Fabulous Friday, News & Fred

It's Friday. Woot! I have had a hellish sort of a week. What about you? Work has managed to squeeze every ounce of me these last few weeks, but guess what....I've still managed to get some writing done late at night. Hah! Take that world! This is no small feat for me, because between my family and running a business, writing is incredibly difficult to fit in. Which is flipping sad, isn't it? Eh, that's life. Anyway, I've tallied about 10K words in the last week possibly more. Hey, that's a pretty big deal for me. And to celebrate my small accomplishment, and because it's Friday, here's my happy dance:  

Source

Coming up

Underrated Treasures Blogfest:

Alex J. Cavanaugh's Underrated Treasures Blogfest is scheduled this Monday, September 22th.  Post about your favorite unknown MOVIE, BAND/ARTIST, TV SHOW or BOOK.  I'm participating and so can you.  Sign up here!

A-Z Challenge Blog Interview:

I'll be on the A-Z Challenge Blog being interviewed by the one and only, Alex J. Cavanaugh, about my classic monsters theme from this year's A-Z Challenge.  Remember that?  Yeah, good times.  I'll be reminiscing about those thirty days of hell  *clears throat*  writing those titillating posts about creepy, classic monsters.  If you missed them, click on my link of Creepy Classics.  Seriously though, the theme I chose this year was fun, which made the topic easier.  A-Z tip:  It's just like writing.  Pick a theme you love and it won't seem like work. :)  Anyway, I hope you stop on by on September 22nd.  Wahoo!  . :)

Downey Education Fund:  

Tina Downey's tribute was early this month, and wasn't it wonderful to see all the love and support from all the writers and bloggers in the blogosphere?  She was so loved, and she will be missed indeed.  I just wanted to mention again that Downey Education Fund has been created for her children.  If you can spare some money to support, I'm sure her family would greatly appreciate it.  Click here to donate.  And if you can't donate and you're a blogger, please consider adding this icon to your blog with a link to the donation page.  Thank you for your support!

Photo of the Week

This photo comes from Awesome Things in the World and boy is it awesome!  First question I have....do you know what these are?  (And no, you are not allowed to ask Elise Fallson...that's cheating!)  The second question I have is...can you write a caption?  Here's the one I posted.

"It's raining men! Hallelujah it's raining men. Amen!" 

Fridays with Fred:  Fred & Companionship

I think I've mentioned before about Fred getting older, becoming more grouchy and now he's having some health issues too.  He's fifteen years old so with his age comes a myriad of conditions.  *sigh*  That said, we does have good days.  Fred still gets frisky, palling around with his young whippersnapper friend, Spike.  What's it like have two Jack Russells under one roof?  Never a dull moment.

Do you have any plans this weekend?  Have any news you'd like to share?  Are you signed up for the Underrated Treasures Blogfest? Are you happy it's Friday?

Mina Burrows

Friday Mashup: Hemlock Grove, Twilight Humor, Healthy Writers Club & Fred!

It's Friday, minions.  What a crazy month so far.  What about you?  Let's get to it my Friday Mashup.  I've got werewolves, the Friday funny, Healthy Writers club and Fred to review with you.  So let's get to you.

Friday Review:  Hemlock Grove

I watched the Netflix Orignal Series, Hemlock Grove, and guess what?  I loved it!  No surprise there, huh?  There were some bleh parts but overall I really enjoyed it.  Without giving away too many spoilers, this is a horror series, plain and simple.  Yes, it has werewolves.  You can see that in the previews.  But what's killer is the twist at the end.  As you watch you know the Godfreys are evil, you just don't know what kind of evil.  This series reminded me of movies like the Shining.  It had that raw 70's feel to it that I found alluring.  The story is about a teenager, Peter, who moves to the town of Hemlock Grove with his mom.  His family are a bunch of gypsies and Peter, in particular, happens to be a werewolf.  In a town where bizarre is the norm, Hemlock Grove is loaded with werewolves  supposed-angels, demon-hunters, mystery, horror, sex, death and deception.  Trust me the list freaks in this town goes on and on.  Demented?  Yes.  Worth your time?  Yes.  Watch all 13 episodes of Netflix Original Series "Hemlock Grove" only on Netflix. The Monster Is Within. http://nflx.it/XkG5JC

Check out the trailer.

Friday Funny
Since we're on the subject of werewolves, I had to post this.  I found it on Pinterest and nearly wet my pants.  #classic

  

Check out the "Were" in the background.  He looks pissed, huh?  Let's see if we can do a caption for him.  Here's mine:  "I didn't get any tongue action!  Grrrrr."  Lol


The Healthy Writers Club

Shallee McArthur's meme, The Healthy Writers Club, is back! Since last month was A-Z, I missed a few HWC posts.  So my workouts are going okay, except I hurt my leg somehow which makes running very difficult.  I was trying some sprint conditioning and I think I strained a muscle.  For the last two weeks I've done very little running.  I hope it gets better.  Ever strain a muscle like that before?  Any suggestions to heal it?  And don't say stop working out.  I don't think I can do that now.  Exercise is the only stress relief I have and I don't think I can give it up.  Know what I mean?

Fridays with Fred

HeHe.  There's my buddy, Fred.  He's so tolerant of Spike these days.  Every now and then he issues a bark, growl or snap to assert his dominance.  Show 'em who's top dog, Fred!   :)

Be sure and stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a wicked weekend.  And be sure and call your mom!

Mina B.

Friday & Hoppy Easter Giveaway Hop

It's Good Friday and its also time for the Hoppy Easter Giveaway Hop.  We've got much to get through today so I'll do my best to be brief.  First off many people are celebrating Good Friday today (myself included) which I find kind of funny since I feel like every Friday is good.  That said, I'd like to get to my Friday Funny first...

Friday Funny - Peep Show
Bahahhaa!  I'm not sure if you can see the detail on this, but this is funny as hell!

The Healthy Writers Club

Thank you Shallee McArthur for another week of HWC.  I have two words that describe my progress with working out this week:  Spring Break.  My kids had off this week and although they had their Dad to hang with, it felt like I could barely get into the gym.  I've made it only three times this week and will shoot for a fourth over the weekend.  That's a must since it's Easter and I want my damn Cadbury egg! Mmmmm. YUM!

Friday with Fred

Fred's chill'n in my son's room.  Try not to step on a lego, Fred!  Spike is doing well except with the potty-training thing.  Yeah, that part sucks about puppies.  

Hoppy Easter Giveaway Hop

I'll keep it simple. I'm giving away to one (1) lucky winner a free $10 Amazon gift card.  My Free Sh** Fairy and I agreed that you can't go wrong with an easy-peasy GC like that.

And if you're also interested, I have another giveaway for Donna Galanti's THE DARK INSIDE that I'm running until 3/31 eod, so click here for details.

To enter my Hoppy Easter Giveaway Hop...
You MUST be a follower of my blog and MUST fill out this entry form.

Extra entries
+2 Like me on Facebook/AuthorMinaBurrows

+2 Adding me in  your circle on GooglePlus/MinaBurrows

+1 if you Retweet this on Twitter (limit 1 retweet)

Again, the giveaway starts at 12:01 AM EST on Friday, March 29th and runs through April 5th midnight. Contest is open to International participants.

Check out who else is participating. Visit http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/ and hop on by.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for participating!  Enjoy your Easter!

Mina B.

Friday Funny: I miss Buffy!

Happy Friday!  Okay so you know what a big Buffy fan I am, right?  I found this Buffy/Twilight meme and had a good chuckle.  I really do miss Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  I loved that show.  I get a kick out these funny memes comparing the two.  Flipp'n hilarious.        

Remember this episode with the mayor?  #love

 

The Healthy Writers Club

Shallee McArthur meme, The Healthy Writers Club, is here today!  Since I was sick last week, I missed out.  Anyway, this week was rough.  I felt like I earned every drop of sweat.  My legs felt like they had cinder blocks attached to them.  That's what happens when you don't work out for a week.  Still, I rallied and stuck to my schedule of four times a week.  I ran about 10+ miles this week and used some other machines too.  I'm feeling way more healthier than last week.  Whew!  

Fridays with Fred...and Spike?

Fred gets a friend!  Meet Spike!  I don't have any pictures of Fred and him yet.  I think Fred's still adjusting to his new shadow.  Don't worry about Fred.  He's still top dog and there is plenty of love to go around.  Spike was a surprise gift from my husband and my kids and I are enjoying every minute.  What do you think?  You like his name?  I can't help it.  I'm a die-hard Buffy fan.        

Be sure and stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

Friday - Saint Patty's Day Weekend

I apologize for not posting or visiting my blogger buddies this week.  The flu bug I picked up from my son turned out to be a heck of a virus.  With the weekend almost here, I'm finally feeling much better.  Man, that one really kicked my rear.  It's perfect timing since Saint Patrick's Day is this weekend!  Does anyone have any plans?  Are you a fan of green beer?  What about being pinched?  Do you wear green that day or do you not really care?  Me?  I always loved this saying:  "There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish and those who wish they were."  

Friday Funnies

Vampire Bill looks a bit like a wee leprechaun, huh?

Walking Dead on St. Patty's Day:  "Must...have...green...beer."

This has nothing to do with St. Patrick's Day, but I thought it was funny since its Friday.

Cute, huh?  And that Irish one looks a bit like Fred.

Fridays with Fred

Speaking of Fred, I took this shot of Fred twitching his nose.  Have you ever seen a dog do that?  So silly.  I love this crazy pooch.

Be sure and stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Happy Saint's Patrick's Day.

Mina B.

Hilarious Friday!

Okay so this week was a wash for me so thank god it's Friday!  Anyway, I found this and just had to laugh.  Are you a Downton Abbey fan?  I watched the first three seasons and was hooked.   I adore Maggie Smith and her portrayal of Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham is pure brilliance.  I wish she was in every scene because for me, she makes the show.  Season three's finale was a disappointment.  Seeing this comic strip put it into perspective for me.

Video Friday
I'm sure by now you've seen Sweet Brown's "Ain't no body got time for that" memes plastering the web.  Well, here's the original video clip plus the remix.  You may have already seen this but seriously I had to share this video.  I nearly had me in stitches. 

The Healthy Writers Club

Shallee McArthur created this weekly meme which I normally would have more to report, but this week I'm having to shift things around since my family has been sick with the flu.  I had it too but not as much as my little guy.  Things like this nearly always kill the momentum but what can I do?  Not a lot.  I ran about 6 miles so far and hit some other machines early on in the week.  That's it, but I'll try to get to the gym tomorrow and Sunday. *sigh*    

Fridays with Fred

Fred likes to run out the front door and check out the front yard.  On this day I caught him sitting enjoying the sun.  He's a happy dog. :)

Be sure and stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

Friday Musings

Hot Damn It's Friday!  This week flew by so much my brain thinks its Wednesday.  Ever have one of those weeks?  Anyway, I wanted to share a few things with you that have been on my mind lately.

Friday Funny
I saw this a few months back and every time I look at it, it makes me laugh all over again. I have not yet seen Skyfall. But I will soon. :) 

The Healthy Writers Club

I signed up to participate in the healthy writers group.  I notice that when I work out, it frees my mind to focus on plotting.  Working out helps with my stress and managing life.  I use to work out for diet and managing my weight.  Now I focus on releasing my stress which helps tremendously with writing.  My typical workout is four times a week and the majority of that consists of me running about 12+ miles per week.  My vices are chips, salsa and wine.  Damn!  Oh, well.  I'm trying.  Special thanks to Shallee McArthur for creating such an awesome meme.

Neil Gaiman - Calendar of Tales

Gaiman gets the notion of connecting with readers. I love this project he's working on. Gaiman says to click here to "download a free PDF of all twelve of the stories I wrote in three days of madness."

Fridays with Fred

Fred got busted on the my daughters peace bean bag and I had to laugh.  I guess it is kinda like a dog bed.

  

Be sure and stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

Holiday Friday & Fred

Friday Funny!  Okay well, my manuscript is off to my editor where she'll no doubt rip it to shreds.  I thought this funny was fitting.  I'd say Santa is my manuscript, and I am the reindeer.  Yes, my manuscript has decidedly kicked my ass this holiday season.  

Fridays with Fred

A few weeks ago, I posted how I busted Fred eating the turkey carcass.  Below was his punishment   Hehe.  
Yeah, he didn't think the punishment fit the crime...but we sure did.  LOL.  He's too darn cute, isn't he?

Stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

Friday Funnies, Warm Bodies Trailer & Fred

Happy Friday, minions!  Aren't we all happy it's Friday?  I am.  First, let's start with our Friday Funny.  You should know by now how much I worship Joss Whedon.  I have a Buffy the Vampire hoodie to prove it.  (Geek alert.)  Anyway, I love JW's response to the question below. 

I knew there was a reason why I loved JW.  Are you a fan too?

Warm Bodies Movie Trailer & Book

Have you seen the Warm Bodies movie trailer?  Better yet, have you read the book by Isaac Marion?  Here's the book premise: 

R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, noidentity, and no pulse, but he has dreams.

After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and stragely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world.

Scary, funny, and surprisingly poignant, Warm Bodies is about being alive, being dead, and the blurry line in between.

And here's the movie trailer of Warm Bodies from Summit Entertainment.

Have you read the Warm Bodies book?  What do you think about the trailer?  Thumbs up or down?

Fridays with Fred - Busted again!

The day after thanksgiving, Fred was a bad dog.  Why?  I threw out the turkey carcass in a trash bag and left it by the garage door for my husband to take out.   Well...Fred found it, tore it open and devoured the bag of bones.  FRED...(cue in Phineas and Ferb's Candace here) YOU ARE SO BUSTED!

Fred was arrested and later released for good behavior.  His only penance was a tongue lashing, a sour stomach and then later the worst set of gas a human could endure.  Oh, Fred. :(

Never a dull moment.  Has your pooch ever done this?

Stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

Fred Update & other Fun Stuff

Hi, minions.  Happy Friday!  Today I wanted to feature a few things.  First off...Fred!  He's back by popular demand.  I haven't done a post in a couple of months because, frankly, Fred's not as obliging as he used to be.  It seems he's a bit prickly in his senior years, but who can blame him?  That said, I'll post when I can and have placed him on the side of my blog for those die-hard fans to catch the latest glimpse.  For today's Friday, I did capture a shot of him the other day.  We had 60 degree weather, and my JRT got filthy dirty and had to have a bath.  Poor buddy.  Anyway, afterwards, he couldn't stop shaking so I swaddled him in one of his jackets.  

Damn, I'm cute!

Be sure and stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Friday Funny!

And the Friday Funny below sums up how my week went.  I'm betting if more people wore hats like the bear below, we'd be know to steer clear of them, huh?

Cool Giveaway!  

Beth Revis, author of the NY Times Bestselling Across the Universe series, is hosting a wicked YA book giveaway that I just have to scream out to the world.   She's giving away to one (1) lucky winner a fifty...50 of some of the hottest YA books!  Isn't that waaay cool?  How do you enter?  Visit her blog for details at http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/.  Be sure to tell your friends!

Have a great weekend!

Mina B.

Feeling Funny Friday & Fred

Happy Friday, minions!  Well, my hubster sent this to me the other day and I couldn't stop laughing.  You may have seen it before, but that's neither here nor there.  The point is it's worth reposting.  Be sure and click on the image to enlarge & read every arrow on "How a Book is Born."  Hilarious!

Click Image to Enlarge

Friday's with Fred
My man picked up a play pool for the summer and I think Fred's claiming this toy--the pool not the ball!

Stop by and say hi to Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too. Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

Friday Funnies & Fred

Thank the Lords Friday is here.  Even though I have a hectic weekend planned, I'm still thankful that its Friday.  Since it's a chill day, I thought I'd share with you a few Friday funnies that a friend of mine sent me.  Every week she sends me a litany of texts, peppered with images that she pulls from the web--probably from Pininterest.  Anyway, they always make me smile so I thought I share a few with you.  Enjoy!

And with HBO's True Blood season 5 premiering on Sunday, I couldn't resist posting this one.

Fridays with Fred
Last but not least...Fred!  Summer break is officially here for my family.  My daughter started this week and my son is off as of yesterday.  Yikes!  Fred and I are bit terrified.  Right, Fred?  

Don't fret, Fred.  I still have to work and the kids have summer camp.  Silly, doggie!

Be sure and stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.  She's so flipp'n cute!

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.