All posts by Anne Younger

Anne is a 30-something full-time SAHM mom of 5 ranging from 3 to 17 and grandma of 1 who resides in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay) Wisconsin. She started blogging in 2008 as a way to regain her sanity. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, cheeseburgers and vodka along with spending time with her husband and kids.

I Remember

I do remember that tragic day a decade ago.
I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.
It is something I will never forget.

This year, I will remember that day quietly.
I will pay tribute to those who have fallen in a quiet prayer.

I will not relive that awful day by reading stories, watching movies, television or even the news.

Just know, that I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER.

Interview with Claim of Innocence author Laura Caldwell

Q. Describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.
A. In Claim of Innocence, Izzy and her best friend ,Maggie, defend a woman charged with poisoning her own best friend.

Q.   What inspired you to write CLAIM OF INNOCENCE?
A.  I’m admit I’m sort of marrying my real life with my fictional life in Claim of Innocence. My character, Izzy McNeil, is a redheaded Chicagoan who worked as a civil lawyer most of her career but has fallen into the world of criminal defense. That comes pretty close to my life. I used to be a civil lawyer, defending doctors who were sued. I never thought I’d be working with exonerees. I feel incredibly fortunate.

Q.  Where do you do most of your writing?
A.  In one of two places: If I’m in Chicago, I write in what the real estate agent grandly called ‘the penthouse room.’ Basically it’s a sunny room off the roof deck. It’s filled with red and white furniture (keeps me awake), a curvy book shelf laden with reference books and a street sign bolted to the wall that reads, STOP HERE ON RED.The other place I love to write is in Long Beach, Indiana, a place of hidden beauty. In the summer, I sit on the deck and am surrounded by a sea of green from all the trees. In the winter, you can find me in front of the fire.

Q.  What is your favorite book?
A.  That changes all the time. Right now, I’m reading Straight Man by Richard Russo and loving it. And I know many people who had a hard time with Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, but I adored it.

Q.  Which part of CLAIM OF INNOCENCE was the most enjoyable to write?
A.  I love writing about 26th and Cal, which is the home of Chicago criminal courts and many of its jails. Everyone who has ever been there will tell you that it has the craziest energy—part thrilling, part desperate, part seen-it-all, part wildly optimistic. I like appearing there as a lawyer and I like writing about it too.

Disclaimer: This information was provided to me on behalf of Laura Caldwell.

Protect Your Photos, Music and MORE with Carbonite

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Carbonite for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As I have adapted to the digital world over the years, I am very careful to protect those items on my computer that are most important to me…..my photos.  My computer contains over 5,000 pictures of my children, family and friends and holds a lot of memories for our family and these are items I definitely want to protect.  

 

For awhile, I had been just moving my photos and other items to an external hard drive to keep them safe however I have come to realize that is not 100% effective.  Two weeks ago I began using a free trial (no credit card required) from Carbonite and am seriously considering trading in my trial for a year of service for only $59 AND an additional 2 months free when you use the code: BLOGAD.


If you ask me, $59 is a small price to pay for a year worth of computer backup service that will work continuously for me and backup the files on my PC (or a MAC if you have one) and allow me to access them from anywhere I am connected to the internet including my Android enabled mobile phone thanks to the free Carbonite app (also available for other smartphones or iPads).

 

I’m Having a Bad Day

Seriously.
No joke.
Before noon today I managed to cry, scream, slam doors, throw things, yell and scold my child.
It has been a really bad day.
Being pregnant, emotional and hormonal doesn’t make matters any easier.
Put that all together and add potty training a 3 year old to the mix and you might just want to cry too.
Things have started to look up as the day goes on but I still feel like I could burst into tears any minute.
I hate days like these.
I REALLY HATE days like these.