Fictional Man Candy

Have you ever fallen in love with a character in a movie or in a TV Show?

Here are my top fictional loves!

{John Krasinski as Jim Halpert in The Office}

source :: ourpersonalrecords @ wordpress

Tell me a girl that didn't have a crush on Jim and how much he loved Pam. He was funny, endearing, and always tried to do the right thing...or at least make the best of whatever Michael had screwed up.

{Colin Firth as Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones' Diary}

source :: urbanmoms.com

"No, I like you. Just as you are."
Collective sigh now, ladies. We all want a man that likes us just as we are.

{Jake Johnson as Nick Miller in New Girl}

source :: bravo

Who doesn't love an insecure man with commitment issues?
But he's sooooo dedicated to making things work with Jess.

{Gerard Butler as The Stranger in Dear Frankie}

source :: sfgate.com

A selfless stranger who goes the extra mile just to make a special kid feel like he belongs.
Careful, you will cry.

{Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider in Tangled}

source :: writesups.org

Poor, misunderstood Flynn. He doesn't even know what he needs until it hits him in the head, literally.
I love how he found himself by helping Rapunzel follow her dream.

{James Roday as Shawn Spencer in Psych}

source :: madwomanpoems @ livejournal

A man who doesn't take himself seriously and always manages to screw up.
But, man, does he know how to humorously solve crime!

W.I.R.W. #22

Since I started working at the library, I have discovered the wonderful world that is audio books. I always thought that I wouldn't be able to keep track of all that was happening in the book as I listened to it, but boy was I wrong! I love them. I don't have much free time to sit down and really read a book but this makes it possible. I love to listen them when I'm driving or cleaning or working out. It makes time go by faster, and I can't believe I've waited so long to try them out!

Right now, I'm listening to The Maze Runner series. 

source :: goodreads

I usually don't like books by male authors, but this series is really, really good. It always has me guessing and wondering all the time, and I can't wait to know what happens next!

Go home, Weather. You're Drunk.

Snowflakes fell from the sky this morning...

In Nashville...

In the fall...

source :: pinterest

Of course, since it was 61 degrees yesterday, not a single flake stuck to the ground. But, dare I hope that we might actually have accumulating snowfall this winter season??

Kiss the Girl

In honor of my 200th post {party!!!!!}, I am talking first kisses!! Do you remember your first kiss? I sure do and man was it A.W.K.W.A.R.D.

source :: pinterest

Let me lay it out for you...

I was about 14, and it was in a movie theatre with my second "official" boyfriend. Now, you might think that it was during a romantic part of the movie, but you'd be wrong because we were watching the movie Lilo & Stitch. {You remember that I love all things Disney, right?} And, our kiss happened on our walk out of the movie theatre. We were holding hands as we walked out and made eye contact. It was magical knowing I was about to be kissed. I closed my eyes and anticipated the kiss...but he missed!

source :: pinterest

It wasn't like he aimed for my mouth and got my eyebrow because that would have been hugely scaring and emotionally damaging. He did however kiss the side of my mouth, which was just plain disappointing.

But, I couldn't just let it lie and smile gratefully. Oh, no. I had to call the guy on it. I vividly remember saying, "You missed." And then, we argued about it. Not a knock-out, drag down argument but just a little playful tiff. I think my goal in saying that was to get him to try again...but he didn't. I remember being sad about that too.

Was you first kiss like that too? Awkward and embarrassing? Or, did you have a great first kiss like I did with my husband?

source :: dinaashley18 {tumblr}

We were hanging out in my friend Kelly's dorm room. I was acting silly, as I'm apt to do, and I ended up right in front of his face. I don't remember what I was saying, but I remember seeing that look in his eyes and thinking, "Omigod! He's going to kiss me!" And then, he did. It was magical. My insides exploded like fireworks, and I obviously had to run and tell my girl Kelly. So I left Mr. GrapeJuice standing there in the room as I squealed my news to Kelly!

A perfect first kiss...just like every one since then.

Thankful Thursday: My Mommy

source :: livehealthysimply.com

It's November, which means everyone is focusing on being thankful for the many different things in our lives. Now, personally, I think we should be thankful every day and not just in November. But, in the spirit of all things Thanksgiving, I'm going to share what I'm thankful for today - my mommy because it's her birthday.

She's been my silent warrior - always fighting for me in the background without saying a word about it to me.

She's influenced me in so many ways - to be a great person, to love books, to get my shop on, etc.

She taught me how to be a great woman and wife and, hopefully, because of her, I'll make a good mom one day too!

W.I.R.W. #21 [& a book cover reveal]

This week, I'm reading something I've never voluntarily read before in my entire life - a nonfiction book! Yes, you read that correctly. I am reading nonfiction...for fun! If you see pigs flying, I'm sorry. =]

source :: goodreads

I like to pretend that one day I will write my own chick lit novel. So, in the meantime, I am reading this book. I found it while pulling books for my "National Novel Writing Month" display. I was a little selfish and checked the book out for myself instead of putting it on display. And, boy, am I glad that I did! Even if I never write a novel, I will always be grateful for having read it. It's a great foray into the background world of female authors who, lo and behold, are just like you!!! It's an easy and fun nonfiction book to read if you want to add one to your reading portfolio.

Allllsssoooo...receiving email was fun yesterday!! I got to have a sneak peek at the cover for the next Imdalind book {this is number four - Soul of Flame}. Now, if you didn't already know, I am in serious like, possibly even love, with this series. You can read about it here and here. And, now, I get to share the cover with you!!

Here's a little synopsis about the fourth book:

"The Time for the final battle has come.

Edmund's armies have surrounded the Rioseco Abbey, trapping the few survivors inside. The sight that Ilyan was given a thousand years ago is about to come to pass.

If only Joclyn was able to fight.

Joclyn is tormented by the hallucinations that Cail’s mind has left her with, her magic an uncontrollable torrent that even Ilyan cannot control. Her moments of lucidity are broken by fears of dripping pipes and bleeding walls, and a desire to kill Ryland that she is having trouble trying to ignore.

The sight has shown her power, shown her success, but it has also shown her death – The end of her life something she is not quite willing to give up on yet.

Even past her death, the sight has shown her love, and that love may be the only key to her sanity, to her strength, and to Edmund's death.

That love may stand in her way, and a single choice may tip the scales and secure their future, or destroy their fate."

Now, enter to win your own advanced copy and an Amazon gift card! - a Rafflecopter giveaway

What I'm Bad At

{one}

remembering

source :: owassowrestling.weebly.com

I have so many lists - in my head, on paper, on my phone, etc. - it's not even funny. I even have a calendar where I write everything down for my husband and I to see all the time. Some people call me organized, but they don't understand that if I don't write it down then I won't remember to actually do it. Mr. GrapeJuice absolutely cannot stand that I'm so forgetful all the time.

{two}

cleaning/doing laundry

source :: blalank.deviantart.com

I am absolutely, positively never motivated to clean anything ever. On Fridays, however, I'm trying to make it a point to clean at least one room in the house and do at least one load of laundry. I know my house could look much, much worse than it currently does, but I don't want to get to that level of clutter. Interestingly enough, I love to clean when my husband isn't home. Maybe I'll get some cleaning done this weekend while he's out hunting...

{three}

following through

source :: dribbble.com

Now, this is an interesting one because it only affects my personal life. When I'm at work, I know what's expected of me, and I don't want to fail anyone. However, when I get home, I am much more lackadaisical about this sort of thing. I'm not sure if it's because I constantly push myself to be the best at work so I can get noticed and rewarded...like with a full-time permanent position, or if I just don't care about following through with others in my personal life because I know they are stuck with me will always be there for me. It's something I plan to work on though!

Do you have some of these same faults? Or, do you have others?

It's never too early to start evaluating for your New Year's Goals!!!

50 Days & Counting...

About two months ago, Mr. GrapeJuice and I had professional pictures taken. They turned out so perfectly, but the Monday after we had them done, I started my new healthier lifestyle! It's been 50 days {tomorrow} since I started, and I am loving the results!!

I can see more definition in my arms and am much trimmer through my waistline, hips, and thighs. You know you're doing something right when all your husband wants to do is stare at you all night. ;)

{...also, isn't my $12 dress awesome?!}

Five for Friday

1. Last weekend, I got to meet and hangout with Sarah of To Be Mrs. Collier. We have been bloggy friends since February and were f.i.n.a.l.l.y. able meet up! We sipped heavenly Chai Lattes that Sarah calls "Christmas in Cup" while we chatted. BFFL - best friends for life!

2. I spent my entire lunch break yesterday pinning cookie butter recipes. If I blew up your feed, I apologize. I have big plans to spoil my coworkers during the holidays though!

3. It has been almost 50 days since I started my new healthy lifestyle, and I couldn't be happier with my progress. I'm hoping to have a comparison post for next week!

4. I have been put in charge of decorating bulletin boards and displays at work. Yesterday I put together a children's bulletin, a children's Thanksgiving book display, and an adult National Novel Writing Month display.

5. I dressed in Snow White colors yesterday for Halloween. Only one person knew who I was. Others called me Lucy Ricardo, Flo from Progressive, and a 50s Housewife. Not bad that they could tell I was dressed up without really wearing a costume to work. :)