Post Christmas absence, I'm still thinking of you

*I will be back to normal blogging Monday, January 3rd...*

This is what I did Christmas day...

What about you? How was your holiday?
Candyland. OUT.
P.S. Candyland will be here and there this week, but comment away.

Feel Me Up Friday: I spit out eggs and fall down stairs. I'm a freakin' catch.

Merry baby-Jesus's-birthday-bash-eve-or-whatever-you-celebrate!

Yesterday I offered a little sunshine. But I've noticed something amongst the good fortune that has surrounded the blorld (blog+world), in real life, there seems to be a dark cloud looming. A friend had her cat put to sleep, another friend's grandpa died, my MIL had long-time dog/fur son put to sleep, the hubs injured his leg and has been LAID up for days (and he NEVER misses work), and more craptastic happenings. Though I try to stay positive, one thing after another has cursed the circle around me. Encased me, almost.

So, friends, I need you.

Tomorrow, when you think of me, and I magically send that bit of faith to you, I ask that maybe you'll do the same in return. I don't normally ask for prayers, faith, belief, but something tells me I need it right now as the storm closes in.

There's never been a better time for a BR80-related story, but I have none. So I leave you with this, friends.

Random Fact: OMG I fell down the stairs AGAIN. The offspring was in the tub and yelled "what was that?" Just your dear, old mother. Don't get up, nono. I'll find my dignity somewhere.

 

Random Fact: I have such a sensitive stomach, I rarely eat breakfast. I also go through a few cans of Sprite/7Up/day (you'd think I was rail thin...but alas...). I'm constantly nauseated (which means I complain a lot), and sometimes I take a bite of eggs only to spit them out.

Sexy, yesyes.

I will be incognito next week, stalking blogs, posting a short something each day, though, I'm technically on hiatus (much like most of you). I hope you have a wondiferous holiday where you miss me lots and lots and I promise to do the same.

In the meantime, some winners of J2W Part TWO! I almost forgot! Thank you to everyone who donated. Seriously. You helped me surpass my goal. Despite what the contest page says, the prizes have changed a bit, so if you've won, email me and we'll discuss. candace ganger [at] yahoo [dot] com
1st Place: Jessica Bell
2nd: Shannon O'Donnell
3rd: Jamie Burch

Until next time tell me, any weirdo food issues or am I the only goon?
Have a fantastic holiday weekend, open presents, think of others (me) and eat a ton.
Candylandlovesyou. OUT.

I'm not a cheapskate, but my wish for you is free

Wow December 23rd, huh? Weird. Now, is anyone with me when I say where the hell did the year go? Seriously. It goes to show how incredibly short life is, and how much time just keeps passing. Don't let time steal your dreams. 

That is my Christmas wish for you.

Through the pain, rejection, fear, doubt, insecurity, impatience, anxiety...hold tight to what you want. Be who you want to be. And start right now. Not January 1st~NOW. Sure, I'm having trouble following my own advice, but, it seems over the last few months, a lot of good fortune has been in the air. Be ready for it, embrace it, let it it carry you as you work hard on whatever it is that brings you joy.

I'm going to send you all a gift. It costs me nothing and I have an abundance of it. It's called faith. On Christmas morning, no matter your religious or spiritual beliefs, if I cross your mind, even for a second, take my gift and use it on whatever your passion. Believe good things will happen, because I believe in you. 

And you know what? I have proof. You, friends, you are the proof. Keep writing. Keep dreaming. And then, keep your chin up as your query. Your yes is out there. I knows it.

Tell me friends, are you writing or querying through the holiday or taking a break from everything?

Candylandalwaysadreamer. OUT.

P.S. Thank you to all who donated to J2W. Yesterday alone, donations that poured in will give FOUR families a bucket for clean water. Talk about a Merry Christmas.

Honey bees make the season pretty frickin' sweet

*Sidenote: Thank you JESS for donating this morning so I could reach my J2W goal. I lovelovelove you, and everyone else who donated*


Christmas is a time for giving. Well, stuffing your face, opening presents and giving. Melissa Gill is proof (not the stuffing your face, or opening presents). Today, I want to spotlight her efforts for making the Christmases of the elderly a little less lonely.

In Melissa's words:

"I start making the slippers right after Christmas every year. By November I ususally have about 50 pairs done. Then I sew them up and paint the bottoms with bees, (Melissa means honey bee, so that's my symbol). The fabric paint on the bottom makes them non-slip. I wrap them in tissue and but them in a celophane bag tied with curly ribbon. Finally, I attach a tag with a Holiday wish on it.

The tag says: These slippers were hand made by our knitting ministry. As they were created we prayed for you. We asked the Lord to let you know that you are not alone during the Holidays or the rest of the year. May they be a blessing and a comfort to you.

I don't get to deliver them all myself because sometimes they're taken to Holiday parties that are held while I'm at work, but it's a real joy when I do. The gratitude the people have is really overwhelming, no matter what color slippers they get, it's always their favorite color. It's really sweet.

Anyway, I really applaud everything you do to give back. There's nothing that feels better than helping someone else."

How about you friends, have you ever made something for someone at Christmas time? If not, do you know someone who has?

CandylandlovesMelissa. OUT.

Dear Santa, I've been a good girl so leave BR80 under the tree

When I think of giving, one family in particular comes to mind. With Christmas a few days a way, may a little of their spirit find its way to you...
(Sidenote: FEEL BETTER LITTLE DUDE. CANDYLAND LOVES YOU)

Quick Q and A with 11-year-old Lenny Lee and family

Q: The Lee family has donated a lot of time and money to J2W (thank you). Are there any other charities you donate time or money to that your passionate about?

A: We do lots of donation stuff. We do St. Judes and some other cancer ones and some mental health stuff. For animal ones we do National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, ASPCA, World Wildlife Fund and the Atlanta Humane Society. We also go to the shelter for homeless women and children lots.

Q: The holidays are tough for some people (even me). What do you do as a family to keep spirits up? Any family rituals?

A: We've been pretty sad cause mom died right at Christmas time so we didn't do much happy stuff for two years. This year were trying to get started on some new stuff and get our own traditions going. We did lights on our front windows for the first time. Yikes! Our house looks like a church up on the hill cause we got those church shaped front windows. Ha ha, I'm getting a little tree for the den and we got a new wreath on the door. It's just only a little but its got us getting some spirit back.

Q: If Santa could bring you 3 things, collectively as a family, what would they be?

A: Wow thats a pretty hard question cause sthere 6 of us. Mostly we could need a new garbage disposer cause ours is broke and we could need a new dish washer cause ours is broke. We could need another computer cause is just real hard sharing out one with all of us.

Q: If you were one of Santa's elves, where in the world would you visit first? 

A: First id go right at Candyland's house and surprise her for sure!! And I'd bring Br80 with me! Then I'd surprise all my blogger friends and go and say happy holidays right at their house. Wow! How cool is that!

A big thank you to my favorite little buddy and his beyond generous family. I'll be waiting by the Christmas tree on Christmas morning, waiting on my BR80, wrapped in a big bow (preferably shirtless). 

Tell me friends, what are your 3 wishes for Santa? 

As for me, my wishes are things money can't buy.

A) The agent who will sell my book

B) My father

C) My 2nd child

A girl can dream.

Candylandonthenicelist. OUT.

If you don't love this, I'll jolly your face

Dudes, so even after a CRAP-filled weekend, it's time for Jen's Be Jolly By Golly Blogfest and lucky for you, Candyland loves everything sweet, so this was a breeze. The jolly part, meh. You can visit the other delicious entries (the recipes, not the entrants) HERE.

But before you go, take off your shoes, stay awhile. Wait, do your feet smell? Maybe you should keep your shoes on. But kick them up, relax. Wait, do you have snow on your shoes? Keep them on the floor. Lean back, take a breath. Wait,...okay nevermind. Yesterday I made the motherloadeth of treat baskets for some sweet peeps.

One of those creations was my every-occasion AFTER P-P-P-PARTY POPCORN!

To make this super sweet treat, here's what you need:
-1 bag of popcorn, popped (obvs)
-1/2 large bag peanut M&Ms
-About 2 cups of mini marshmallows
-10-12 Hersheys kisses (you can substitute with any of your favorite candy for this one. Sometime sI use Reese Pieces)
-1 package of white baking chocolate (preferably the microwavable kind
-Super-sized bowl (not to be confused with the Superbowl) (that would be weird)

Here's whatcha do:
Melt the white chocolate according to package directions.
Shake out half of the popcorn into the bowl.
Place 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1/4 of the M&Ms and half of whatever other candy you use on top.
Drizzle liberally with white chocolate (you'll use a good amount)
Follow with the 2nd layer of everything.
Drizzle with white chocolate again.
Let harden (tee-hee).
When hard (tee-hee) break apart with a knife and ration into Ziplock bags or your mouth. I prefer my mouth.

It's so easy, my mom could do it. *insert thunderous laughter* I don't have any sweet pics of my decorations, or tree or really anything else. Nor do I favor any particular bev(erage). I sacked this crap up and put it in my baskets. I'm pretty sure they'll love it. If they don't, I've been polishing up on my king-fu.

There you haves it. Tell me, new friends, friends of old, do you have a favorite holiday recipe?
Candylandstuffed. OUT.

Feel Me Up Friday: I spray my eyes with nonstick spray...so they don't stick to things

Wow, one week until Jesus's birthday bash, can you believe it?<--I can't. Where did December go and more importantly, has anyone figured out where the missing socks disappear to when washed? There's a vortex in the universe, I swearz.

Anywho, I've yet to get absolutely anything worth a crap done but am determined to, this weekend. And note to my loyal readers: The week of December 27th, Candyland will be on a much-needed hiatus from just about everything interwebrelated. I will miss you, yesyes, but I will make sure there is something absofreakinhilarious (or something like it) (okay, maybe they won't be the funniest things you've ever seen) (I'll try) each day for your eyes to bathe in.

Random Fact: Whilst opening the non-stick spray, I squeezed the lid a bit too tight as it unhinged and the butter-flavored spray shot me in the eye. Now my eyes are in a constant state of blur.
Random Fact: I am, apparently, the mother who drops a kid's cookie at snack time, dusts it off and puts it back on his or her plate at the offspring's Christmas party...it seems normal until I notice other mother's eyes. Whoopsi.

After the way this week started, I'm surprised we made it to Friday! But let me tell you, IT WAS WORTH IT! I think I love you all more than every, if that's even possible. This weekend, I...er...uhh...Santa will be doing the present making crap. If only he could give everyone New Meds stickers, posters and CDs, all would be right with the world.


Tell me friends, is Santa done in your hood or does he need to crack the whip on the elves?
Candylandfeelsnormalagain (ifsheeverwas). OUT.

When I grow up...

So, as you can tell, Candyland has had a rough week, to say the least. But today is a new day and after a conversation with the offspring, I'm determined to perk the eff up. When I was little, I wanted to be a rock star, a veterinarian, a Mommy. But when I asked my baby what she wanted to be, she said a spider with hope bursting from her eyes.

I couldn't squash that.

So I told her she'd be the best spider ever if she works hard at it. It made me realize how simple it all really is. Sure, she may never actually be a spider (I hope), but my dream doesn't seem nearly as difficult to obtain now that I know what she's after (a close second, though).

So tell me, friends, when you were little, what did you LONG to be? Are you even close to living that dream now or did it change with time?
Candylandlookingonthebrightside. OUT.

I surrender

Dear friends,

There is no point at which I fall,
Except inside myself,
The sun bleeds into stars and I'm still here,
Still waiting,
Still hoping,

Another letter draws near,
I hold my breath and take a leap,
Until your words break my heart into a thousand pieces,
I'm losing sight,
Losing hope,

If tears could scream they'd say your name,
The salt would sting your ears, your lips,
My soul, my being I've placed with you,
I ache to the bone,
Out of breath,
Out of time,

Your words I grieve,
My dreams I bleed,
Today tomorrow, every day until the sun bursts into nothing,
My wish for change is not enough,
You really got me this time,
I surrender.

Tell me friends, are you celebrating writing highs or are you suffering writing lows? Do tell.
Candylandcontemplatingthiswritinglifething. OUT.

This is where I say something clever

My cat, Fimmus Eugene Ganger III, has taken up residency along the corner of the kitchen counter. He has serious OCD and every time I move him, he lays back to the same effing spot.

I've tried laying him on a soft, warm towel.

I created a cat bed he ignores.

I sweep him to another area of the floor.

I scoop him into my arms and position him somewhere more comfortable.

But he refuses.

Blame it on old age. Blame it on being a cat. But I blame it on him being a genuine a-hole. Why can't he be more like my own personal LOLCAT, Mamie?

It's possible they're both the reasons I have nothing of value to say today. Yesyes. #iblamethecats

Friends, do you have any jerk pets?
Candyland. OUT.

Taco Time is the best time

Dear friends,

Mondays are not my favorite day for a number of reasons.
1. The weekend is gone.
2. Five working days until the next weekend.
3. I'm mourning the aftereffect of Friday's show.
4. I desperately want a Keurig because my coffee maker makes crap coffee + I'm sleepy.
5. The word MONDAY makes me cringe. It even has the sound UHHH in it.
6. I have to wash my hair.
7. WORK.
8. It's the day my cat is voted most likely to spew. Seriously.
9. I think eight reasons is good but my OCD said create nine.

But, there's always a silver lining. Mine comes in the form of a slender, bass-playing, taco-eating, Ghana-traveling, John Irving loving machine.

Oh and did I mention he gives good hugs? :) And he has mad drawing skilllzzz, too...

So tell me friends, what do you think of MUUUHHHndays?
CandylandmissingMB. OUT.

Feel Me Up Friday: Can't. Think. Straight

SO, thank you, my beautiful friends, for giving Candyland a little lift yesterday. We all need one sometimes, and I really appreciate it. To those of you who missed it, YAY YOU! I'm going to make this short because all I can think right now is...
TONIGHT IS NEW MEDS! TONIGHT IS NEW MEDS! TONIGHT IS NEW MEDS!

And if the weather isn't stupid, I get to meet Kelly P in West Dundee at another New Meds show-WOO!

Random Fact: I have holes in every pair of socks I own. My feet are always cold.
Random Fact: I obsessively rearrange furniture in our house. Every few months, I have to.

Boring, yes. All I've got this week, yes. Thinking of New Meds, YESYESYESYES. They are my oxygen.

So here's to breathing. Tell me friends, what is one thing you do compulsively every so often (or everyday)?
Candyland. OUT.
P.S. If you're in need of editing services, give Jessica a shout.

Candyland is a place for the cheerful and a-holes alike

The holidays are a funny time of year. They bring out the best, and the worst in people. Of course it's a time of giving, but it's also a time for a-holes and Debbie-downers. No judgment here (unless you're an a-hole), because the winter weather, as much as I love thee, sometimes makes me blue. I've noticed in the past week my level of crankiness, sluggishness and overall Candyness has been on a downward slope.

Which is why I'm a big believer in giving back.

If you ever wonder why I talk (talk, talk, talk, talk) so much about donating time or money or blood, or bone marrow or a smile, it's because I truly think focusing attention on someone else when you're feeling down, helps. And there's going to be some of you saying BAHUMBUG. And depending on what time of the day (like morning...grrr), I'm right there with you.

And though it's not widely known outside of my beautiful blog community, the holidays have been REALLY hard ever since I found out about my father. The details are many, and make no difference to you, but the politics revolving around him, his death, and his mother who won't speak to me (even at Christmas), kind of make this is heart-wrenching time in Candyland.

But then I remember there's always someone who has it worse off.

Today, friends, I'm just having one of those BAHUMBUG days. So I encourage you to slap me around in the comments a little. Go ahead. Tell me a joke. A limmerick (Linda...). A Christmas story with a HAPPY ending. Or literally, just write *SLAP*


Candylandhastheblues.OUT.<---should totally be a country song

In Candyland, grace is something to be earned, not expected

So, we had a little accident here in Candyland.

Let me preface this by saying I am:
a) clumsy
b) overly anxious all the time
c) feels rushed 99.9% of my life
d) not the best with sharp objects

The night started as any other. The little one laid down to sleep, the hubs was in the front room fiddling with his iPhone and Candyland was preparing for a relaxing bubble bath to lull her to sleep. Okay, so this isn't a typical night, obviously, but it was set to be a good one.

I enjoy baths. A lot. And yaaknow, ladies sometimes rid themselves of excess hair with something called a razor. I ran out of the good ones. I only had a thin double-bladed piece of shizz. But I thought, what the hey.

Do you see where this is headed...

Fast forward ten minutes and a bloodied towel later.

Yes, I'm that girl. The one who can't be trusted with sharp, metal objects. It didn't hurt as bad as it looks, but (and not to gross you out) my leg still bleeds as I type this. It just won't stop. It's NAST. So with that, friends, tell me...any household accidents lately? I can't be the only spazz.

Candyland. OUT.

Eat a lot, give a little, dream of puppies. Because I said so.

It's that time of year again. You know, the suck-your-wallet-dry-because-baby-wants-another-Barbie-thingy-and-hubby-wants-another-snowboard-thingy time of year. Yes, Christmas. This year, while stuffing your face and *not* fitting into your stretch pants (yes, I'm talking to me), in the middle that gift list, consider giving to someone in need. There's so many great charities, like Joy 2 the World, that could benefit from your monies.

Today, I want to thank everyone who's contributed thus far. In fact, this post is for YOU. Change starts with one person. Sure, my holiday list has a Keurig on it. And some makeup (because I leave the house SO much), and socks and crap, but I will also go through the offspring's toys and donatedonatedonate.

If you're wondering why I'm so effing joyous, it's because yesterday, I received my Be The Match donor card in the mail. After months of processing, I am officially a bone marrow donor and let me tell ya, it feels GOOD.

So this holiday season, when you're listening to your New Meds CD (btw, I have like 500 promo stickers, so if you want some, hollaaa) and thinking about Candyland, give a couple buckeroos to one of these amazing organizations and your (metaphorical) stocking will be hung with care (not innuendo...meh...maybe it is).
-Joy 2 the World
-Be The Match Registry
-St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
-ASPCA
-Susan G. Komen for the Cure
-Shriner's Hospitals for Children


Give, and you'll feel as awesome as this:

So until tomorrow friends, with 18 days until Jesus's big birthday bash<--and presents-->what is ONE thing you will do to make someone's day brighter?

This is what it looks like...

To be 99.9% finished with revisions. <---hellsyeah

Which is why, my friends, I can't stay and chat. Until tomorrow, tell me (please).
*What did you do this weekend?
*What's the top want on your Christmas list?
*Do you miss me?

So....when will Candyland post a normal blog (have I ever)?

Candylandalmostfinished. OUT.

Feel Me Up: Letting it all hang out. Whoopsi.

Good Friday, friends. Thanks for all the input re: yesterday's post. It's good to know there's peeps in the same boat, and we all experience the same doubts. For the record, friends, Candyland doesn't know how to quit. I'm way too OCD to let go of something I've started. Especially if I'm sort of in love with it. Hence the hubs, the offspring, NM, and pretty much everything I touch.

Which is why we're going for a quicky today. I've gots me some work to do. Wash your hands with the new caramel apple soap I bought. It makes me want to eat my hands. Mmm.

Random Fact: Word of advice...don't use the bathroom with the door open, even if you think no one is home and/or no one can see you. This is nothing but problems.

Random Fact: I ordered the most amazing cinnamon French toast from Cracker Barrel, but couldn't finish so I got a box. It's possible when I got out of the car, in the rain, said French toast fell from the box and into the driveway...then went into the microwave and into my mouth. Just sayin'.

Okay, friends, tell me: Anyone ever walk in on you in the bathroom? Whoopsi.
Candyland. OUT.

What if I told you...

What if I told you, all your dreams will come true if only you'll stop obsessing? Could you do it? While revising over the past few days, I wondered if it's a bad thing to be consumed by a dream. Of course, I live my life. The super mommy thing, the hot wife who cooks amazing meals thing (yeah right), the two jobs-one course-one-blog thing, the New Medicine thing, the friends and fam thing and the me thing.

But, when it comes to dreams, ambitions, goals, I find myself doing the you-need-to-chill-out-before-you-croak-thing. I pray. Cry. Think. Hope. Wish. Work. Talk about. Pray. Cry. Think. Hope. Wish. Work. Talk about. Over and over and over until the thoughts sometimes consume me.

And what if it's still not enough?

What if I do everything possible, and still never get anywhere? Natalie's post yesterday really struck a nerve because I could want *it* more than anyone in the whole world, work harder than anyone ever has, and write the best book in history...and...it still might not happen.

That makes me throw up in my mouth a little.

Because of everything I have, am and will go through to make my dreams a reality, you could call me stronger, I guess. But the possibility of it never happening is sometimes too much to handle. It makes me want to cower before I even try.

Whether you want to be a published author or doctor, or mother or president or princess (okay, that one might be difficult) or Matt Brady's bass...

Tell me friends, does the possibility of never achieving your dream get to you? Would you let it stop you or die trying?
Candylandcontemplatinglife. OUT.

P.S. Speaking of dreams, go critique an anonymous excerpt over at Shannon's.

Talli is the splashiest of splashers

I don't usually do this. In fact, I NEVER do this. But Talli Roland has been with me from the start. She's smart, funny and so effing sweet. Help her book, yaaknow, do it's thang.

Help Talli!   Help Talli Roland's debut novel THE HATING GAME hit the Kindle bestseller list at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk by spreading the word today. Even a few sales in a short period of time on Amazon helps push the book up the rankings, making it more visible to other readers. Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/hNBkJk Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/hX2ieD No Kindle? Download a free app at Amazon for Mac, iPhone, PC, Android and more. Coming soon in paperback.  Keep up with the latest atwww.talliroland.com. About THE HATING GAME: When man-eater Mattie Johns agrees to star on a dating game show to save her ailing recruitment business, she's confident she'll sail through to the end without letting down the perma-guard she's perfected from years of her love 'em and leave 'em dating strategy. After all, what can go wrong with dating a few losers and hanging out long enough to pick up a juicy £2000,000 prize? Plenty, Mattie discovers, when it's revealed that the contestants are four of her very unhappy exes. Can Mattie confront her past to get the prize money she so desperately needs, or will her exes finally wreak their long-awaited revenge? And what about the ambitious TV producer whose career depends on stopping her from making it to the end?

Tell me friends, are you following Talli? If not, you should probably check your vitals 'cause you must be sick, yo.
Candyland. OUT.