making her realize the error of her ways and reuniting with an angry ex-boyfriend. Essentially, it sounds like “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” mixed a little more closely with the original Charles Dickens source material, with a lady in the lead.

via ‘Pretty Little Liars’ Star Ashley Benson And Chad Michael Murray Cast In New ABC Family Movie » Hollywood Crush.

Double Rainbow Time!

For those of you who have not seen or heard of the "Double Rainbow" - please go right now and watch it! I have provided the link! I will wait until you get back.... (:

Did you watch it? How funny is that?

Anyways, yesterday on Cake Wrecks, the Double Rainbow was featured and I wanted to share it here! Enjoy!

Now, go and listen to the auto-tuned double rainbow song! It's totally worth it, but if kids are near, make sure your volume isn't too loud!

Coupons for the Troops!

It’s almost the end of the month and that means we have a ton of expired coupons to get rid of.

Don’t worry about having expired coupons, it means you played the game right. You didn’t run out and grab something that wasn’t on sale. You waited and the sale didn’t come, but we’ll see those coupons again. In the mean time it’s time to send your coupons onto a better place…

Send them to those who sacrifice for us everyday: our troops around the world. The military and their families are able to use manufacturer coupons up to 6 months after their expiration dates at their Commissaries if they are stationed abroad. There are a lot of bases that can use these coupons.

How do you get started:
Honestly the easiest way for you to get started is to pick a base. Then check out their mailing hints and tips. You send these straight to the base you pick in a priority mail envelope (you don’t have to pay overseas shipping!).

Note: This site has a great list and tips but you don’t really need to inform them that you are adopting a base or tally anything and send it in. The more work you put on yourself the least likely you are going to stick with it. Just shove them in an envelope and head to the post office!!

What are you waiting for::
Grab all your coupons that are expiring 7/30 then round up a few friends and send them over. This is a great thing to do once a month. Have coffee together, chat and package coupons!

If in the past you were mailing your coupons straight to me, I have to kindly ask that you now start to send them yourself. Things got a little out of hand and I don’t really have time to process all of this :)

Pick a Base here: http://www.ocpnet.org/Base%20List/BaseList1.htm
Mailing Hints here: http://www.ocpnet.org/Hints/hints1.htm

I'm excited about the new wellness programs @ work!

Today we had a meeting at work to talk about the new Wellness Program that they are going to put into place. They are going to do a company wide health evaluation and every can voluntarily participate! (: They will check height/weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose... for FREE!

Again, this is just another reason why I do love the company that I work for! They strive to help us get better/healthier every day. They have someone who sells produce come weekly to sell to us here and they have a 9am stretch break! How cool is that? I company that wants to help you be a healthier version of you! This helps give me the extra motivation I need to get moving and walking again and to keep myself up to some more healthy eating habits too! (:

Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them.

This weekend was GREAT! I had a nice time with family!

On Friday night, my nephew (who is just a year younger then me) came to town with his girlfriend. They stayed that night before getting up to continue their journey to Hilton Head Island, SC. This was the first member of that end of Wesley's family that I have met, but we got along great and his girlfriend is a sweetheart! I enjoyed getting to know them and I can't wait for them to pass through again this week and spend a few days! I hope to get to know them a little more. Oh, and they loved my Larson! (:

We went to dinner with them, and Ray & Gail Friday night. We went out to Fayetteville, to Broadway Diner. We had a good dinner, lots of fun talking and free dessert! (Ray & Gail know the owner and manager!) After dinner, we went home and hung out at the house before we all went to bed!

Wes & Johnny, his nephew

On Saturday morning, I got up and went to the Worthan's house to help Marlena get food and decor ready for Cullen's first birthday party! We spent most of the day over there - eating, swimming and hanging out with friends. That night, I watched Shutter Island with Marlena and we had a good girls' night!

Yesterday was a LAZY day. I spent most of it sleeping because I woke up with a HUGE migraine! ): But that afternoon I got my grocery shopping done and even invited my Mom and Dad for dinner at The Lighthouse in Milner. They had a good time and we had some yummy popcorn shrimp & hushpuppies! After they left, Wesley and I settled into the couch to watch some Bones on the XBOX and then we read some Sookie Stackhouse (finishing book two) and went to bed!

This week should go by pretty quick - we are supposed to go see my grandparent's next weekend but I'm not sure those plans will work out! But we are going to be watching True Blood on HBO tonight, I have some other tv shows to catch up on and tomorrow Marlena and I are going to go to this wholesale place to get some groceries that are really marked down because cans are dented and things like that! I hope to get some good things CHEAP!

The Marlyne family is back in town, so I look forward to being able to spend sometime with them this week as well! I have missed my babies and my sister (and Gabe). Anyways - lots of other things in the works too! Nathan's birthday, Wesley's birthday, Erica's Lingerie Shower, and more! (:

Find Out Friday!

What is your favorite thing to do? One of my most favorite things to do is travel. I love seeing new places, doing new things. (Although I hate trying new foods!) There are so many places all over this great country, and even in other countries that I want to see and visit! Some examples: NYC City - I want to se a show on Broadway; California - I want to put my toes in the Pacific Ocean; New Orleans - I want to see Bourbon Street and the re-building of a city since Hurricane Katrina; Arizona - I want to see the desert. Those are only a few!



What is your favorite book? I have a lot of favorite books - I think the most classes favorite I have is 'Pride & Prejudice' by Jane Austen. Although I am a fan of 'Twilight' and the 'Sookie Stackhouse' books, lately I have been more into the Fern Michael's 'Sisterhood Series'. They are about a vigilante group, going all over the world and doing imaginative things to get justice for themselves and their loved ones when the US Justice system failed them. I recommend it to all people who believe in Women's Rights!

What is your favorite candy bar? Currently, my favorite candy bar is the Hershey's Cookies & Cream. I am stuck on white chocolate!



What is your favorite color? Oddly enough, it's pink. I have never truly been a real 'girly-girl', but in the past few years I have embraced my 'girliness' and have decided that pink is the color for me, right now in this stage of life!



What is your favorite kind of music? Typically I choose music based on my mood. If I'm in a sad mood, I'm listening to something slow, and probably instrumental. If I'm in a really good mood, it's something upbeat and loud! Some of my favorite artists at the moment are: Unknown Hinson, Taylor Swift, Fall out Boy, Straight No Chaser, and Johann Sebastian Bach!

I did it! I took the plunge!

I finally sent in a story for a Short Story Competition! (: I don't think anything will come of it - but it's my first time and I'm hoping to have some luck! They get over 40,000 entries each time anyone can submit... so I'm probably low on the totem pole! The best part is how proud I feel about myself right now! I took something from my mind, put it on paper, and sent it into let a literary magazine editor read it, and maybe pick & publish it! Who knows what the future will bring, but I hope that eventually, as long as I keep writing, that something WILL come of it! (:

For those of you who want to read what I submitted, here it is!

Emotional Discomfort

“Name’s Abby” is what I say to my customer’s at the diner - there is no reason to tell them more than that. The required uniform is a pastel pink polo that reads Dine & Dash on it accompanied by a black poodle skirt. You know the ones – they have dogs on leashes on them, circa 1950. I look like a waitress and I probably smell like a waitress; so they know I will be taking their order.

Most of the customers here are tourists anyways; passing through on their vacation road trips to Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head Island. These are the people I treat extra nice – mostly because they leave good tips. The regulars tend not to tip. Go figure.

Today was no different than any other day really, just wiping down the diner bar, the smell of hamburger grease stuck in my nostrils. The lunch rush was just finishing up. Marlene yelled at me from the back room, “Got any customers out there?”
Her lazy ass is in the office talking on the phone to her boyfriend while I am stuck working mine off out here, alone. Guess that’s the privilege of owning your own business.

“Nope” I replied, sourly. Being bitter is a common part of my attitude at work. I hate my job, but it helps me pay the bills.

Typically, I’m an outgoing person, really bubbly and usually considered ‘the life of the party’. Here at Dine & Dash – I’m just another cute twenty-three year old girl with a cute butt for all the truckers to stop in and stare at. Fresh meat.

When everything was clean for the night, the clock on the diner wall said ten pm. “Bye guys” I called as I grabbed my messenger bag and purse from under the bar, hung up my apron and walked out the front door. I’ve been on my feet way too long already.

I don’t own a car, and it just so happens I don’t live far from the square at the middle of town. So I usually walk. Not to mention it saves me a ton of money on gas.

Usually my ex-boyfriend meets me at closing time to walk me home. He says it’s for my protection, but I know it’s because he just wanted to spend time with me. That relationship ended a year ago, but I can’t help thinking about him when I pass his apartment in town. I almost married him. Good going, Abigail.

By the time I get home, my feet are aching and I’m ready to crash. I lock the front door behind me, and head up the stairs to run a hot bath. It’s time to relax!
I turned the knob on the tub and heard a “POP” sound and a few other random noises from the pipes in the walls. I look behind the tub and there is water everywhere. I go to the hall and scream, at the top of my lungs, “JAMIE”!! As I re-enter the room, of course, I slip and fall flat on my butt – right into the water. Nice.

Apparently the bathtub in my upstairs bathroom has a leak in the line somewhere and water covered the floor. “I think a pipe busted,” I said to Jamie when he appeared in the doorway. My wet poodle skirt covered butt facing him as I lean over the tub, he nodded at me and said “Yes, Doctor. I think we need to perform surgery.”
I smiled, but then realized I was actually ankle deep in water and shot him a look of desperation. He rolled up his pant legs and took a step in to the bathroom, laughing. I rolled my eyes at him, “Sorry for screaming, but I don’t know how to fix this and I am hoping that you do…” I started to grab towels out of an overhead cabinet to dry the floor as he crawled around the side of my claw foot tub.

“That should turn the water off,” he said as he turned a valve. “As long as there isn’t a lot of water in the pipes, we shouldn’t have anymore flooding. Let’s get this cleaned up and I will get CW over tomorrow to help me fix it.” He smiled at me and grabbed some more towels to help dry the floor.

“Great, thanks” was all I could muster.

CW stands for Chandler Wade. Not only is he the hottest bachelor in town, but he’s also my ex-boyfriend. He manages the Tractor Supply store in town, and has his own Dairy farm. He’s a few years older then me, but I never let that bother me when we were dating. Lucky for me, he is still a best friend to my brother. I was not happy with this sudden turn of events. He’s the last person on earth I want to see right now.

James is my older, but not wiser, brother. He’s a total cowboy, but he’s also a slob. I have to mother him most of the time to pick up after him self. The best thing about him is his protective nature over me, even if it annoys me sometimes. Jamie is a middle school science teacher. On weekends, he likes to ride horses out at a local farm and tends to the stables. It brings in some extra money for the bills… so I try not to complain about the stench he brings home. I rarely see him at all. Ever since Momma and Daddy died, it’s just been the two of us. We both work extra hard to make ends meet.

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

I got up the next morning dreading the thought of seeing Chandler Wade again in my house. This is my house. I know that Jamie would never be able to fix the busted pipe on his own; at least CW has the professional expertise needed to get the job done. I do trust him to do a good job. It’s just a tad weird that he will be here in my house, working in my bathroom, so close to my bedroom. That was where it happened, when he broke up with me. It actually makes me a little anxious thinking about it. He always knew how to make me tense up when he was near. He asked me to marry him.

I don’t have to go in to work until later in the afternoon. There I was, in the kitchen, warming up some frozen waffles for breakfast when I heard the doorbell ring. I listened as Jamie bounded down the stairs, and greeted CW. I put my waffles on a plate and sat down at the table as I heard the boys enter the kitchen.

“Hello Abigail” said Chandler Wade, all proper and charming at the same time. I cringed as I took a bite of waffle and waved slightly with my left hand, since my right was holding a fork. I didn’t look up from my plate and the newspaper sitting in front of me.

I didn’t want to talk to him, or even look at him for that matter. How could I have said no? It didn’t take long for them to leave the kitchen after that. I heard Jamie faintly say, “The busted pipe is in Abby’s bathroom” as they ascended the stairs.
I couldn’t believe he was here, in this house. It had been at least a year since he had been here; since before my parents had been in the car accident that killed them. I felt tears welling in my eyes. There was no way I could deny still having feelings for him.

I can’t be here anymore, I thought to myself. After cleaning up my breakfast dishes, I finished off the milk in the fridge - straight from the jug, and walked out the front door. I had no idea where I was going to go, or what I was going to do. Being in that house with him there felt wrong, on so many levels. I didn’t even remember to grab my purse.

When I returned to the house hours later to get ready for work, CW was on the front steps. Obviously waiting for me.

I wasn’t sure what to think… so I sat down next to him. Not saying a word. I could feel the tension between us, it was anger mixed with passion. All he did was take my hand in his, kissing the back of it.

“I’ve missed you,” he said. Three little words that made my heart melt into a warm liquid.

“I missed you too, “ I replied. I scooted in closer to him, allowing his arm to drape over my shoulders. Then the tears came. He leaned in and kissed me. I knew then that all my problems were solved. He still cared and that was all the comfort I needed.

New: Addison Kitchen Blog

I've decided to link to my newest blog to share all my recipes and things from my kitchen adventures! What works and what doesn't! (: I am excited to use myself and my hubs for these experiments, but I love to cook and to bake and want to share those stories and recipes with all of you!

Here is the link! http://addisonkitchen.blogspot.com/

Enjoy! Feel free to send me recipes as well!

Crunchy Ranch Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. skinless/boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 jar ranch salad dressing
2 cups Pepperidge Farm Herb seasoned stuffing

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Dip chicken into 3/4 cup of dressing and then coat with stuffing and place them all onto a greased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked all the way through.

Suggested sides: mashed potatoes, corn, french fries

Writing: My Novel

I have been working on this short story for some time now and would like to get some feed back. I'm considering making it into a novel. This is the introduction. The first part of the story that I hope generates enough interest for the reader to keep reading. Let me know what you think!

Stirring Up Trouble (Working Title)

Introduction: Small Town Secrets

I’m your typical small town girl. I love small town life – the town square parties, family cookouts and the honky-tonk bars that serve minors. I am not a country music loving cowgirl, who works on a farm to help the family raise money to sustain their lives. I work in a small diner in town, and I tend to date the bad boys who don’t appreciate this town for it’s southern charm.

Life in a small South Carolina town is really just what you would expect. No rush hour traffic, tractors parked in parking places around the square, lots of people walking and shopping, and sometimes you even see folks riding their horses into town to go grocery shopping. The best part about small town living is that no one here has any secrets.

Well, they have them, and try to keep them, but no one ever can. Eventually your dirty laundry will be strewn all over town – and then the stares and the gossiping behind your back begin.

I know so well because this happened to me, not too long ago.

Lately I have been trying to be a little more crafty about things! I want to make things for myself instead of just buying them! I have been reading more and more cooking, craft, and scrapbooking sites/blogs these days! I have some great ideas too!

I wanted to share one that I found today and I'm going to try it as soon as I can get my hands on a square of fabric! (: If I can get it to work, then I will have to do this for friends as well, what a fun and cute way to make a purse! (: I love purses and this could be an inexpensive way to get some cute ones into my collection without spending an arm and a leg to do so!



I got the idea and instructions from a blog called "Little Birdie Secrets" and I will show you my purse as soon as I get one made!

Movie Review!

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Summary: In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.



Comments: This movie was absolutely the most emotional, depressing movie I have seen in a long time. I don't have kids of my own yet, but this movie made me so sad towards babies... and I can't imagine going through the things that Precious had to go through as a child, and as an adult. Joining the alternative school was the best thing that could have happened to her... and I was glad to see that the movie ended with her being more independent and adult than she was before. Have a box of tissues around if you decide to watch this movie, and don't be surprised by the bad language and other abusive experiences.

Who do you write like??

Check out this site to see who you write like...I posted my last live journal entry into the box and this is who I got:

I write like
David Foster Wallace

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

http://iwl.me/s/d7939cdb

I'm wasn't sure who that was... so I googled him!

Apparently, he was an American author of novels, essays, and short stories, and a professor at Pomona College in Claremont, California. He was widely known for his 1996 novel Infinite Jest, which Time included in its All-Time 100 Greatest Novels list (covering the period 1923–2006).

Los Angeles Times book editor David Ulin called Wallace "one of the most influential and innovative writers of the last 20 years."

I think I'll take it! (:

No-Fuss Snack Mix Chicken

ingredients

* 1 cup butter, melted or buttermilk
* 4 cups Pretzel Snack Mix (see recipe) or purchased snack mix, crushed*
* 5 to 5-1/2 lb. meaty chicken pieces**or 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 2-1/2 lb.)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, set aside. Place melted butter or buttermilk in shallow dish or pie plate. In another shallow dish or on waxed paper place crushed snack mix. Remove skin from meaty chicken pieces. Dip chicken in butter to coat; then dip in snack mix to coat evenly. Place chicken in prepared pan.
2. Bake until chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees F for breasts; 180 degrees F for thighs and drumsticks). Allow 50 to 60 minutes for meaty chicken pieces or 30 minutes for skinless boneless breast halves.
3. In a self-sealing storage bag or storage container with tight-fitting lid reserve 2 breast halves or 4 legs or thighs for Zesty Lemon-Chicken Salad Sandwiches; refrigerate up to 2 days. Makes 4 servings plus enough for Zesty Lemon-Chicken Salad Sandwiches.
4. *TEST KITCHEN TIP: To crush snack mix, place in self-sealing plastic bag. Remove excess air and close bag. Roll a rolling pin over snack mix in bag. (Or place snack mix in food processor bowl; cover and process until crushed.)
5. **TEST KITCHEN TIP: When purchasing meaty chicken pieces, figure 1 breast or 2 legs or thighs per serving.
6. Nutrition Facts using buttermilk: 526 cal., 23 g total fat (6 g sat. fat), 158 mg chol., 639 mg sodium, 26 g carbo., 2 g dietary fiber, 53 g protein. Daily Values: 6% vit. A, 3% vit. C, 11% calcium, 17% iron.

'Twilight' Cast & Crew Brief Fans About 'Breaking Dawn'

With the release of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse looming large on the horizon, the cast and crew of the film have spoken frequently with the press in recent weeks about the challenges of returning to Stephenie Meyer's source material to breathe more life into the author's now-iconic characters. But as excited as fans are for the new film, they're almost equally eager to see what's in store in the future – specifically, how the cast and filmmakers will successfully adapt Breaking Dawn, the supposedly batsh*t fourth book in the series, into a film that can be seen by the same audiences as its predecessors.

Cinematical joined the rest of Los Angeles' entertainment press at the recent junket for Eclipse, where "the big three" – Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner – were joined by many of the film's costars and crew members. Look for an exclusive interview on the site with Eclipse director David Slade later in the week, but in the meantime, check out what the cast and crew have to say about what's in store for Breaking Dawn.



In Breaking Dawn, what do you think Edward's evolution will be?

Pattinson: I haven't read it yet! I mean, it's weird - I'm starting it a month after this job and it's something I'm quite glad I haven't read it yet. I didn't intend to not read it until now, it's quite exciting. I have no idea, I just heard brief rumors about what happens in the story but I don't really know what happens at all

Your current haircut is shorter than Edward's. How are you going to go about getting your long hair back for Breaking Dawn?

Pattinson: I'm thinking maybe Edward got a haircut - it might be easier. I didn't even think about that when I got it cut, that is a bit silly. Vampires can cut their hair though, so I like the idea of Edward having a shaved head in the last one. That [would be] pretty cool.

How long have you known Breaking Dawn was going to be two films, and have you met with Bill Condon yet?

Pattinson: I found out about Breaking Dawn when the press release came out! Bill Condon I met briefly a few weeks ago, kind of by accident just before the MTV Awards, in a bar (laughs). He seemed great. He seemed like a really really nice guy, I haven't talked to him in detail about anything. But Gods and Monsters is an amazing movie. I think it's going to be good. I don't even know where they're going to shoot it yet or anything.

Since Breaking Dawn will be two movies, do you if one movie will be from your perspective and one will be from Rob's?

Lautner: I do know it will be two, which I am extremely excited about. It is going to be great. Bill Condon is doing both. I it going to be awesome and I can't wait to work with him.

Do you have a clause in your contract saying you have to keep your shirt on?

Lautner: No clause (laughs). Whatever the book says is most likely what we are going to do.

Would you ever do another film where you have to go shirtless again?

Lautner: I mean really, it all comes down to character. If I love the character, I love the story, and the character requires me to be shirtless, or if it requires me to lose thirty pounds, I'm ready to do it.

How do you think you will prepare yourself for the unique, romantic aspects that you will find yourself in?

Lautner: I haven't started thinking about it too much right now. We are focusing on Eclipse coming out. We are promoting that. Then after that I am focusing on Abduction. Then after that it will be Breaking Dawn. I'm sure as soon as we meet with Bill further down the road, we will go towards that, but that will be interesting.

Do you think the werewolves will go into a musical number?

Lautner: I think he actually already released a statement promising there would be no musical number in it (laughs). It is funny.

Now that you've done three of these are there things that you wish had made into the movie from the book that didn't?

Stewart: Yeah, totally - there are a million things. I mean every single time we watch one of the movies, especially when the cast watches it together, it's always an incredibly frustrating experience. That's why I'm glad that Breaking Dawn is going to be two movies, which I can finally say. So there's going to be less of that, less of having to lose stuff. I know you want specific things but I'm trying to think of one now but I can't.

How long have you known that Breaking Dawn was going to be two films, and how long will the shoot be?

Stewart: The shoot is going to be something like six months. We start in October. I think we're not going to be finished until maybe March or something, maybe February. I clearly don't really look at the schedule. I had to hold onto this forever. They've been talking about it for a really long time and we all definitely knew that it was going to be two movies forever now. It's been really hard not to say that. We're all really stoked on that.

Is there a scene that you particularly hope makes the movie?

Stewart: There are a million and we haven't even shot it yet. I can't wait to see and I can't wait to get married and have a kid. It's all of that. It's going to be crazy.

What designer would love to see design Bella's wedding dress and if you could dream it up what would it look like?

Stewart: Well, Stephenie [Meyer] is absolutely in charge of that. I'm sure she has really specific ideas. I haven't really thought about it. But I feel like Bella would definitely want something like really classic and really simple, too but beautiful. I have no idea in terms of designers.

Would it be white?

Stewart: Yeah, or like creamy, but definitely classic. She doesn't want to get married and because it means so much to Edward and because he has such different sensibilities and such different values, I think because she's going to go ahead and go through with it she's going to give him everything. I think it's going to be like a really beautiful and monumental wedding because he wants that. Usually it's the opposite. Usually the girl wants it. It's cute.

In an interview with Rob, he said in reference to Breaking Dawn that he wanted to make it rated R and stick to the book. Would you like to stick to the book and bring the rating up or do you think it should be toned down?

Stewart: I guess that everybody interprets those things differently. My guess is that it'll be PG-13. I have no idea but I guess we'll all see when it comes out.

Do you see an opportunity in Breaking Dawn, since it's two films, to create two interpretations of Bella, pre-vampire and post-vampire?

Stewart: Yeah, actually. I really can't wait to get into that because I've been on the outskirts of what it would feel like to play one of them. I had to think about it a lot considering that Bella is dating one of them very seriously. It's been years of dealing with these issues and I've thought about it a lot and I can't wait to actually be it. It's going to be a trip. It's going to be weird and I think she does change a lot. I think she's going to be the coolest vampire out of all of them. She's got the greatest power. She's untouchable. Nothing can touch her and I think that literally she can protect the whole clan. She's such a mother, too. I think it'll be awesome to see how much she's changed from Twilight where she's this seventeen year old kid who really doesn't care about whole lot other than herself. To see her become this matriarch will be really cool.

What are you most looking forward to doing when you start shooting Breaking Dawn?

Facinelli: I'm looking forward to working with Bill Condon. He's phenomenal. I'm looking forward to hearing what his thoughts are on the series and the movie. It's cool because all these different directors have these different interpretations. You don't get complacent and sit back and go, "Ok. I know these characters." They're always asking you different questions and getting you to think deeper.

Chow Baby & Phantom!

This was one the best weekends I have had in a while and it was made even better because most of it was spent with Wes's and my good friends, Marlena and Patrick! (:

Friday night was movie night - see the previous post for my thoughts! We had a good girls night of chinese food, cookie cake, wine and popcorn. The fact that we also added Robert Pattinson into the mix made the night PRICELESS! (:

Saturday morning Wesley and I got up and got ready to go into Atlanta for the day! We went to meet up with the Bell's at the Worthan house to drop off Cullen and head to the Fox to see Phantom of the Opera! Marlena and I loved it of course - the guys on the other hand couldn't have cared less really. I can't blame them though - neither of them really knew the story and they complained that they couldn't understand the plot because they couldn't understand the words of the songs. I laughed, and told Wes we could watch the movie later - he would understand that better!



We went to Chow Baby for dinner - introducing it to Patrick and Marlena for the first time, I think they enjoyed it!



I enjoyed the play very much. I was so glad to see this one on stage because this was the last month that it's coming to Atlanta. I did see the program though and my most favorite musical ever is coming to Atlanta next March! (: A Chorus Line!

Sunday was mostly a very lazy day... I did some laundry, and house work. Wes went to play cards with the guys. But on their way home we met them at Buffalo's for dinner!

__________________



Lately I have been watching the show 'Brothers & Sisters' on DVD... I'm obsessed! I can't believe all the drama they wrote for this family. I hate Tommy right now! ): He makes me so mad... he never thinks of anyone else in his family. He makes decisions based only about himself!

Anyways, I love this show and just finished season three. Season four comes on DVD in August... can't wait to borrow Mom's copy. She's already pre-ordered it! LOL

Movie Reviews!

Marlena and I had a double-feature movie night last week and we watched two very good, very different from one another, movies. The first one was 'Adam'. The plot summary is this: Soon after moving in, Beth, a brainy, beautiful writer damaged from a past relationship encounters Adam, the handsome, but odd, fellow in the downstairs apartment whose awkwardness is perplexing. Beth and Adam's ultimate connection leads to a tricky relationship that exemplifies something universal: truly reaching another person means bravely stretching into uncomfortable territory and the resulting shake-up can be liberating.

This movie was moving. Adam as Asperger's Syndrome and he slowly develops a relationship and a love connection with his neighbor, Beth. The two are an unconventional couple, they have a hard time sharing feelings and understanding one another in the beginning. But overall, Beth helps Adam learn many things and he becomes a more well-rounded person because of her. This was a man who had never left NYC alone before in his entire life. He's twenty-nine and was still living in a small apartment with his Father, until he passed away. It was really moving to see how he couldn't understand the basic feelings that normal people have. He wasn't very good at knowing what people are thinking, and he made some situations very awkward because of it. The movie doesn't end happily, but it doesn't end on a really sad note either.

The second movie we watched was Robert Pattison's 'Remember Me'. This was a story that centered on two new lovers: Tyler, whose parents have split in the wake of his brother's suicide, and Ally, who lives each day to the fullest since witnessing her mother's murder.

The drama in this movie was very intriguing to me... granted Tyler only introduced himself to Ally because of her Father being the cop that arrested him, but I think that only added depth to the situation. I never saw the end coming to this movie, there was no way I could have predicted it and I liked that a lot, even though this was the most depressing movie I have seen in a LONG TIME! I would recommend this movie to any of my friends because even though the end of this movie made me cry, I still loved it and would watch it again. (Not anytime soon, but one day).

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Movie Review!

It's that time of the year again... time for another Twilight Saga movie.... Eclipse!

Beware of spoilers below...it's time to explain in detail what I liked about the movie and what I didn't like....

Mostly, my favorite scenes from the book were in the movie and I was so glad. This movie stayed closer to the books out of all three in my opinion. I was glad to see the Rosalie & Jasper flashbacks, the tent scene, the Volturi, Riley & Bree, the "training" scene, and many more! I will attach some photos as well from my favorite scenes... I was go glad for this movie and can't wait to see it again! :)

I hope to get my husband to go see it with me because I think that he would enjoy it! (Enter sheepish grin here!) I didn't like the wig they put on Bryce Dallas Howard as Victoria...as much as I love her, I think that the wig looked ridiculously bad! LOL I also didn't like the lack of wolf drama in this movie. I can't wait for BD and to see more of Seth, Leah, & Jacob!! :)

Here are some of my favorite screen caps from the movie...


The Meadow scene made me smile...it was nice to see them so calm and loving - I love how Edward was stroking and playing with her hair. I think that R Patt really stepped up as Edward for this movie and it was the best portrayal of Edward from the book since they started the movies.


I loved when Jacob showed up at school... when Edward said "If I asked you to stay in the car, would you?" and she gets out anyways! I loved it! TL looked good for this movie and he gets cuter and a much better Jacob with each movie that passes! :)





Xavier Samuel and Jodelle Ferland were cast as Riley and Bree in the movie! I was so excited to see these two characters!! After reading the new novella that SM wrote for Eclipse, I was super excited to see these two characters portrayed in the movie and even though they didn't use Bree's name, I still loved that she was there and that she still played that important part. I also adored the part of Riley!

I was so psyched up to see this movie and I will tell you I was not at all disappointed! I loved every second and was GLUED to the screen! :)

Can't wait for Breaking Dawn - Part One next fall!

Block Party @ Eagle Brook!

Last night we joined the Bell family for a block party at the country club... I met Patrick's brother Charlie and his wife Holly... and Bramlin and Addison, their babies. I made some new friends and we have a blast!

Here is a photo of me and Bram! :)



The day started lazily at home - and then we met up with Patrick & Marlena (and Cullen) and head to a local country club, Eagle Brook, for a block party. The party was in the culdesac outside Patrick's brother, Charlie's, house. It was nice to meet them, and I also met Candace Court and her hubby Stan - who apparently work at CCWA with my Mom. What a small world! :) They have two of the cutest kids I have seen in a long time.

The night ended with plans for a fun day today at Marlena's parents house. We have a ton of friends getting together to celebrate Independence Day.

Here are some more pics from last night. More can be seen on my FB page.

Happy Independence Day America!

On Sunday, July 4th, we celebrate America's Independence Day! :)

This day commemorates that adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, declaring our independence from Great Britain. Usually to celebrate in the US on this holiday you see: parades, fireworks, cookouts, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games and political speeches.



This photo is of fireworks & the laser show at Stone Mountain here in GA. This year I am celebrating on Saturday at a block party with friends and then on Sunday at a party at the Worthan House. We will have food, swimming, volleyball, and fireworks! I'm so excited!

But I'm most excited about Monday... because my Mom, Sisters and I are going to see The Twilight Saga: Eclipse! :)



I will be posting a movie review on it soon after I'm sure... but I wanted to go ahead and update this blog now because I will be too busy to do it this weekend! I hope that we have a good time with friends and family this weekend and I pray that Wes's family are safe going to Hilton Head for the week. (They will be missed). I look forward to the next week as well... so many things planned! I am taking Marlena out for her birthday and then going to see Phantom next Saturday with Marlena and Patrick and my husband! :)

Today at work I will be continuing to help update a secure cargo booklet - I have to go in and edit a TON of text and then I have to work on some contractor cards - 640 of them to be exact! Lots of data entry today for sure! I'm not really looking forward to it. Work has been busy lately, so I have had NO TIME to update my blog and/or live journal. I'm sure I'll have more to write after the weekend and pics to share too! :)