Carl and Ellie - Heroes & Villains [B.1.1]

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“How’s the boyfriend?” Carl asked looking over his granddaughter. Ellie looked up from the antique chess board they were playing on.

“He’s fine, grandpa.” Ellie sighed, lowering her eyes again to look over the board.

“Still won’t come to our Sunday morning game parties I see?” Carl asked, shaking his head. Ellie focused her attention on Carl and scowled.

“I’m not getting into this again.” Ellie sighed.

“I just don’t understand why he doesn’t like me,” Carl replied, attempting to keep his voice light, though Ellie could hear the annoyance behind it.

“Neither do I,” Ellie admitted. “But I love both of you, and I’m not picking sides in this.”

“But I feel inclined to remind you again, you’re my only grandchild and I want to be able to visit any great-grandchildren you may have. So you better make sure he doesn’t keep me from your babies.” Carl said. Ellie groaned.

“Still not getting married, grandpa.”

“But you’re still living with him?” Carl asked. Ellie nodded. Carl’s returning smile was weak and insecure. “It’ll happen soon enough then.” Ellie rolled her eyes and shook her head.

It was a never-ending conversation between them, one that Ellie actively fought to keep quiet. Carl wanted her married with kids soon, but Art had particular opinions on both marriage and children that made Carl’s requests seemingly impossible. The fight between both of them had gone on for years and Ellie was tired of it all. She had perfected the art of changing subjects whenever things came to this topic.

“How’s work going?” Ellie asked. Carl let out a sigh.

“They may be cutting back wages again,” Carl replied. Ellie frowned, a wave of anxiety boiling in her abdomen. “I would leave but I’m too old to find something else. But enough about my work, what’s been going on with yours? Art called me one night asking if you were over here, but come to find out you were working late.”

All-Natural With Zak Detox Deodorant [Giveaway Closed]

Words can not describe the mix of excitement and anxiety that filled me while taking these photos. For the majority of my life, I have been the girl who wears makeup constantly. And I mean constantly. Beaches, lazy days, I'm pretty sure I even wore makeup to have surgery last year.

But today's post is all about being healthy and all-natural so I took photos in my bedroom in my Chewbacca pajamas and with natural hair and no makeup. It was slightly terrifying posting this, but I'm happy with how it turned out... and even more happy to offer a giveaway with Zak Body Care for you!!

As some of you may recall, near the beginning of this year I did my first real giveaway with Zak Body Care. I tested out their original deodorant, which I promptly fell in love with, and then I was able to give one away to one of my amazing readers!!

Well, today I'm happy to announce I'm not only doing a giveaway but am also offering a code to buy your own Zak's Detox Deodorant for a discounted cost! I love all my readers and want you all to be able to try out a natural and healthy deodorant!

Zak Body Care is a company that I am so happy to work with. The people I have worked with through this experience have been so kind and helpful. This is a company that gives great customer service while providing a quality product.

All of Zak's Detox Deodorants are:

• Aluminum free,
• Cruelty-free,
• GMO-free,
• Paraben free,
• And are made from 100% natural ingredients.

Zak's website states: "Deodorant should promote health, not undermine it."  It's amazing what horrible ingredients products can get away with these days. Health risks can be found in almost any product. So it's nice to find a company focused on promoting health and natural ingredients instead of chemicals.

Being all-natural can sometimes be a change. Whether it's taking photos makeup-less (and bra-less) or trying out a new deodorant, it's a change. For my husband, putting "all-natural" on a product turns him off to it. He doesn't believe that all-natural things are worth the hype. But for Zak Detox Deodorant, being all-natural isn't any gimmick or fad, it's a quality deodorant that keeps you, and your skin healthy.

This time around, I tested out the new Super Smooth formula. And while I was already a fan of their original formula, I like this one so much better. The application is much easier. It glides on with no effort and, just like the original, it lasts all day with no stink! With my new job, I'm on my feet a lot and there's a lot of stress, but this deodorant keeps my stress-sweats from being any issue. I promise you, this new formula is worth trying out.

I'm so excited to be able to share this new formula with one of you FOR FREE! I love receiving free things and I'm sure you do too. But even if you don't win, remember you can still get your own Detox Deodorant at a discounted cost with the code below.

This giveaway will run from today until November 30th. There are multiple ways to gain entries into the giveaway, a few are mandatory but some are just for fun. (And one you can do every day for additional entries!) All information on the giveaway and its rules are listed below.

Good luck to you all! Stay tuned for more fun stuff coming to my blog soon! 

For those who already know they're going to love this new formula, you can buy your own by CLICKING HERE and enter the code ZAKDANCE20 to get 20% off your purchase! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you still reading? Want something else "super" in your life? Check out my short story series about superheroes by CLICKING HERE. Okay, that was a terrible, very shameful plug, but I had to do it. Sorry. But honestly, read it. I know I'm the one who wrote it, but I still think it's pretty awesome and a new story is being posted tomorrow!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Giveaway ends 11/30/2016. Open to legal residents of the US only. Winner will be selected at random by Rafflecopter.com and be notified by email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected.  I will make every effort to assist you in obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with receiving your prize, please notify this blog within 30 days for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you. The product provided for the review was free of charge from the company. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to Kaylee Farnes and Zak Body Care. I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

It's My Birthday!

Happy November 4th! Isn't is just the greatest day of the year? That's the biggest lie I've ever told on my blog. I have not been excited for today, seeing as how one year ago today I lost my child. But over the past few weeks, my excitement for my birthday has gotten better, because it's a new year, a new me, and I've been healing and doing so much better lately. It's still a hard day, obviously, but I'm happy that it's a day where everyone gets to celebrate me. Ha ha.

Some people might look at this shirt and think, "Yay, fall colors!" I look at this shirt and think "Yay, Kaylee colors!" I am rarely comfortable wearing anything that isn't black or gray, so while this outfit does not match my normal attire, the colors of this outfit do feel very comfortable for me, which is happy and good. It's most important to wear what makes you feel comfortable, inside and out.

And if you're sad there aren't a ton of pictures, it's because I had two dogs attacking me for the majority of this shoot. Zoram loves living with his Aunt Molly and playing around with her every day. He's also a bad influence on her. Shh, don't tell my dad.

Oh, if you read every part of this blog, just know there is no Heroes & Villains story tomorrow. It's not over (it will never be over) I just need to space out the next few stories to make the timing work. But never fear, it will be back on the 12th. Just enough time for you to catch up if you haven't read the stories already.

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Cardigan: Target

Shirt: Target (Exact match)

Pants: Target (Exact match)

Shoes: Kohls (Practically identical match)

SIMILAR PIECES UNDER $50:

Resolve - Charity of the Month November 2016

Hello, friends! Did you think Charity of the Month was gone? Well, you're wrong. It will never be gone. Helping people was my sole reasoning for starting this blog. So that's what's happening. It just struggles sometimes, because since my blog readership is low I feel like it doesn't make much of a difference, which is the exact opposite of what I should be thinking. We, as humans, should help other humans for the sake of helping other people. Even if we never make a dent in the real problem, a single donation is better than no donations.

That's my rant for the day. Just kidding, a lot of this post is a rant.

Anyway, November is weird for me this year. As many of you know, one year ago I had a miscarriage. And, as you also may know, I am not pregnant again. When it's been a year, I get asked occasionally (though I don't recommend asking anyone this) "Are you concerned about infertility?"

Infertility is a concern of mine. If you are curious, I am seeing a doctor this month to verify I don't have infertility problems since it has been a year since my miscarriage. Though I don't believe that infertility is my problem. I firmly believe a lot of it has had to do with never getting closure on my miscarriage, until July. And depression. That damn depression thing I have ruins a lot of things.

Sorry, getting off track here.

While I'm not sure if I am infertile, I do know people who are. And I know the pain and struggle of not being able to get pregnant. Trust me, I know it very, very well.

I recently found Resolve, the National Infertility Association and wanted to highlight them as the Charity of the Month for November.

Everyone should have the right to start a family. A lot of my religion is about families, which is what makes my particular situation so difficult, seeing as every Sunday they talk about families and kids... a lot. It's exhausting to sit there every week and not cry. And while the world finds pregnancy so normal and easy, it's not easy for everyone.

There are so many women out there who struggle to get pregnant, or can't even get pregnant at all. But people never talk about it.

This past year I had a miscarriage and my sister-in-law had a stillbirth. And no one talks about either of those things.

I understand why. It's because it's so difficult to talk about. I physically couldn't talk about my miscarriage for months because it was just too painful. Losing a child in any way is heartbreaking, whether you got to hold them or not. And it's something that needs to be discussed more. Because I know I'm not the only one. There are so many other women out there who have had a miscarriage, or a stillbirth, and have struggled to get pregnant again.

If you are like me and struggle to get pregnant, get yourself checked out. Don't procrastinate it like I have out of fear and pain. Make sure that if something is wrong that you know about it, so you can be prepared for the struggle. Don't suffer in silence.

And if you have infertility problems, know that there are options for you. And that you are not alone. Nor will you ever be alone in your struggle.

Resolve give you information, references, and choices.

Their website is filled with information. If you want to know more, I highly recommend checking their website and taking the time to do your research, because information is out there. If you are struggling to get pregnant, find the information that you need and don't procrastinate it. If you are ready to start or grow your family, then take action.

The three main things that Resolve does that I fully support are as follows:

• Raising public awareness of the issue of infertility.
• Breaking down the financial barriers that hold women back from getting infertility treatment.
• And offering support to all who need it.

If you are suffering from infertility I urge you to visit Resolve's website and get the information that you need. 

Now, whether or not infertility is an issue for you, I want all of you to CLICK HERE and make a donation to Resolve. (And bonus, through November 11th your donation will be doubled!!) For all you know, your donation could help someone start their family.  

And if you want to go even further, check out Go Fund Me where there are literally thousands of couples asking for donations to help them fund their infertility treatments. I have a friend who is currently using Go Fund Me to help her get the money she needs to help start her family. You could honestly make a difference in someone's life by the smallest donation. 

I'm so happy that I get to use my birthday month to raise awareness for an issue that is very close to my heart. Everyone deserves to start their family, but not everyone can do it without help. Every little donation makes a difference, no matter how small. So make your donations and maybe you'll help start a life.