January || 2017 Roundup

Wherein it has been an obscene amount of time since I last posted.

Like whoa.

But hey, I figure the best thing I can do is start again, right? New year, new me!

And what better way to start than with my annual yearly roundup?

Buckle up, ladies and gents, it's gonna be a long and hilarious ride.


1.) What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?

     Mmm. 2017 feels like a really long year. Let me think...
First date, first kiss, first time getting my own internet, first time writing with my right hand. (Yeah, that's a long story. lol) First time shooting a rifle and a shotgun. Started a stick fighting class.

 2.) Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make one this year?

    So New Year's Resolutions are impossible and I refuse to answer this question.

3.) Did anyone close to you give birth?

    Probably

4.) Did anyone close to you die?

      No.

5.) What countries/states did you visit?
2017 was a crappy year for travel lol.

6.) What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?

     Self-confidence! Woooo!
(Or my concealed carry license, it's a toss up)

7.) What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory? 

      November 1st, because reasons.

8.) Did you move anywhere?

YES! OH MY GOSH! MY SISTER'S AND I MOVED INTO THE CUTEST STINKING HOUSE!
Not an apartment, a house! With bedrooms! And a big old kitchen! (With a big enough oven to cook two pizzas in at once.)AND A FIREPLACE! And my own room!
And a garage! And a backyard! (No, washer or dryer though, but we have hookups, so that will change.)

You guys. I can sing as loud as I want.

It's amazing.

9.) What was your biggest achievement of the year?

      I am an underachiever.
I'm a designer of flowers at the shop now. So whoo.
I shot a shotgun. (It nearly dislocated my shoulder. I kick butt.)

(Yes, dangit, I am aware this is a rifle, not a shotgun. But I don't have any pictures of me with the shotgun. Deal with it!)

Also, no, that is not my jacket, why do you ask?

10.) What was your biggest failure?

  I my blogging sucked. Also any attempts to make my art better sucked.

11.) Did you suffer illness or injury?

       So, I dropped this entire dumpster lid on my left thumb.
11 stitches later, I looked like Frankenstein's Monster's Daughter, and it was freaking stupid.

12.) What was the best thing you bought?

        Eh. My bed.

13.) Whose behavior merited celebration?
Probably Gavin, because Gavin is a good person.

14.) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

        The same person who has left me appalled and depressed the last couple times I answered this question.

15.) Where did most of your money go? 
Rent, art supplies, and Christmas pressies.

16.) What did you get really, really, really excited about?

        November 1st.

17.) What was the best concert you’ve been to this year?

        Ehe...Probably the Beauty and the Beast musical in Carson.

18.) What song/album will always remind you of 2017?

        The song of the year would probably have to be Something Just Like This by the Chainsmokers, (although I usually listen to the version by Luciana Zugbi, cause her voice.

19.) Compared to this time last year, are you:

       More tired.

     

20.) What do you wish you’d done more of?

        Praying, I think. And drawing.

21.) What do you wish you’d done less of?

       Stressing out and fighting. Cause that's been a thing this year.

22.) What was your greatest musical discovery?

       Prolly Dear Evan Hansen?

23.) How did you spend Christmas?

       At our new house. With Christmas Mass in the morning (which we sang,) and presents later on in the afternoon. It wasn't the way we normally celebrate, so it was kind of bittersweet.

24.) How did you/are you spending New Year’s?

       We have decided to make the Lord of the Rings marathon an annual thing.

So we did that, and then I got sick. It was awesome lol.

25.) Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?

        Charlie and Gina

26.) What was the best book you read?

       Best new book would have to be The Empty Grave by Jonathan Stroud,
and the best reread would have to be the Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner.

27.) Did you fall in love in 2017?
I did most of the falling in 2016, so no.

28.) What was your favorite TV show?

I haven't really had a chance to watch new shows this year. So, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is still currently my favorite, although Stranger Things is also really good, and weird as heck. (It does have some adult content, however, so you know.. Be warned.)

ALSO WHAT HAPPENED TO DOCTOR WHO? I AM SO MAD AT MOFFAT. I HOPE THE SHOW BURNS AND DIES.

29.) Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? 

       Not really. The people I don't like as the same people as last year.

30.) What did you want and get?

A HOUSE.
A heavy duty metal target.
This amazing St. Teresa of Avila statue. (totally cried.)

31.) What did you want and not get?

Nothing really, I didn't get a glock 43 (cause California sucks)
or a concealed carry (Because I'm a procrastinator and I suck.)

32.) What were your favorite films of this year?

        Spiderman: Homecoming because that kid is perfect as Spiderman and Peter Parker.

33.) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

   My birthday was odd this year. Although my bestest cousin came up to see me, which was awesome.
I had a meltdown in the evening.

I was 22.   

34.) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?
lol, so funny story.
When I was little, I was the single most girly-girl on the planet. I had twirly skirts and patent leather shoes that clip-clopped. I liked tea parties and princess stories.

These days I am the single least frilly girl in my entire family (and I have a lot of sisters.)
baseball shirts and maxi skirts, and little to no make-up or jewelry. I can't tell if that's because I legitimately made that choice, or because I am too lazy to make more of an effort except on special occasions.

35.) What kept you sane?

God, music, and my people.

36.) Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Surprisingly enough, I didn't fancy a celebrity this year.

37.) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 

I don't know. I want a family of my own with little tiny babies and a dog, please and thank you.

38.) What political issue stirred you the most?

*starts list*

39.) Who did you miss?

Charlie, Sammi, and my sisters.

40.) Who was the best new person you met?

I am a hermit.

41.) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.

42.) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"I hope you're somewhere praying. I hope your soul is changing.
I hope you find your peace, falling on your knees, praying."
"Praying" by Kesha  

43.) Five personally significant events of 2017:

       1. November 1st.

       2. November 3rd.

       3. Moving into our new house

       4. Shot a rifles and a shotgun

       5. I dunno, crap hit the ceiling this year.

44.) Five things I want to do in 2018:

        1. Art.

        2. Visit my sisters.

        3. Visit Alaska

        4. Get my concealed carry license.

        5.Go on retreat

45.) Five people I’d like to know better in 2018:

I am seriously considering just replacing this question, because I never have 5 people I want to get to know better. Because I hate people.

 And that, my dears, sums up my 2017. 

Honestly, I don't know how I feel about this year. It was simultaneously really good, and so bad it rivaled 2012. (Which if you know me or my blog at all, you will know I hated 2012 with every fiber of my being.)

A lot of amazing things happened.
A lot of awful things happened.

I'm sick to death of drama.

But I've been so blessed too, you know?

Uuuugh. With God all things are possible, and God's ways are not our ways, but seriously.. I'm tired.

That being said, I hope you all had a fantastic year, and a fantastic New Year and here's hoping that 2018 means a lot of prayers will be answered and a lot of good will happen, yiss?

Question Time!

Best gif usage?

What did you do for New Year's?

Can you answer at least three of the tag questions for me? I'm interested!

 

I love you all!

And here's to 2018! I hope it's wonderful for all of you. 

 

"A Test of Loyalty" cover reveal!

I need to post more than once a week.

I realize this and shall attempt to be better about it.

Anyway.

Today is the cover reveal for Jack's new book!

*happy dance*

More happy dances!

Alright enough of that madness.

Look at this awesome cover!!

 

A Test of Loyalty

 

Upon learning he is one of the sons of the now dead king, Prince Lachlan is forced to leave the only home he has ever known. Fleeing for his life, his step-brothers a step behind, Lachlan finds safety and friendship with a young seamstress named Magda, a hermit, an Elf, and two Dwarf brothers. Determined to keep the young prince alive, Magda and the others seek out help in the surrounding Nations.

Everywhere they go, the fugitives are constantly turned away. They are followed by Lachlan's half- brothers who are determined to kill him so that one of them might take their father's crown and become the next king. With every place Lachlan is taken, his brothers close in and when the finally catch up Lachlan is forced to face the question that has been haunting him since he left home.

Lachlan was saved in the hopes he would become a better king then his father and his brothers. But the last thing he wants is to sit on the throne. If he refuses the crown, will there be anyone willing to fight to keep him alive?

I need to get my hands on the first one, so I can read it because... *eyes Jack accusingly* I haven't read it yet.

The Jack of Awesomness

About Jack:

Jack Lewis Baillot has the ability to wear a red shirt because she is convinced she is Scottish and therefore immune to expendable dying. 

It also helps that she has a last name.

Jack claims the title of Author, which makes her feel like a Time Lord when she capitalizes it. She has a sonic pen which deepens her Time Lord claims. She enjoys a good Science Fiction story though spends most of her time writing Fantasy and Steampunk, or a mixture of both.

She believes cliff hangers are terrible and feels the need to apologize over and over when one of her books ends on one.

When Jack isn't writing, which doesn't happen often, she goes on long hikes through the ice lands she calls home. She believes she will one day meet the Abominable Snowman and share a cup of hot chocolate with him.

You can learn more about Jack's other published work and upcoming books at her website, jacklewisbaillot.com

Seriously now, she is quite a delightful author and you are missing out if you haven't read her books.

And now I must go.

We are going to a Renaissance Faire and I'm excited.

Cheers to you all!

The Frenchiest Fry

"May these memories break our fall" (a.k.a. Jack is gone and I'm depressed.)

JACK'S VISIT WAS AWWWESOME!

Seriously, that's the most fun I've had in a long time. I can honestly assure everyone who follows her, (and if you don't, why not? Get over there and follow her now.) that she is just as lovely and hilarious in real life as she is on her blog, and I am so happy we got to meet her for real.

We kept bursting out with the "We gonna partay like it's EIGHTeen Eighty-eeeiiight!" from Psych the Musical

I had this song stuck in my head for a lot of the visit and I think it's highly applicable to how I felt while she was here. 

 I said, "Remember this moment."

in the back of my mind.  

That night we stood with our shaking hands

the crowds in stands went wild.
We were the Kings and the Queens
And they read off our names.
The night you danced like you knew our lives
Would never be the same
You held your head like a hero
On a history book page
It was the end of a decade
But the start of an age.

I will admit that I was a bit nervous. We're all shy. She's also shy. I had visions of us meeting each other and nodding and smiling and being highly uncomfortable.

That didn't happen.

Although, my dad may have called us at the airport, to warn us that if SHE turned out to be a HE, to leave, because she/he was probably a murderer.

True Story.

Jack!

She kind of just slipped right in to the family.

So we did fun things.... like went to cool shops with beauteous paper weights, and also the most epic kaleidoscopes I've ever seen.

And then we came home and watched Leverage. See, the goal was to get Jack through all five seasons in two weeks and one day. Challenge accepted.

On the first Sunday, we went to the meadow and read and talked and it was really peaceful.

Long live! The walls we crashed through
All the kingdom lights shined just for me and you
I was screaming long live all the magic we made
And bring on all the pretenders
One day, we will be remembered

She wishes to remain anonymous, so we will have a bunch of pictures like the one below, because really, we need pictures of Jack, without showing her faaaaace. 

Jack introduced us to John! (I love John!) But unfortunately, I cannot help but refer to him as Jawn, and not John. 

Jaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwn

 

And then we went home and watched more Leverage. We had 77 episodes to get through, people!

The day after that, we went to a different meadow. One we could walk to. We brought books and cameras and talked.

 

And then!!!! You guessed it. More Leverage! (We were up to season two by now. I think we'd watched a Tim Hawkins' concert too, and the Three Amigos.)

Jack, this gif is just for you. LOL!

Next came a hike up to Cascade Lake. We were having really beautiful weather for the first part of her visit and the hike was really fun.

I said remember this feeling
I passed the pictures around
Of all the years that we stood there
On the side-lines wishing for right now
We are the Kings and the Queens

You traded your baseball cap for a crown
When they gave us our trophies
And we held them up for our town

 And the cynics were outraged
Screaming "this is absurd"
Cause for a moment a band of thieves
In ripped up jeans got to rule the world

And then home.... and..... Leverage. =)

I MADE THIS GIF!!

At this point, Sammie was comfortable enough around Jack to curl up next to her and go to sleep. I told you she became part of the family. (Sammie eventually started going, "This is my Jackie. She's my big sister." and it was adorable.)

Also, by now, we were all booping each other in fine Supernatural fashion.

I made this one too

In between trips to Starbucks and Jamba Juice and other drink places in town, we did a lot of this:

 And this:

 Also this:

See? Jack likes to read in the sun, just like us! Lalalalalalala! Normalcy is such a rare thing to find in other human beings.

Some days we'd just stay home and read, or talk, and it was relaxing. Other days we'd mix in sitting on the pier and looking at the lake.

Long live the walls we crashed through
All the kingdom lights shined just for me and you!
I was screaming: long live all the magic we made
And bring on all the pretenders
I'm not afraid

Courtesy of Jack

Also courtesy of Jack

 JACK

 NOT JACK

And then came the day that we went to thrift stores and got clothes and Jamba Juice. WHICH reminds me.... I FINALLY GAVE A FALSE NAME. TWICE! I was Jules. And then I was Jo.

Jules

Jo

Heeeehehe.

Anyway. Jamba Juice also included going and sitting in a park for a while, because it was really warm, and fruit smoothies + warmth = delight.

Long live all the mountains we moved
I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you
I was screaming long live that look on your face
And bring on all the pretenders
One day, we will be remembered 

This involved Bella taking an embarrassingly awful 

picture of me grooving, Dean style, to Heat of the Moment

So as payback, I might have taken a picture of her falling asleep in the car on the way home. 

Twice

Home again, home again. 

Terrible picture, but there you go. Sorry. *Grin*

MORE STARBUCKS

CAFFEINE

More of this: 

We spent a day at Barnes&Noble. I freaking love that store, you guys.

I OWN THIS. (thanks, Kit. lol)

 More Jamba Juice

Sammi came over and spent the night at one point....

PARTAAAAY! (Like it's 1888...)

More booping. Everyone was booping everyone by this time.

Chloe parked herself on that counter while we made dinner, and sang with much gusto to Sparks Fly and Long Live.

Hold on to spinning around
Confetti falls to the ground
May these memories break our fall

We even taught her how to play revenge! (a card game that needs speed, accuracy, and power... actually, just speed and a good eye for pairs.)

And about this point, I got clever and starting yelling at her to cover her face in pictures. Literally, "COVER YOUR FACE, JACK!"

She was very obliging.

Coffee!

Sammi joined us for the above and then we went and hung out at Mahri and Amy's cabin for a bit.

COVER YOUR FACE, JACK!

And right after that....

 

This is Jack's last day and it was kind of bittersweet, because we were having fun, and all, but there was that inevitable sadness in the back of my mind that made me go, "We could just.... sleep in too late and make her miss her flight..."

Will you take a moment, promise me this
That you'll stand by me forever
But if God forbid fate should step in
And force us into a goodbye
If you have children some day
When they point to the pictures
Please tell them my name
Tell them how the crowds went wild
Tell them how I hope they shine!

Cover your face, Jack!

Amy and Jack

Beware the Weeping Angels

So we made gnocchi for dinner. (Jack helped roll them off forks and it was fun.)

We also made strawberry pound cake and it was delish... we ate it while we watched the LAST EPISODE of Leverage! We did it, guys! We watched five seasons, and only skipped three episodes.

After that, just us older girls went to the lake to watch the sunset. It was cold and snowy, but epic, because... we make all things epic.

There were actually so many pictures from this that I had a hard time choosing which ones to post.

Long live the walls we crashed through
I had the time of my life, with you
Long, long live the walls we crashed through
All the kingdom lights shined just for me and you
I was screaming long live all the magic we made
And bring on all the pretenders
I'm not afraid

COVER YOUR FACE, JACK!

Me and Jack

Mahri and Jack

Singing, long live all the mountains we moved
I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you

The snow looked like shooting stars to mah camera

 JAAAACK!

 I even took a video, which everyone allowed me to upload. Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a nicer vacation. It was really perfect. 

Between watching Leverage, (and The Three Amigos, The Italian Job, TWO Tim Hawkins concerts, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, 42 [the baseball movie], Kate and Leopold, AND The Eagle..... What? So we watched a crud load of films! SO WHAT?)  and the quoting, and the tickling, and the sharing of hatred of a certain fictional character, Jack fit in so well, and we all got along... she's pretty much been adopted as another sister. (She and Sammi both.)

And long, long live that look on your face
And bring on all the pretenders
One day, we will be remembered 

I am so happy we got to meet her, and I am so depressed that the visit went by so fast. We have all been moping a bit. *Sob*

 

L-R from back row, Jack, Bella, Kat, Amy, Mahri, and me

So, Jack! We miss you already! When are you coming back?

Witch. (it's not an insult if you know why I call her that.)