Tag Archives: fun

May24

TENDER TUESDAYS

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TENDER TUESDAYS

POST CRUISE SHIP BRIDGE LESSONS

                                               -Anyone Playing?

Welcome back to the Post Script of Cruise Ship Bridge Lessons.  I wonder if I’ve totally put you off enrolling in bridge lessons aboard after reading about our instructor, Christine, last week. I certainly hope not!  Believe me, she’s still in my head when I deal a game!  This memorable character left quite an impression on all of us!  My husband says I shouldn’t have been so polite when I mentioned one of the male passengers had declared, “Christine, you scare the ” s_ _t ” out of me!”

All teasing aside, our cruise did come to an end after 58 short days! My husband and I experienced a bit of emotional reluctance … Read the rest

May17

TENDER TUESDAYS

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TENDER TUESDAYS

CRUISE SHIP BRIDGE

                               – YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO PLAY…

Welcome back to Part 2 of CRUISE SHIP BRIDGE. This segment introduces my readers to a whole new level of lessons. Let’s just say, it was a darn good thing that I started off with the instructors and the forgiving friends that we began with on the first leg, as the intensity was about to be ratcheted up by about 100%.

The first day that we were abandoned by all the fantastic friends we’d met and with whom we enjoyed playing and socializing, we felt somewhat lost. We knew we had all the Australian ports to look forward to and experience, but we weren’t entirely convinced we’d make the … Read the rest

May11

TENDER TUESDAYS

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TENDER TUESDAYS

CRUISE SHIP BRIDGE

-The GOOD, The BAD & The UGLY!

Part 1

Last fall, my husband and I embarked on a trip of a lifetime. Our cruise ship left Vancouver, British Columbia and travelled through the South Pacific Ocean and Islands, ending up in Sydney, Australia. But that was only the first leg of the trip. We then circumnavigated the entire continent of Australia visiting Bali, Indonesia and Komodo Island, as well. The entire cruise lasted 58 days! And I know what you’re thinking… What could this couple possibly do on a small ship (1200 passengers) with all those sea days between ports? Well, let me tell you, we were never bored; in fact, husband Ryan often complained of being … Read the rest

Feb22

Say Your Name

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Say Your Name

Say Your Name

One is constantly barraged with requests to “SAY YOUR NAME”. The problem is that some of us have had a few name changes over the years, and on a distracted day, one could inadvertently blurt out one of those previous names… I’m saving those stories for another post!

My first “change of name” experience happened on the first day of school.  The teacher was confronted with 2 MARY LYNNE students.  She made an on the spot judgement call, announcing that I would be MARY from that day forth, and the other little girl would be LYNNE.  It stuck.  I lost my dual name that day and never looked back. Albeit, my mom continued … Read the rest

Jul8

SUMMERTIME IS BOOK TIME

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SUMMERTIME IS BOOK TIME

If you’ve been perusing the titles of books on Amazon, you will see the tag, “SUMMERTIME IS BOOK TIME” at the bottom of each of the titles’ ads. Like most people,we carve out more leisure time to read in the shade, poolside, or at a beach during the summer months. It’s also when you sign up your kids/grandkids into a Summer Reading Program at the library. As an author, its the perfect time to promote my Middle Grade Frenchie Series! These novels inspire tweens (ages 9-12) to read for entertainment. Readers relate to Ethan’s antics and scheming to own a bulldog, and realize that they too can write blogs about their passions.

I have a summer gift … Read the rest

Oct13

AN ATYPICAL THANKSGIVING

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AN ATYPICAL THANKSGIVING

I don’t know how your family celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving, but I’m almost certain it didn’t resemble the one I experienced this year.

Most of us conjure up a vision of an elegant, cozy, homey dinner of stuffed turkey and homemade pumpkin pie. The table set with autumn decor, a crackling fire adding ambience to the delicious, mingling aromas.

Of course nobody considers the harried cook in the over-heated kitchen frantically mashing potatoes, carving turkey, stirring gravy, and trying to have all the feast fixings laid out on the dining room table before it cools and congeals. Thanksgiving dinner pressure – that’s the real picture.

Well, wipe that image from your mind and conjure up, instead, a family of three couples: … Read the rest

May3

Dog Friendly Travel Ideas

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Dog Friendly Travel Ideas

Summer holidays are fast approaching and we all seek great ideas for traveling with our families (human kids and fur kids, alike). What you may not know is that http://www.themetrip.com/-dog-friendly.html is a site that offers Travel Tips for everyone, including FUR KIDS.  In fact, the site is so popular that Lorraine Hawley has published a book jammed pack with great ideas for the entire family: Product Details

Explore theme-style activities and adventures. “Themetrips,” are activity ideas that you can use to create your own memorable and interactive family fun while at home or on vacation.

Check out her recent Dog Friendly Post, as there is an AWESOME  SURPRISE!  Frenchie’s Best Friend- Follow the Blog is recommended  (BK. #1 of the Frenchie Series)… Read the rest

Jan28

Free eBooks of Frenchie Series- Bks. 1 & 2

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Free eBooks of Frenchie Series- Bks. 1 & 2

Accept the gift of the first two eBooks of the Frenchie Series.  The books are available at

https://www.smashwords.comuntil Feb. 14, 2014 for free.

FRENCHIE’S BEST FRIEND- FOLLOW THE BLOG: Enter the Coupon Code DC85B before completing checkout.

FRENCHIE X2- FOLLOW THE BLOG:Enter the Coupon Code GZ32U before completing checkout.

Frenchie X2 Cover

Who enjoys reading the FRENCHIE SERIES?

·                           tweens (ages 9-12)

·                           librarians

·                          teachers

·                         parents

·                        grandparents

·                        pet lovers

     If you like a family-read that entertains and makes you laugh aloud, then the FRENCHIE SERIES are the   books for you!

Once you have enjoyed Books 1&2, Mary Laudien is hopeful that you will be keen to read her newest release: FRENCHIE DIVA- FOLLOW THE BLOG… Read the rest

Jul1

Summer Reading Program at Nanaimo Wellington Library

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Summer Reading Program at Nanaimo Wellington Library

If you’re a 9 to 12 year old  you will want to join

Mary Laudien at NANAIMO WELLINGTON LIBRARY

This is an author visit for absolutely anyone who likes having FUN, reading HUMOROUS BOOKS and is GAGA over their PET (French Bulldogs, in particular!). Mary is writing her third novel in the Frenchie series and she is excited to share her first two books with anyone who meets the above criteria!

 

$6.99                                                                            $9.99

If you own a pet or are a “pet- owner wannabe”, you’ll make a personal connection with the hilarious and chaotic contemporary fiction in this series. Listen to some hysterical readings from Frenchie’s Best Friend- Follow the Blog and the sequel Frenchie X 2- Follow … Read the rest

Jun6

CHAPTERS in NANAIMO

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CHAPTERS in NANAIMO

                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m SO PUMPED!  Yes, this is me checking out my first book, “Frenchie’s Best Friend- Follow the Blog” on the shelves at CHAPTERS in Nanaimo.  What a thrill!  If you are on the Island or visiting, please look for my book in the Local Artist’s fiction section.  I’m hoping that all twenty copies disappear quickly and then you’ll be able to buy Frenchie X2, to find out why the fun and chaos just couldn’t end with Book One.  HAPPY SUMMER READING!

 … Read the rest