tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85991103248479522412024-03-14T14:08:14.870-05:00Kelly PolarkKelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-59180124316832234092021-06-19T21:03:00.001-05:002021-06-19T21:03:20.864-05:00Top Five Ways That You Can Enhance Your Kindergartner's Literacy Skills At Home<p> As a children's author and kindergarten teacher, literacy is one of my passions. I am close to completing my Master's of Education in Literacy from the American College of Education. The following video is an assignment from one of my courses that I believe will guide incoming or current parents of kindergarten students. Please view my video for tips for parents, grandparents, and guardians in helping enrich literacy skills at home with their four, five and six year-olds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gCRmnHqHinU" width="487" youtube-src-id="gCRmnHqHinU"></iframe></div><br /><p>Thank you for viewing! Reading rocks!!</p>Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-27830836958288690842019-01-01T07:00:00.000-06:002019-01-02T11:48:19.499-06:00What I read, watched and rocked out to in 2018!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYtjkfs4Qnc/XCVYhkpNTYI/AAAAAAAAMsQ/lIxhw-SIQqAKMsv9JEaYAciM6eB49gpaQCEwYBhgL/s1600/bitmojikel2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="398" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYtjkfs4Qnc/XCVYhkpNTYI/AAAAAAAAMsQ/lIxhw-SIQqAKMsv9JEaYAciM6eB49gpaQCEwYBhgL/s320/bitmojikel2019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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2018 was a trying year. But of course, good times as well. </div>
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Here's to a healthy, happy 2019 for all of us!<br />
My next book comes out NEXT MONTH!<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhmI6WutoOQ/XCz5RdaJC_I/AAAAAAAAMtk/_AB0bxjISCwU-D6Jzl98B8pRNjo_a-8wgCLcBGAs/s1600/BeyondCabinFourteen%2B200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhmI6WutoOQ/XCz5RdaJC_I/AAAAAAAAMtk/_AB0bxjISCwU-D6Jzl98B8pRNjo_a-8wgCLcBGAs/s200/BeyondCabinFourteen%2B200x300.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
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Below is my usual list of what I read, watched, and the many concerts I attended in 2018!</div>
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What were your favorite reads, shows or events of 2018?</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b><u>BOOKS</u></b> – 9</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Broken Little Melodies by Jennifer Ann</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">No Relation by Paula Carter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A Dying Machine by Mark Tremonti and John Shirley</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-paPGo5NSeyk/XCxBr_U_1wI/AAAAAAAAMtQ/RqXTupilebwkjnBdEBvgWkqZN5Vg0f46QCLcBGAs/s1600/adyingmachine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-paPGo5NSeyk/XCxBr_U_1wI/AAAAAAAAMtQ/RqXTupilebwkjnBdEBvgWkqZN5Vg0f46QCLcBGAs/s200/adyingmachine.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">My signed book by Mark Tremonti!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When We Touch by Tia Louise</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b><u>MOVIES</u></b> – Total at the theater 6</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Black Panther</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Solo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Avengers Infinity War</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Antman and Wasp</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A Star is Born</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bohemian Rhapsody</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b><u>TV</u></b></span></div>
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My fave network shows right now are Life in Pieces and Modern Family.</div>
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I also watched</div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Atypical -seasons 1 and 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ozark season 1</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Little Drummer Girl</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">True Blood – my favorite series of all time! Currently rewatching. (On season 5/8)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bird Box</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fa2ff1thQDs/XCVYlE8yTKI/AAAAAAAAMsU/QqecC63AfkQ-vGCvA_FAKg3QqyOH61OgwCEwYBhgL/s1600/ericn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="750" height="198" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fa2ff1thQDs/XCVYlE8yTKI/AAAAAAAAMsU/QqecC63AfkQ-vGCvA_FAKg3QqyOH61OgwCEwYBhgL/s200/ericn.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b><u>CONCERTS</u></b>- Total –14</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Papa Roach (16th time)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Daughtry </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buckcherry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Harry Styles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Foo Fighters</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Niall Horan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buckcherry</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dp-bx0pzLg/XCVYeRxnX9I/AAAAAAAAMsM/phSTvPLUjmwy-QO_tD0qe-bjizZNYqYswCEwYBhgL/s1600/bcaug2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="750" height="198" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dp-bx0pzLg/XCVYeRxnX9I/AAAAAAAAMsM/phSTvPLUjmwy-QO_tD0qe-bjizZNYqYswCEwYBhgL/s200/bcaug2018.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Buckcherry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buckcherry (19<sup>th</sup> time), Alien Ant Farm, POD, Lit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tremonti</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tremonti and Ten Years</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kip Winger</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fight the Fury</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Winger</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Daughtry (8<sup>th</sup> time)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And I even got to sing onstage again with Kip Winger this year!</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yZJqiPzFUnE/XCVa7fP_BII/AAAAAAAAMso/xv0EzB3rZZUi_MuCT7tJcb5lvs8AWl0WACLcBGAs/s1600/kipnkel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yZJqiPzFUnE/XCVa7fP_BII/AAAAAAAAMso/xv0EzB3rZZUi_MuCT7tJcb5lvs8AWl0WACLcBGAs/s320/kipnkel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Check it out here! https://www.instagram.com/p/BpKCMtTH0Q2/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Happy 2019 to you!</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-36750336721711391142018-12-21T07:24:00.001-06:002018-12-21T07:24:24.852-06:00Cover Reveal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqFy2PSc1b0/XBzpBDfqvaI/AAAAAAAAMrw/EPVuSzjIA7QdAQ3dQpt8XTF7tVfeC_sZgCLcBGAs/s1600/Beyondcabincover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqFy2PSc1b0/XBzpBDfqvaI/AAAAAAAAMrw/EPVuSzjIA7QdAQ3dQpt8XTF7tVfeC_sZgCLcBGAs/s320/Beyondcabincover.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Here's the amazing cover of my middle grade novel from Vinspire Publishing! </div>
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Coming February 28, 2019!!!</div>
<br />Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-91206270971668177032018-02-20T07:00:00.000-06:002018-02-20T07:00:02.236-06:00What I read, watched, and rocked out to in 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uha6vS7TL3s/Wot0AV66W0I/AAAAAAAACXI/nXKbUwF0je4ybmNX4xbGNFntMi6MD-X1ACLcBGAs/s1600/2017%2Bin%2Breviw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uha6vS7TL3s/Wot0AV66W0I/AAAAAAAACXI/nXKbUwF0je4ybmNX4xbGNFntMi6MD-X1ACLcBGAs/s320/2017%2Bin%2Breviw.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's sort of still the beginning of the year, right? Good! So let's get onto my usual wrap up of what I read, watched, and rocked out to in the previous year!<br />
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First...<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">BOOKS</span> </strong>– Total 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">BIG LITTLE LIES by Liane Moriarty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">THE INEVITABLE COLLISION OF BIRDIE AND BASH by Candace
Ganger<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">THE HANDMAID’S TALE by Margaret Atwood<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">THE LAST GUY by Tia Louise and Ilsa Madden Mils<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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I'm a little embarrassed at the lack of reading I did the past year! But all good books. <br />
I did have a busy 2017 though. Teaching kindergarten full time. My oldest graduated high school! Attending and chauffeuring my kids' activities. I visited Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, the Bahamas. And I started my National Board teaching certification process.<br />
But dude. Even so. I promise to read more this year. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">MOVIES </span></strong>– Total at the theater 6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kong: Skull Island<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wonder Woman<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 2<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Lego Ninjago Movie<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thor, Ragnorok<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Star Wars: The Last Jedi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of these with one or more of my kiddos! My top three were Wonder Woman, Thor and The Last Jedi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">CONCERTS</span></strong>- Total – 13!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, music is my therapy, my passion. I totally rock out and sing at the top of my lungs to decompress. So this is obviously where my entertainment dollar went to this year.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kip Winger- Yes, that's me singing with him! Ahhhhhh!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSqnFTKTO8Y/WotzKdAYb5I/AAAAAAAACWo/s1aRR-aXRusQD8hwyHraEZufaIHJg2b-gCEwYBhgL/s1600/kipsingingoneminute.mov" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSqnFTKTO8Y/WotzKdAYb5I/AAAAAAAACWo/s1aRR-aXRusQD8hwyHraEZufaIHJg2b-gCEwYBhgL/s320/kipsingingoneminute.mov" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Winger (twice)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Third Eye Blind</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott Stapp, Trapt, Sick Puppies<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buckcherry (for the 16th time)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Daughtry and Nickelback<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ed Sheeran (9th row!!)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Josh Todd and the Conflict (twice)</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0U8IBmxLk9I/WotzLdY2Q_I/AAAAAAAACWs/IEGGFLsSY08y_-9IVgRxe1xGBzcVs5BFwCEwYBhgL/s1600/jtconflictnme.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0U8IBmxLk9I/WotzLdY2Q_I/AAAAAAAACWs/IEGGFLsSY08y_-9IVgRxe1xGBzcVs5BFwCEwYBhgL/s320/jtconflictnme.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dua Lipa<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Papa Roach (for the 14th and 15th time)</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3zN84opemM/WotzTL8YEdI/AAAAAAAACW4/97ZTW7ajU80jJH-ye_7B5ARG5mkz_T4GwCEwYBhgL/s1600/proach2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="960" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3zN84opemM/WotzTL8YEdI/AAAAAAAACW4/97ZTW7ajU80jJH-ye_7B5ARG5mkz_T4GwCEwYBhgL/s320/proach2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, that's my year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What were your fave <span style="font-size: large;">books, movies, and concerts of 2017?</span></span></div>
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Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-18843233034891583672016-12-29T06:44:00.000-06:002016-12-29T08:36:46.727-06:00What I Read, Watched, and Rocked Out to in 2016<br />
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My blog has been rather dormant this year, but I have not been! I've been busy teaching kindergarten, editing my middle grade novel, being a distributor for It Works health and wellness products, momming my three awesome kids, and all this below!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is my annual list of what I read, watched, and rocked out to!</span></div>
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<strong><u>BOOKS READ</u></strong><br />
I mostly read in the summer or on school breaks, so the list isn't as long as I'd like, but I read some amazing books this year!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">ROOM by Emma Donoghue (need to still see the movie!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">YES, PLEASE by Amy Poehler<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">ONE TO KEEP by Tia Louise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">ELEANOR AND PARK by Rainbow Rowell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON by John Green and David Levithan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING by Nicola Yoon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">BLUE LILY, LILY BLUE by Maggie Steifvater<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">SIGN OF THE GREEN DRAGON By C. Lee McKenzie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">THIS ONE MOMENT By Stina Lindenblatt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS by Ann Brashares <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">THE RAVEN KING by Maggie Steifvater<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">PERFECT TIMING By Robin Mellom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">SEVEN DEADLY SINS by Corey Taylor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">THANKS FOR THE MONEY by Joel McHale</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Oh! And looky! Here's me with that handsome and hilarious author/actor Joel McHale!</span></div>
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<u><strong>MOVIES WATCHED</strong></u></div>
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I am happy to report that I read more books than watched movies this year!</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Magic Mike XL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rogue One (Sigh. Very sad about Carrie Fisher.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong><u>CONCERTS ATTENDED</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And you know my huge passion for my rock music. Concerts are my therapy for sure. Here are the bands I saw live this year! (And a sidenote: been dancing to George Michael tunes for the last few days. What a loss for the music world!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Justin Bieber (yes, I have a teenage daughter)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Skillet (a five dollar concert- man, they rocked it!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buckcherry - 5 times! (my total count of Buckcherry shows is 15 now)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sebastian Bach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Me and the Buckcherry boys</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Goo Goo Dolls/Safety Suit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Click <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMnQRzEjrll/?taken-by=kellypolark">HERE</a> to see me singing with Doug, the lead singer of Safety Suit! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><strong>WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS, MOVIES, AND CONCERTS OF 2016?</strong></span></div>
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Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-21146147108629711952016-05-04T06:00:00.000-05:002016-05-04T16:12:55.399-05:00Wild, Wild Midwest Conference 2016This writer finally attended another SCBWI conference, and it was amazing! I feel like my brain is still processing and downloading all the wonderful information I learned there this past weekend.<br />
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Here's a quick rundown of my whirlwind weekend:<br />
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1. Look! I came prepared to learn from the wonderful Cinda Williams Chima, author of many bestselling books, including the <em>Shattered Realms</em> series. I attended her Ensnaring the Wary intensive, and learned so much about how to strengthen my middle grade manuscript.<br />
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2. Roaring Twenties Party!<br />
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What a fun way to start the weekend! The Charleston was taught. I danced to some Prince songs. And SO many fabulous costumes. So fun to mingle with so many talented people! Here is YA writer and friend, Gwen Flascamp, and I (photo taken by the wonderful Linda Sue Park - who was a speaker and part of the faculty. I attended an amazing session of hers on Saturday).<br />
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3. Saturday was jam-packed with session after session. I loved learning from agents, editors, and authors. Also, the attendees raised almost $4000 for the <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/weneeddiversebooks?source=feed_text&story_id=1017957258240987"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">WeNeedDiverseBooks</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/wndb?source=feed_text&story_id=1017957258240987"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">WNDB</span></a> cause, funding diversity programs and publishing internships. Pretty awesome, right?!<br />
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4. Art Show Saturday Night<br />
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Beautiful art by illustrators were showcased. Here are some fave art pieces and people I met that night! Illustrators <a href="http://www.themattvincent.com/">Matt Vincent</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/michaeltrujilloart/?fref=ts">Michael Trujillo</a>, middle grade novelist, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kwpenndorfauthor">KW Penndorf</a>, and YA writer, <a href="http://d96literacylink.blogspot.com/">Gwen Flascamp</a>! We had such a blast!<br />
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5. Sunday sessions and critique pick up!<br />
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Even more amazing sessions on Sunday plus a thorough critique of my manuscript by faculty of the conference.<br />
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If you haven't attended a conference in a while, don't wait! I came back with so many ideas to strengthen my manuscripts, met so many wonderful people and contacts, and am so INSPIRED by the weekend!<br />
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Happy Writing!<br />
<br />Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-40486230305221910032016-01-06T06:29:00.000-06:002016-01-06T06:37:18.482-06:00What I read, watched, and rocked out to in 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy New Year, friends! I hope 2015 was good to you, and I hope 2016 is even better. <br />
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2015 was busy. I taught kindergarten and reading, helped coach my son in basketball, went to three weddings in June, hosted a Spanish exchange student, chauffeured and watched my kids play sports, and traveled to Arizona, Iowa and Wisconsin. My newest picture book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Green-Witch-Kelly-Polark/dp/0988846268/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452048395&sr=8-1&keywords=i%27m+a+little+green+witch">I'M A LITTLE GREEN WITCH</a> was released in September. I became an It Works! distributor (I'm healthier!). And I finished the year wrapping up my rough draft of a middle grade novel on December 31. I'm determined to make more time for writing and improving myself in 2016.<br />
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Here is my usual what I read, watched and rocked out to throughout the year!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bark Until Heard by Becky Monroe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Insurgent<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Spongebob Movie<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Home<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Avengers: Age of Ultron<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Inside Out<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Minions<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">AntMan<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Vacation<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Goosebumps</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Star Wars: The Force Awakens (3x)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>CONCERTS<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Buckcherry for the 10th time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Papa Roach 2 times in January</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Seether<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sixx Am/Apocalyptica</span><br />
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Taylor Swift/Shawn Mendez</span><br />
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Kip Winger (see below)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14IzSXv5k1s/Vox-4J38ImI/AAAAAAAACP0/3-dLm8Ru0D4/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14IzSXv5k1s/Vox-4J38ImI/AAAAAAAACP0/3-dLm8Ru0D4/s200/019.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">and Papa Roach (for the 13th time)/In this Moment/Pop Evil </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Jo6xF3bH_E/Vo0KYbEkf2I/AAAAAAAACQM/tLCNzLcPHjs/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Jo6xF3bH_E/Vo0KYbEkf2I/AAAAAAAACQM/tLCNzLcPHjs/s200/067.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><strong>What were some of your favorite </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><strong>books, concerts, or movies of 2015? </strong></span></div>
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Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-77446098003804058392015-11-09T06:30:00.000-06:002015-11-09T06:30:01.019-06:00Mondays Music Moves Me: Movie SoundtracksMondays Music Moves Me is something I stumbled upon last month. How cool that <a href="http://www.xmasdolly.com/">Xmas Dolly</a> hosts this twice a month! Today's theme is Movie Soundtracks. This is such a great theme with so many possibilities!<br />
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As you can see, I had trouble narrowing songs down for this theme.<br />
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First is "A View to A Kill" by Duran Duran from the James Bond movie soundtrack of the same name. Did you know that when that movie came out, I went to it fully expecting to see Duran Duran somewhere in it? Yup. Spoiler alert: they weren't in it. But this cool song was!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a3pQDMi4W-g" width="420"></iframe>
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Speaking of the 80's, I listened to the movie soundtrack <em>Purple Rain</em> quite a bit. All are great tunes, but my fave from the movie is "Let's Go Crazy." I couldn't find a youtube video though to embed!<br />
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Next is "American Girl" by Tom Petty from Silence of the Lambs. I cannot hear that song without picturing the girl in her car singing it before becoming a victim!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YS3xOmI1Plk" width="420"></iframe>
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We rarely take a road trip without blasting this song from <em>Vacation</em> at least once!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Co0pMJHqC4s" width="560"></iframe>
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And lastly, who can't listen to this Queen song without banging their head like Wayne and Garth in <em>Wayne's World</em>! :)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VzUU7SRRsGo" width="420"></iframe>
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I'm noticing my picks are all from the way past! I guess I need to see more current movies!<br />
Though I did love the rockin' <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Avengers-Assemble-Various-artists/dp/B007UTALJ4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8">Avengers Assemble</a> soundtrack. It had some of my fave bands like Papa Roach and Buckcherry plus Bush and Evanescence!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3zVYU-A8OaA" width="560"></iframe>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z5sm8P3Sgak" width="420"></iframe>
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Visit<a href="http://www.xmasdolly.com/"> Xmas Dolly</a> for move links of songs from the movies! What's your favorite song from the movies?Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-19879725742934178702015-10-26T06:59:00.000-05:002015-10-26T07:07:53.894-05:00The Listing Hop!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkeYpD7EC-s/Vi4Qao3uIRI/AAAAAAAACO4/3CpH52uJ3Zo/s1600/Rock%2Bn%2Broll%2Blove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkeYpD7EC-s/Vi4Qao3uIRI/AAAAAAAACO4/3CpH52uJ3Zo/s320/Rock%2Bn%2Broll%2Blove.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Welcome to the Listing Hop! Looking forward to seeing everyone's lists!<br />
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If you've been here before, you know I love music.<br />
So my list is a list of all (probably most, I may have forgotten a few) of the bands I've seen and how many times!<br />
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Here goes! In ABC order even! I told you I love music! Papa Roach is at the top of the list with 13 times live!<br />
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30 Seconds to Mars (5), 3 Doors Down, 5 Seconds of Summer, Aerosmith,
Christina Aguilera, Alice Cooper (2), Alter Bridge, Anberlin, Apocalyptica, Avenged
Sevenfold (4), Sebastian Bach (2), Bad Company, Pat Benatar (2), Big Time Rush,
Black Eyed Peas, Blondie (2), Bon Jovi, Brides of Destruction, Buckcherry (10),
Bush, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Chevelle (3), Chicago, Coheed and Cambria, The
Connells, Crash Kings, Creed, Sheryl Crowe, Daughtry (5), Def Leppard,
Disturbed (2), Dokken (2), The Donnas, Dovetail Joint, Duran Duran (4), Eve 6,
Foo Fighters (2), Lita Ford, Goo Goo Dolls (2), Great White (2), Guns n Roses,
Halestorm, Hollywood Undead, Hoobastank, Billy Idol, In This Moment, INXS, Jet,
Billy Joel, Elton John, Juke Kartel, The Killers, Kiss (2), LA Guns,
Lovehammers (2), Maroon 5, Bret Michaels Band, The Monkees, Motley Crue (8), My
Chemical Romance (2), Vince Neil solo (4), Nelson, Neon Trees (3), New Medicine
(3), New Politics, Otherwise (2), Our Lady Peace, One Direction, Owl City, Ozzy
Osbourne, Panic Channel, Papa Roach (13), P!NK, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>P.O.D., Poison (3), Pop Evil (2), Prince,
Puddle of Mudd (2), Queensryche (2),Ratt, RED, REO Speedwagon (2),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rockstar Supernova, Gavin Rossdale, Safety
Suit, Saliva (2), Mike Sanchez, Saving Abel, Scorpions, Seether (3), Seven Mary
Three, Shinedown (2), Silvertide, Cody Simpson, Sixx AM (2), Skid Row (2),
Slash, Slaughter (2), Smashing Pumpkins, Rick Springfield, Billy Squier, Stone
Sour (2), Styx (3), Sum 41, Survivor (2), Taylor Swift, System of a Down,
Tantric (2), Third Eye Blind (2), Three Days Grace (3), Justin Timberlake, The
Plain White T’s, Toadies, Trapt, Tremonti, The Tubes, Van Halen (2), Velvet
Revolver, Warrant, Weezer, Weird Al Yankovic,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whitesnake (3), Kip Winger (3), Winger (2)<o:p></o:p></div>
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I told you I love music! Here's a song for <a href="http://www.xmasdolly.com/">Xmas Dolly's Monday's Music Moves Me</a> Halloween edition! Love MCR and this creepy song!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z1FHpCs8tD4" width="420"></iframe>
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And speaking of Halloween, my newest picture book, I'M A LITTLE GREEN WITCH is available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Green-Witch-Kelly-Polark/dp/0988846268/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1445858097&sr=8-2&keywords=a+little+green+witch+little">amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-a-little-green-witch-kelly-polark/1122609368?ean=9780988846265">barnesandnoble.com</a> and select bookstores!<br />
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Have you seen any of these bands live? What was your last concert?<br />
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Check out more links for lists <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/2015/10/listing-hop-top-ten-things-you-wont.html">here</a> and <a href="http://bish-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/">here</a>! Congrats on eight years of blogging, Bish!<br />
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Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-59962240874171751222015-10-23T06:00:00.000-05:002015-10-23T06:00:06.351-05:00Poetry Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TZny4emtgjo/VhxGRApT_XI/AAAAAAAACOA/6NFdcUtdnbc/s1600/poetry%2Bpumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TZny4emtgjo/VhxGRApT_XI/AAAAAAAACOA/6NFdcUtdnbc/s1600/poetry%2Bpumpkin.jpg" /></a></div>
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Today I have my own poem to share from my new Halloween picture book, I'M A LITTLE GREEN WITCH! Halloween is big in our house, so I really wanted to write a book that my kids would enjoy. I'M A LITTLE GREEN WITCH is a collection of Halloween inspired nursery rhymes and songs. I recently was a guest author at a local school, and the kids loved guessing which nursery rhyme each poem was based upon.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dYjoT72ETyA/VhxGUEQpkBI/AAAAAAAACOE/iSZzT5rt4fc/s1600/I%2527m%2Ba%2BLittle%2BGreen%2BWitch%2Bcover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dYjoT72ETyA/VhxGUEQpkBI/AAAAAAAACOE/iSZzT5rt4fc/s320/I%2527m%2Ba%2BLittle%2BGreen%2BWitch%2Bcover.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's I'M A LITTLE GREEN WITCH, the first in the collection.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9tw1GxAzBdA/VhxF-Ln9dbI/AAAAAAAACN0/4_UwsnRGIaI/s1600/greenwitchtextpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9tw1GxAzBdA/VhxF-Ln9dbI/AAAAAAAACN0/4_UwsnRGIaI/s320/greenwitchtextpic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's me reading another poem from the collection.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yTZ-hJeiLjE" width="560"></iframe>
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Can you guess which nursery rhymes or songs I based those two on?<br />
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You can purchase I'M A LITTLE GREEN WITCH on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Green-Witch-Kelly-Polark/dp/0988846268/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444693607&sr=8-1&keywords=i%27m+a+little+green+witch">amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-a-little-green-witch-kelly-polark/1122609368?ean=9780988846265">barnesandnoble.com</a> and select bookstores!<br />
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Poetry Friday is being hosted by Jama at <a href="http://jamarattigan.com/">Jama's Alphabet Soup</a> this week. Stop by for more wonderful poetry!<br />
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Enjoy the tricks and treats of this Halloween season!Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-76280687046080073622015-10-20T06:02:00.000-05:002015-10-20T06:02:00.171-05:00Demon's Ink<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-txZ6kXJi7kk/ViRLcr0vsjI/AAAAAAAACOY/UYYMTaOkT-Y/s1600/demonsink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-txZ6kXJi7kk/ViRLcr0vsjI/AAAAAAAACOY/UYYMTaOkT-Y/s320/demonsink.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Do you want a paranormal YA for Halloween? How about DEMON'S INK by my blogger friend, Kimbra Kasch!<br />
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Here's the spooky premise:<br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1445111214275_2199" style="color: black;"><em>There are lots of dangerous things hanging (or, maybe I should say, <b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1445111214275_2198">dangling)</b> around Portland lately but, when a Demonic tattoo artist comes to town, everything goes to Hell, in </em></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Demons-Ink-Evil-Kim-Kasch-ebook/dp/B012P2R5G2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438314249&sr=8-1&keywords=demon%27s+ink+by+kim+kasch" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1445111214275_2214" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1445111214275_2213" style="color: blue;"><u id="yui_3_16_0_1_1445111214275_2212"><em>DEMON’S INK</em></u></span></a><span style="color: black;"><em>. </em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><em> </em></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1445111214275_2201" style="color: black;"><em>This young adult novel set in Portland, Oregon is available on Amazon now and with Halloween coming, you'll want to have a story to share...</em></span></div>
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1445111214275_2205" style="color: black;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>DEMON'S INK: It's about art, that's more than anyone bargained for. </em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em> D</em></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1445111214275_2107" style="color: black;"><em>rake and Bartos come to the Pacific Northwest, where they open yet another tattoo shop but Bartos has no trouble dealing with the competition because there’s nothing normal about his art. And he’s stealing more than clients from the local skin artists. He's stealing their souls.</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black;"></span><br clear="none" /></em><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1445111214275_2109" style="color: black;"><em>Customers fall in love with Bartos Slinderman’s tats but end up paying the ultimate price for their purchase because unlike Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray, they can’t walk away from this art and it’s beautiful until the artwork takes on a life of its own...</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Tattoos are cool, but YIKES! I stayed up Friday night reading this book! There's a bit of a love triangle as well as the mysterious happenings. You can purchase Kim's book on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Demons-Ink-Kimbra-Kasch/dp/192797349X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445111483&sr=8-1&keywords=demon%27s+ink">amazon.com</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/demons-ink-kim-kasch/1122402964?ean=2940152283433">barnesandnoble.com</a>!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hf5b7NnsoWQ/ViRLhi6CFWI/AAAAAAAACOk/7jN7vdDqMW0/s1600/kimkasch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hf5b7NnsoWQ/ViRLhi6CFWI/AAAAAAAACOk/7jN7vdDqMW0/s320/kimkasch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Go visit Kim at her <a href="http://kimkasch.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, too! Speaking of tattoos, do you have one? I have one tiny heart tattoo. Hope to get another someday. But NOT from anyone named Bartos!</div>
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Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-36841623562820851742015-10-16T06:00:00.000-05:002015-10-16T06:00:00.578-05:00Poetry Friday <div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_561be39fc1da13547660310">
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Charles Ghigna is such an amazing author and poet, and I enjoy his poetry posts as well as the gorgeous paintings he shares of his son, Chip. Ghigna's poetry is featured frequently in children's magazines from the Cricket group and you can see his wonderful books including his newest release, A CARNIVAL OF CATS, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=charles+ghigna">available here</a>.<br />
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Below is an original poem that writers, artists, and all creative souls can certainly relate to.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jEYzhLFtvI/Vhvnme_WtqI/AAAAAAAACNA/xjdKKQvrnPc/s1600/chipghignaart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7jEYzhLFtvI/Vhvnme_WtqI/AAAAAAAACNA/xjdKKQvrnPc/s320/chipghignaart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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THE SPARK OF DIVINITY<br />
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Inspired thoughts climb toward the light<br />
As new ideas begin;<br />
Creation comes from inside out,<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Not from the outside in.</span><br />
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©Charles Ghigna<br />
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Painting: “Golden Moon”<br />
-<a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1005090086" href="https://www.facebook.com/chip.ghigna">Chip Ghigna</a><br />
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Visit Charles at <a href="http://charlesghigna.blogspot.com/">Father Goose Books</a>. See more beautiful art at <a href="http://chipghigna.com/">ChipGhigna.com</a>. I hope one day to own an original!<br />
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Poetry Friday is being hosted by Amy at <a href="http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/">The Poem Farm</a> today. Stop by to click on more wonderful poetry links!<br />
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Enjoy this fabulous fall Friday!</div>
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Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-63450732827829501822015-10-06T06:12:00.000-05:002015-10-06T06:12:00.374-05:00I'm A Little Green Witch is here for Halloween!It's October, and it's the perfect time for a Halloween book! We love Halloween in our household, and that is the reason why I wanted to write a book for this fun holiday.<br />
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My newest picture book, I'M A LITTLE GREEN WITCH, is a spooktacular collection of 14 Halloween themed nursery rhymes or songs for your little ghoul or boy!<br />
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Here's the amazing cover! The vibrant illustrations are by Kelli Ann Little!<br />
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And here's a sneak peek! I recently was guest author at a local school, and the kids loved guessing which nursery rhyme each poem was based on.<br />
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If you do have the book and you can't figure out which nursery rhyme or song a poem is based on, here's a list! <br />
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I'm A Little Green Witch - to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot"<br />
Willa's Wild Ride - to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"<br />
Willa Had a Stinky Cat - to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb"<br />
Trick or Treating - to the tune of "London Bridges"<br />
Flutter, Flutter, Little Bat - to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"<br />
I've Been Digging in the Graveyard - to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad"<br />
Batty Cake - based on "Patty Cake"<br />
The Bats Go Flying One by One - to the tune of "The Ants Go Marching"<br />
Little Jack Mummy - based on "Little Jack Horner"<br />
Hiss! Hiss! Black Cat! - to the tune of "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep"<br />
Hairy, Scary Spider - to the tune of "Itsy Bitsy Spider"<br />
Willa the Witch - based on "Humpty Dumpty"<br />
Little Girl Green - based on "Little Boy Blue"<br />
The Boogeyman - to the tune of "Muffin Man"<br />
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Also, I'm giving a signed copy away on Goodreads! Enter here! <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26248184-i-m-a-little-green-witch">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26248184-i-m-a-little-green-witch</a><br />
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You can also purchase I'M A LITTLE GREEN WITCH on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Green-Witch-Kelly-Polark/dp/0988846268/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444089640&sr=8-1&keywords=i%27m+a+little+green+witch">amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-a-little-green-witch-kelly-polark/1122609368?ean=9780988846265">barnesandnoble.com</a> and select bookstores! Check out my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKellyPolark">Facebook page</a> for more book updates!<br />
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Enjoy fall, y'all!Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-56433288960530718002015-06-12T09:04:00.000-05:002015-06-12T09:04:00.541-05:00Poetry Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, fellow poet lovers and hello, summer! Today is the first Friday I have at home since school was dismissed last week. I taught kindergarten for the first time and absolutely loved it! I was also able to attend my cousin's wedding in Arizona last weekend and read PAPER TOWNS by John Green on the plane ride home (and finished in bed later that night). One thing I loved about the book is Green uses excerpts of Walt Whitman poems throughout the book, and I love that young readers will now know the poetry of Whitman because of this book (which is also a movie coming out next month).<br />
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So today for Poetry Friday, I give you a Walt Whitman poem. Not one from the book above, but one that caught my eye when I was perusing his poetry this morn.<br />
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<span><a href="http://www.poetry-archive.com/w/a_noiseless_patient_spider.html">A NOISELESS, PATIENT SPIDER</a></span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892)</span></i></b><br />
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<dt><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="24" naturalsizeflag="3" src="http://www.poetry-archive.com/a_pic.gif" width="26" /> NOISELESS, patient spider,
<dt>I mark'd, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated;
<dt>Mark'd how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding,
<dt>It launch'd forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself;
<dt>Ever unreeling them--ever tirelessly speeding them.
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<dt>And you, O my Soul, where you stand,
<dt>Surrounded, surrounded, in measureless oceans of space,
<dt>Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing,--seeking the spheres, to connect them;
<dt>Till the bridge you will need, be form'd--till the ductile anchor hold;
<dt>Till the gossamer thread you fling, catch somewhere, O my Soul. </dt>
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Have you ever read a more beautiful poem comparing one's soul to an arachnid?<br />
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You can find links to other posts of poetry at the Poetry Roundup at <a href="http://jamarattigan.com/2015/06/11/poetry-friday-roundup-is-here-4/">Jama's place</a> where you can always find something yummy! Have a wonderful weekend!<br />
Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-67720835672770932412015-01-07T10:06:00.000-06:002015-01-07T10:07:52.897-06:00What I read, watched and rocked out to in 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>2014 in Review!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Happy New Year to you all! I am starting the new year with a wonderful new job as kindergarten teacher in my own children's school district. In the past I've been a third grade teacher, stay-at-home mom for 11 years, a teacher's aide for kindergarten and Early Childhood, and a preschool teacher, too (all that I truly loved-I'm pretty lucky). But I have wanted to be a kindergarten teacher since I was 20 years old and my junior practicum assignment was kindergarten with an amazing teacher! I wanted to be her so badly! And now I am! Cheers to you all in this new year!</span></div>
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This post lists the books, movies, and concerts of 2014. Surprisingly it's the first year in a while that I watched more movies than read books! </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Read some amazing
books by blogger buddies this year!!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Control by Lydia Kang</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wish You Weren’t by Sherrie Petersen</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Before You Break by Christina Lee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Fault in Our Stars by John Green</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">MOVIES!</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I saw ten movies in
the theater which is probably a record! Also, saw more movies than read books
this year. Sorry, brain!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Divergent</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dallas Buyers Club</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Wolf of Wall Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Neighbors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mockingjay Part 1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>CONCERTS!</strong></span></div>
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<strong>Saw</strong> <strong>some faves (saw Buckcherry for 9th time and Motley Crue
for 7th and final time) and finally saw The Toadies and Alter Bridge for the
first time!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Toadies</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Alter Bridge</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Daughtry/Goo Goo Dolls/Plain White T’s</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">One Direction/Five Seconds of Summer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Buckcherry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Motley Crue/Alice Cooper<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(two nights in a row- Crue’s final tour!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><strong>What were your fave books/movies/music of 2014?</strong></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<br />Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-60189317884923634372014-12-05T06:55:00.001-06:002014-12-05T06:55:13.146-06:00Poetry Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="" class="jm-O-x" height="640" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eXhU8qDPhpY/VHlSW1EMPgI/AAAAAAAACGs/-LujAV_dck4/h120/idol%2Bpuzzle.png" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; top: 0px; transform: rotate(0deg); width: 120px;" width="640" /></div>
<br />
I haven't participated in Poetry Friday in a while, which is a shame, because I LOVE poetry! I've been busy teaching preschool this year, so my mind is on the very younger set while writing poetry.<br />
Here's a number poem about a kid favorite - the puzzle!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">PUZZLE
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">One piece, two piece</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Three piece, four</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">All together </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">On the floor.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Five piece, six piece</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Seven piece, Eight</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s almost done.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can’t wait!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nine piece, ten piece</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">They all fit.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’m finished now.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">What is it?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">- by Kelly Polark, all rights reserved</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">*Adorable illustration by Kelli Ann Little from picture book, ROCKABET: CLASSIC EDITION </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">(turned into a puzzle by me)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanks so much for stopping by! Go find other poems to read <a href="http://asuen.com/blog/" target="_blank">HERE</a> at today's poetry roundup at Anastasia's Booktalking blog!</span></div>
<br />Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-27674482522779645602014-12-01T10:03:00.000-06:002014-12-01T10:03:15.828-06:00A Memoir, A Mutant, and a Manuscript Maven!<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_741136151" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="jm-O-x" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8a7AMxane2o/VHlZ5J6kJvI/AAAAAAAACG8/d2LhbF1HHLE/h120/DSC00521.JPG" style="height: 120px; left: 0px; top: 0px; transform: rotate(0deg); width: 183px;" /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_741136150"></span><br />
My friend and fellow blogger, Samantha Verant had an amazing October. Her debut memoir, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Letters-Paris-Samantha-V%C3%A9rant/dp/140229722X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417238203&sr=8-1&keywords=seven+letters+from+paris" target="_blank">SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS</a>, was released as well as her debut middle grade novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/King-Mutants-Samantha-Verant-ebook/dp/B00NLKPNRG/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416965260&sr=1-3&keywords=SAMANTHA+VERANT" target="_blank">KING OF THE MUTANTS.</a> (Yes, that is a photo of us taken six years ago in Chicago!)<br />
<br />
Let me tell you about the two books!<br />
<br />
SEVEN REASONS I LOVE SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS<br />
1. Sam is one witty author.<br />
2. The story made me laugh, sigh, and even tear up.<br />
3. So yes, there is heartbreak, but there is much laughter and love, too.<br />
4. Amazing story about second chances.<br />
5. It embraces the lost art of letter writing.<br />
6. There's a place in France where Sam likes to dance. (Maybe or maybe not)<br />
7. I'm mentioned in the acknowledgements!<br />
<br />
<br />
KING OF THE MUTANTS<br />
I haven't read all of Sam's King of the Mutants yet (I've read the first few chapters long ago!), but I will because my son is getting it for Christmas! Here's the scoop:<br />
<div>
<em>Maverick Mercury is the sideshow attraction known as “Gator Boy” at Grumbling’s Traveling Circus and Sideshow. Despite being routinely kicked around by the other performers, Maverick has always been comfortable in his skin. That is, until he overhears Burt Grumbling talking about him behind his reptilian-like back. It seems Maverick’s freakish mutations are the result of some billionaire geneticist’s experiments gone awry. Apparently, this guy kidnaps kids, turns them into supermutants, and sells their powers to the highest bidder. Now, Maverick is on a mission to find the mad scientist who may have created him. All he has to do is steal some wheels from Burt, escape the clutches of one-eyed Yorgi and his gang of killer clowns, and make his way from some Podunk town in Florida to the Big Apple.</em></div>
<br />
So happy for Sam on her double book whammy in October!<br />
<br />
<br />
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!<br />
<br />
I have big news about my blogger friend, Sharon!<br />
<img alt="Sharon Johnson Mayhew" class="profilePic img" src="https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-1/p160x160/14937_10202555104424325_5514755721544233781_n.jpg?oh=7a1fcf1623f2b15cf20aff6270f1612d&oe=551135C9&__gda__=1426424072_9c894b4317557441b5fe3bad1bc6f0da" /><br />
The wonderful <a href="http://skmayhew.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sharon Mayhew</a> has started an editing business called THE MANUSCRIPT MAVEN! Don't you love the name?! She has critiqued many of my manuscripts, and I highly recommend her. Check out her new website <a href="http://www.themanuscriptmaveneditor.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
<br />Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-68527357598051361872014-10-20T07:31:00.000-05:002014-10-20T07:31:03.688-05:00Happy birthday, Lenny!<div style="text-align: center;">
A very cool and special blogger turns fifteen today!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGAsXBH8wf0/VET9UNsaxtI/AAAAAAAACFc/Pb_Hpg25hsU/s1600/sun%2Bcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGAsXBH8wf0/VET9UNsaxtI/AAAAAAAACFc/Pb_Hpg25hsU/s1600/sun%2Bcake.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy birthday, Lenny!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lenny, I hope you get fifteen hugs, fifteen bites of cake, fifteen minutes playing video games (okay, more), fifteen smiles, fifteen songs, fifteen fist bumps, fifteen happy emails, fifteen texts that make you laugh, and fifteen (and more) bloggers celebrating you today!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(And here's a virtual hug, smile, and fist bump from me to start!)</div>
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</div>
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Visit <a href="http://skmayhew.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sharon Mayhew's blog</a> to see more bloggers who are celebrating Mr. Lee today!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-86528224746020732832014-10-14T06:00:00.000-05:002014-10-14T06:00:03.634-05:00GUESS THE TRUE STATEMENT & WIN JESSICA BELL’S THRILLER, WHITE LADY! (Statement #78)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F6Lc09ZcsVA/VCx5CeTBgyI/AAAAAAAACE0/9BJa0voROe8/s1600/whiteladycover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F6Lc09ZcsVA/VCx5CeTBgyI/AAAAAAAACE0/9BJa0voROe8/s1600/whiteladycover.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">To celebrate the release of Jessica Bell’s latest novel,
WHITE LADY, she is giving away an e-copy (mobi, ePub, or PDF) to the first person
to correctly guess the one true statement in the three statements below. To
clarify, two statements are lies, and one is true:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">One of Jessica Bell’s
many nicknames in her early twenties was ...<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a.</b> Jezebel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">b.</b> Bessie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">c. </b>Jessica Rabbit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;">What do you think? Which one is true? Write your guess in
the comments, along with your email address. Comments will close in 48 hours.
If no-one guesses correctly within in 48 hours, comments will stay open until
someone does.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Want more chances to win? You have until October 31 to visit
all the blogs where Jessica will share a different set of true and false
statements on each one. Remember, each blog is open to comments for 48 hours
only from the time of posting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">If you win, you will be notified by email with instructions
on how to download the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Click </span></i><a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/white-lady-blog-tour-participants.html"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria;">HERE</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> to see the list of blogs.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">ABOUT THE BOOK:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">*This novel contains coarse language, violence, and sexual themes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Sonia yearns for sharp objects and blood. But now that
she’s rehabilitating herself as a “normal” mother and mathematics teacher, it’s
time to stop dreaming about slicing people’s throats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">While being the wife of Melbourne’s leading drug lord and
simultaneously dating his best mate is not ideal, she’s determined to make it
work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It does work. Until Mia, her lover’s daughter, starts
exchanging saliva with her son, Mick. They plan to commit a crime behind
Sonia’s back. It isn’t long before she finds out and gets involved to protect
them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But is protecting the kids really Sonia’s motive?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Click </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6GuSQPKBOI"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> to view the book
trailer.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Click </b><a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/fiction.html"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> for purchase links.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0awaDjI20x8/VCx5MHnlhkI/AAAAAAAACE8/8-XL7xfBnIE/s1600/jessicabell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0awaDjI20x8/VCx5MHnlhkI/AAAAAAAACE8/8-XL7xfBnIE/s1600/jessicabell.jpg" height="200" width="192" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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J<a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">essica Bell</span></span></a><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, a thirty-something Australian-native contemporary fiction
author, poet and singer/songwriter/guitarist, is the Publishing Editor of </span><a href="http://www.vineleavesliteraryjournal.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">Vine Leaves
Literary Journal</span></span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and the director of
the </span><a href="http://www.homericwriters.com/"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: blue;">Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop</span></span></a><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> on the Greek island of Ithaca. She makes a living as a
writer/editor for English Language Teaching Publishers worldwide, such as
Pearson Education, HarperCollins, MacMillan Education, Education First and
Cengage Learning.</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
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Connect with Jessica online:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Website</span></a> | <a href="http://www.homericwriters.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Retreat & workshop</span></a> | <a href="http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Blog</span></a> | <a href="http://www.vineleavesliteraryjournal.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Vine Leaves
Literary Journal</span></a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">F</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">acebook</span></a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Twitter</span></a></div>
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Congrats, Jessica!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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</o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-78179182966210056282014-09-18T06:27:00.000-05:002014-09-18T06:27:00.132-05:00May the Fun Be With YouThis past weekend we celebrated my youngest son's birthday with his friends. All three of my children have their birthdays within a month so this is the last one for about a year. Back to school time and three birthdays make this the craziest time of the year for me!<br />
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Here are some fun photos from the Star Wars Extravaganza! (The majority of ideas executed here are of course from Pinterest!) 14 boys total made for a raucous house and a sweaty, stinky basement! Did I mention it was a sleepover, too?!<br />
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Warrooooum. (Light saber sound effect.)</div>
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May the snacks be with you.</div>
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Cue Imperial March.</div>
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There was Jedi Training.</div>
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And now I must nap. </div>
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Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-68706714895614800272014-09-02T06:33:00.000-05:002014-09-02T06:33:00.018-05:00Goodbye, summer! Hello, sale!How can it be September already?<br />
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Gear up for the new school year with new books! I'm ready for a new year in my preschool classroom, and I've already picked so many great books to share with my class!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2N8Cjo5eNg/VAUOjf3RnWI/AAAAAAAACCE/v5cWzqFjvko/s1600/wordsonvolo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2N8Cjo5eNg/VAUOjf3RnWI/AAAAAAAACCE/v5cWzqFjvko/s1600/wordsonvolo5.jpg" height="287" width="320" /></a></div>
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My newest picture book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Words-Birds-Kelly-Polark/dp/0988846241/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409617600&sr=8-1&keywords=words+on+birds" target="_blank">WORDS ON BIRDS</a>, is a great gift for teachers! You can purchase it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Words-Birds-Kelly-Polark/dp/0988846241/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409617600&sr=8-1&keywords=words+on+birds" target="_blank">HERE</a> or <span style="font-size: large;">enter to win a copy at Goodreads</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22798526-words-on-birds?from_search=true" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"> HERE</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6PkyGAt6sfQ/VAUQv86QECI/AAAAAAAACCQ/wi6DWDM5i20/s1600/RockPrincess_CVR_SML%2B(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6PkyGAt6sfQ/VAUQv86QECI/AAAAAAAACCQ/wi6DWDM5i20/s1600/RockPrincess_CVR_SML%2B(4).jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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Also, for your preteen girls, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Princesses-Wear-Black-ebook/dp/B00J9XQJW2/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409617628&sr=1-1&keywords=rock+n+roll+princesses+wear+black" target="_blank">ROCK 'N' ROLL PRINCESSES WEAR BLACK</a> <span style="font-size: large;">middle grade ebook is on sale for 99 cents</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Princesses-Wear-Black-ebook/dp/B00J9XQJW2/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409617628&sr=1-1&keywords=rock+n+roll+princesses+wear+black" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"> HERE</span></a> for just a few more weeks! Great Back to School sale!<br />
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Read Shelley Sly's great review of it <a href="http://storiesintheordinary.blogspot.com/2014/09/review-of-rock-n-roll-princesses-wear.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br />
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Also, thank you to the wonderful peeps at <a href="http://writeoncon.com/" target="_blank">WRITE ON CON</a>! Loved getting great suggestions on my newest picture book manuscript. Check out the website <a href="http://writeoncon.com/" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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Goodbye, summer! Hello, new school year. I went to see One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer with my daughter and mother-in-law this past weekend (certainly not my usual rock concert, but fun!) and also to a joyful family wedding. <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kellyp1234/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> has been my friend for sure the last few weeks between planning for my kids' birthday parties and the new school year. <br />
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Yup. Here's Liam, Harry, and Niall singing to us!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How are you getting ready for the new school year? What did you do on Labor Day weekend?</span>Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-56933345818966184722014-08-18T06:29:00.000-05:002014-08-15T08:53:03.792-05:00Meet My Character Blog Tour <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406593894938_2006" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been tagged by<a href="http://sherriepetersenbooks.com/blog/" target="_blank"> Sherrie Petersen</a>, author of middle grade novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wish-You-Werent-Sherrie-Petersen/dp/1494766825/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408110533&sr=1-1&keywords=wish+you+weren%27t+sherrie+petersen" target="_blank">WISH YOU WEREN'T</a>, to participate in the MEET MY CHARACTER BLOG TOUR! Read her post <a href="http://sherriepetersenbooks.com/blog/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me introduce you to Stef, the main character of my middle grade novel, ROCK 'N' ROLL PRINCESSES WEAR BLACK (you can purchase <span id="goog_762424506"></span><a href="http://sherriepetersenbooks.com/2014/08/11/meet-my-character-blog-tour/comment-page-1/#comment-9058" target="_blank">here!)<span id="goog_762424507"></span></a></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407244622566_5666" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1) What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>The main character in ROCK 'N' ROLL PRINCESSES WEAR BLACK is 12 year old Stefani Lucas. She was named after the fabulous Gwen Stefani. I thought I was so clever in naming her this (I started writing this 6+ years ago) until I watched the DVD BABY MAMA starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. At the end, Amy's character names a baby Stefani (pronounced like Gwen's last name). I may or may have not said an expletive when I saw that! But I still kept my main character's name. Which is pronounced Stephanie though, and she is usually called Stef.</em></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407244622566_5673" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2) When and where is the story set?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>The story is a contemporary novel so set in current times and also set somewhere in the Midwest!</em></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407244622566_5674" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>3) What should we know about him/her?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Stef is a huge music lover, loves to read, and plays piano. She loves to wear the color black because it is cool and because it's easy. Her best friend is Gabi Rivera, and they have a strong friendship.</em></span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407244622566_5676" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: black;">Stefani Lucas is a rockin’ sixth grader who loves music and dresses like a mini hipster in all black, but there's one thing cramping her style - her lame baby brother who manages to hog all the attention from her parents. </span><span style="color: black;">When classmates tease her about her clothes and even double dare her to (gasp!) wear another color, Stef decides a minor makeover may be in order. Can Stef change for others and still stay true to herself? Will she continue feeling left out at home?</span></em></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407244622566_5684" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>5) What is the personal goal of the character?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Stef just wants to have a conflict-free life at school and more attention from her parents. Typical junior high angst.</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica;">Thank you, Sherrie, for tagging me! You can purchase ROCK 'N' ROLL PRINCESSES WEAR BLACK at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Princesses-Wear-Black/dp/0988846225/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408110586&sr=1-1&keywords=rock+n+roll+princesses+wear+black" target="_blank">amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rock-n-roll-princesses-wear-black-kelly-polark/1119346927?ean=9780988846227" target="_blank">barnesandnoble</a>, <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/rock-n-roll-princesses-wear-black" target="_blank">kobo</a>, and select bookstores!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica;"><strong>*SALE* The ebook will go on sale for 99 cents starting this Wednesday for a week!</strong> </span></em></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to hop on this tour, post one week from now and tag Sherrie and me in it! I'd love to get to know your characters, too! <span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">This tour highlights a main character from one of your WIP/recently published or soon to be published work. The person who invites you will have a set day to post. You will post ONE WEEK after that. The authors you tag will post one week after you, and so on.</span></span></div>
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Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-59769847014297992002014-08-05T07:53:00.002-05:002014-08-05T08:29:29.358-05:00Kickin' It Like the Girl That I AmI'm joining in on the Kicks Like A Girl blog tour. Thank you Suzanne Casemento for inviting me!Check out <strong>KICKS LIKE A GIRL</strong> by Melissa Westemeyer <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kicks-Like-Girl-Melissa-Westemeier/dp/0615946763/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406867045&sr=1-1&keywords=kicks+like+a+girl" target="_blank">here</a>, and check out Suzanne's post <a href="http://suzannecasamento.blogspot.com/2014/07/who-wants-to-hop-on-blog-tour.html" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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<strong>Now for this blog tour I tell you a little about myself.</strong><br />
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First thing ever published in a magazine was this in <em>Us Weekly </em>back in 2000! :) (Yes, McConaughey is one of my all time faves). Okay, technically not a paid piece. My first paid piece was rhyming bird riddles in <em>Nature Friend</em> magazine!<br />
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My first picture book was published in 2012 by Meegenius. I wrote this story for an assignment for an online writing course. Several years and revisions later, it became <a href="ttps://www.meegenius.com/store/book/1659e7dd2afeaaf5baf22b0e886e0897" target="_blank">BIG SISTER, BABY BROTHER.</a><br />
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I'm also the author of Meegenius book, <a href="https://www.meegenius.com/store/book/b9a0376f6dc83384d8bfbfcef3ad4359" target="_blank">HOLD THE MUSTARD</a>. My other picture books include <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rockabet-Classic-Edition-Kelly-Polark/dp/0988846209/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406867135&sr=8-1&keywords=rockabet" target="_blank">ROCKABET: CLASSIC EDITION</a> and the most recent, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Words-Birds-Kelly-Polark/dp/0988846241/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406867118&sr=8-1&keywords=words+on+birds" target="_blank">WORDS ON BIRDS</a>. My debut middle grade novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Princesses-Wear-Black/dp/0988846225/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406867159&sr=1-1&keywords=rock+n+roll+princesses+wear+black" target="_blank">ROCK 'N' ROLL PRINCESSES WEAR BLACK</a>, was published in March. (See cutie patootie Francesca Capaldi from Disney Channel below holding it!)<br />
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Lastly, after spending time with my family, my favorite thing is going to rock concerts. See below a depiction of all the bands I've seen and how many times! (This is actually from 2013. Since then, I've seen Buckcherry one more time plus Alter Bridge and The Toadies for the first time!)<br />
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Thanks for stopping by! If you want to hop on this blog tour, let me know and I'll link to your next Monday's post!Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-89837097148610941732014-07-28T06:47:00.000-05:002014-07-28T06:47:00.047-05:00Birds, Books, and a Bog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I had a lovely afternoon at a beautiful state natural area near our home called Volo Bog. My dad and I signed books for visitors that came for International Bog Day! (Yes, there is such a thing!) A blues band played, refreshments were enjoyed, crafts were made, and we met many lovely people who also love nature. Kids made a cute robin craft that I found on Pinterest (see below), and we were signing right by the buttons where you can hear various bird calls. <br />
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Special day with my dad and family!<br />
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You can purchase our picture book WORDS ON BIRDS online at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Words-Birds-Kelly-Polark/dp/0988846241/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406513006&sr=8-1&keywords=words+on+birds" target="_blank">amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/words-on-birds-kelly-polark/1119967472?ean=9780988846241" target="_blank">BarnesandNoble</a>, and select bookstores.<br />
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Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8599110324847952241.post-66971212617215739752014-07-25T06:50:00.000-05:002014-07-25T06:50:00.547-05:00Double Negative<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406256132525_3969" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Do you know C. Lee McKenzie? If the answer is yes or no, I have some Double Positive news for you. She is one warm, friendly and talented author, and she has a new book!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Lee takes on modern issues that today's teens face in their daily lives. Her first young adult novel, <i>Sliding on the Edge</i>, which dealt with cutting and suicide was published in 2009. Her second, titled <i>The Princess of Las Pulgas</i>, dealing with a family who loses everything and must rebuild their lives came out in 2010. Her short story, <i>Premeditated Cat</i>, appears in the anthology, <i>The First Time,</i> and her <i>Into the Sea of Dew</i> is part of a collection, <i>Two </i>and<i> Twenty Dark Tales</i>. In 2012, her first middle grade novel, <i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406256132525_3981">Alligators Overhead</i>, came out.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Lee's newest Young Adult novel, DOUBLE NEGATIVE, is available TODAY!</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406256132525_4039" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><em>Hutchison Mc Queen is a sixteen-year-old smart kid who screws up regularly. He’s a member of Larkston High’s loser clique, the boy who’s on his way to nowhere—unless juvenile hall counts as a destination. He squeaks through classes with his talent for eavesdropping and memorizing what he hears. When that doesn’t work, he goes to Fat Nyla, the one some mean girls are out to get and a person who’s in on his secret—he can barely read. And then Maggie happens. For twenty-five years she’s saved boys from their own bad choices. But she may not have time to save Hutch. Alzheimer’s disease is steadily stealing her keen mind.</em></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">You can purchase DOUBLE NEGATIVE <a href="http://www.evernightteen.com/double-negative-by-c-lee-mckenzie" target="_blank">HERE</a>! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Stop by and say hi to C. Lee McKenzie at her <a href="http://cleemckenziebooks.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, <a href="http://writegame.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>, and<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Double-Negative/532193566907446" target="_blank"> Facebook</a>. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><strong>Congrats, LEE!!!</strong></span></span></div>
Kelly Polarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.com