Utah Mommy Blogger encourages Young Adults to maintain the highest standards of morals in their relationship with the release of her fictional novel Once Upon a Cartier

Who is ready for Tuesday?! I know the Utah Media Is!!!

Salt Lake City, Utah October 4, 2012 -- Author Debbie Roberts-Cluff has been writing a successful G-rated mommy blog, Confessions of a 30ish Overworked and Underpaid Housewife, since 2007.  With her followers and her daily visits sorrowing to new heights mainly because of her high-moral standard style of writing and hilarious child-like humor, she decided to take her real life out of the equation and write a wholesome, yet fabulous  love story that would be enjoyed by all ages, Once Upon a Cartier.

Once Upon a Cartier, Roberts-Cluff premier novel,  questions if only a fool confuses fate for destiny. Which is exactly what Laila Simons must answer when she meets Julius Heldge and learns that destiny is a choice we make despite of fate. Will Laila abandon the life predetermined by the stars in order to capture her eternity in a Cartier ring?

Drawing from her addiction to everything in print and her love for Romeo and Juliet, Roberts-Cluff began to write an epic love story about two star-crossed lovers, but then took her writing a step further and incorporated her daughters love for fantasy books into the mix. She also wanted to install a sense of decency and morality for her characters. Roberts-Cluff explains, “I wanted a love story my young daughters would be proud of. A strong role model who didn’t need to throw herself at a man to gain respect and success.”

Once Upon a Cartier is a story of love and deceit, secrets and betrayals, that takes us from the mythical ruins of the Greek Gods to the backyard of the historical city known as Pasadena. This is the love story of our decade, a bold inquiry into destiny and Laila’s decision to pursue a path towards everlasting love and unspeakable loss. The story is of a true battle of defining one’s own fate , one that reminds us what it means to feel human.

And the verdict is in, the readers are loving it. With Once Upon a Cartier to be released on Tuesday, October 9^th, only on Amazon, the pre-sale reviews are out. Diana Smith, of New Orleans, Louisiana, shared, “I read through this book with a sense of astonishment, as each chapter left an place in my mind—and heart—that would not easily be forgotten. I think Once Upon a Cartier deserves recognition for being the most touching love story of our time.”  Heidi Hagen, of Gilbert, Arizona, expressed, “A novel of truth, faith, goodness, and love... Debbie Roberts-Cluff writing is rare and refreshingly original, a true art form. One of the most heartfelt novels.

Debbie Cluff is an author, educator and avid blogger at: Confessions of a 30-ish Overworked and Underpaid Housewife. She enjoys most of the time she spends as a mother and is a very loving, devoted wife (don’t tell her husband, though). She has authored over a dozen articles for online publications and a few novels for her sisters. Debbie resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and three children.  You can follow her on Twitter at @debbiecluff, or listen to her Author’s Chat LIVE Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 PM EST at blogtalkradio.com/onceuponacartier

For more about the Debbie Roberts-Cluff, see debbiecluff.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/onceuponacartier  Once Upon a Time  is available online at www.inglestonepublishing.com or Amazon.com beginning October 9th. 

Utah Mommy Blogger encourages Young Adults to maintain the highest standards of morals in their relationship with the release of her fictional novel Once Upon a Cartier

It got picked up in the press!!

Salt Lake City, Utah October 4, 2012 -- Author Debbie Roberts-Cluff has been writing a successful G-rated mommy blog, Confessions of a 30ish Overworked and Underpaid Housewife, since 2007.  With her followers and her daily visits sorrowing to new heights mainly because of her high-moral standard style of writing and hilarious child-like humor, she decided to take her real life out of the equation and write a wholesome, yet fabulous  love story that would be enjoyed by all ages, Once Upon a Cartier.

Once Upon a Cartier, Roberts-Cluff premier novel,  questions if only a fool confuses fate for destiny. Which is exactly what Laila Simons must answer when she meets Julius Heldge and learns that destiny is a choice we make despite of fate. Will Laila abandon the life predetermined by the stars in order to capture her eternity in a Cartier ring?

Drawing from her addiction to everything in print and her love for Romeo and Juliet, Roberts-Cluff began to write an epic love story about two star-crossed lovers, but then took her writing a step further and incorporated her daughters love for fantasy books into the mix. She also wanted to install a sense of decency and morality for her characters. Roberts-Cluff explains, “I wanted a love story my young daughters would be proud of. A strong role model who didn’t need to throw herself at a man to gain respect and success.”

Once Upon a Cartier is a story of love and deceit, secrets and betrayals, that takes us from the mythical ruins of the Greek Gods to the backyard of the historical city known as Pasadena. This is the love story of our decade, a bold inquiry into destiny and Laila’s decision to pursue a path towards everlasting love and unspeakable loss. The story is of a true battle of defining one’s own fate , one that reminds us what it means to feel human.

And the verdict is in, the readers are loving it. With Once Upon a Cartier to be released on Tuesday, October 9^th, only on Amazon, the pre-sale reviews are out. Diana Smith, of New Orleans, Louisiana, shared, “I read through this book with a sense of astonishment, as each chapter left an place in my mind—and heart—that would not easily be forgotten. I think Once Upon a Cartier deserves recognition for being the most touching love story of our time.”  Heidi Hagen, of Gilbert, Arizona, expressed, “A novel of truth, faith, goodness, and love... Debbie Roberts-Cluff writing is rare and refreshingly original, a true art form. One of the most heartfelt novels.

Debbie Cluff is an author, educator and avid blogger at: Confessions of a 30-ish Overworked and Underpaid Housewife. She enjoys most of the time she spends as a mother and is a very loving, devoted wife (don’t tell her husband, though). She has authored over a dozen articles for online publications and a few novels for her sisters. Debbie resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and three children.  You can follow her on Twitter at @debbiecluff, or listen to her Author’s Chat LIVE Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 PM EST at blogtalkradio.com/onceuponacartier

For more about the Debbie Roberts-Cluff, see debbiecluff.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/onceuponacartier  Once Upon a Time  is available online HERE or Amazon.com beginning October 9th. 

Are you Ready for Once Upon a Cartier?!

Who is READY!!! Let me hear a WHAT WHAT! Go and LIKE us on FACEBOOK!

After over one-hundred years on this earth, in this dimension, of being a total controlling type-A Fairy, the last few months transcended a whirlwind of chaos and anxiety for Laila Simons who is desperately trying to balance a thin line between fate and destiny. The worst part? If she makes the decision to control her own destiny, her fate will change and she will not make it through another day alive. And somehow, in the midst of utter turmoil, she falls uncharacteristically in love with a man seeking to release the mystery of what is hidden inside her small, heart-shaped golden locket. The only way to save those she loves and the world is to put her faith in the hands of the one she shouldn’t trust. Will Laila abandon her elude the life predetermined by the stars to capture her eternity in a Cartier ring?

A story of love and deceit, secrets and betrayals, that takes us from the mythical ruins of the Greek Gods to the backyard of the historical city known as Pasadena. Once upon a Cartier is the love story, a bold inquiry into destiny and Laila’s decision to pursue a path towards everlasting love and unspeakable loss. 

Debbie Cluff is an author, educator and avid blogger at: Confessions of a 30-ish Overworked and Underpaid Housewife. She enjoys most of the time she spends as a mother and is a very loving, devoted wife (don’t tell her husband, though). Debbie received her bachelor's of arts from California State University and a master's degree in elementary education from University of Phoenix. She has authored over a dozen articles for online publications and a few novels for her sisters. Debbie resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and three children.

Pyscho Cheer Mom

We’re cute,

We’re sexy,
We’re popular,
We’re hot.
We’re cheerleaders,
We’re out there
We’re everything you’re not …”

First off, cheer moms are crazy? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that sometimes it is a bit out of control. I mean, is it possible to have ANY more Lifetime movies on this subject?? Seriously, though, I totally understand, mainly because I am a cheer mom, by choice, but not one of those crazy cheer moms (or so I hope, I haven't put a hit on anybody yet, but Audrey is only 6). As much as every sporty parent says, "It doesn't matter if you win as long as you have fun," nobody wants their kid running around picking daisies on the football field and taking somersaults off the mat. See, cheer moms are worse than any other parent because to us cheerleading is unique unlike other sports where kids are required to be fast, fit, and ferocious, in addition, the girls are also expected to be perky and cute all while sporting the perfect round-off, back hand spring, back tuck. Cheerleading isn’t just a sport; it is a way of life. Though, I do miss the life of when I was a cheerleader and only had to do a freaking cartwheel and show up to the football games.

I understand the life, but I often wonder what stage of a cheer mom I am at. I don't want to go all Texas Cheer Mom on my daughter, but do get a twinge of panic when her three tier pyramid falls. Last time I was at a cheer competition I saw a lady sitting there on the bleachers with a smug smile wearing a big round button with her daughters picture on it and a t-shirt that says, "Proud mom of a MAC Cheerleader!" and having handwritten "captain" above it!. A bit of an over kill even for my overly Jazz Hands personality.

While I do not relish the thought of spending the rest of my child’s life sitting in bleachers suffering whatever potential weather conditions the universe cares to hurl at us; holding a video camera to capture the spunky one’s gyrations, kicks and yells; driving all over hell and back with at least six squealing cutie pies overtaking the radio controls of my vehicle, I will support my currently ecstatic daughter throughout her cheerleading career. What choice do I have? I kinda set myself up for this. Honestly, I am excited. While I can’t sport the “Cheerleaders do it Kicking” shirt, I can beam with pride as my baby makes it to Nationals... well maybe in a couple of years.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Be Well: The Perks of Caffeine

I was just reading the Woman's Day Magazine and this current article caught my eye. It says:

The next time you head starts pounding you could reach for a pill -- or just pour yourself a cup of joe. Caffeine helps fight headaches by increasing dopamine, a chemical that causes pleasurable sensations that counteract the pain". It then goes on to explain, "Caffeine also constricts swollen blood vessels in the brain that associated with certain types of headaches like migraines. To reap this benefit, limit your usual intake to one strong cup of coffee per day; when a headache kicks in, a second cup should make you feel better. So a cup of coffee has about 100 grams of caffenine and since I don't drink coffee I have to supplement the difference in another product.

So let's me break this down. I wake up every morning with 3 headaches; Ben, Audrey and Emma (and occasionally one husband headache). In order for ME to fight this headache and increase my dopamine, I need a chemical that causes pleasurable sensations. Simple : Diet Coke... SO as per the recommendation of my doctor, Robert Kaniecki, MD, Director of the Headache Center at the University of Pittsburg, I will then increase my Diet Coke intake, later in the day, to make me feel better. All in favor, say "AYE".

AYE!

Seriously, if I had known that I had a medication condition that insisted that I drink a few Diet Cokes a day, my life would have been much easier.

I heard it through the Grapevine... Singing Optional!

Ever since I was in High School I remember having a bit of a feminist side. While we did celebrate every third Thursday of the month as Men are Scum Days (My poor father), I hope over the years I have toned down on the way I handle my thoughts in that respect. I do remember that my father in law told my husband when we were first married “You are going to have to keep her under control” were as my husband replied “I don’t think that is possible”.

But, overall, I do think with all my strange antics and ideas towards men and women in my younger days, the most important aspect is that women hold the power, especially mothers. Honestly, we moms are the ones that buy the products, handle the money, etc and my mom always said that what women do best they do “through the grapevine” But really this whole “heard it through the grapevine” is something that women do to share or “be sure” that the information isn’t, well crap. The biggest example of this is all the Mommy Bloggers and Freebie sites that you can Google.

So today, mothers, women, etc. I am sharing some of my secret information with you that I am sure I have gotten through the grapevine from one or another. I guess it is my way of connecting with people while I am doing laundry much like the women who would talk over hanging their laundry outside.

First, Method Spray. LOVE IT! My BFF, Jenna, told me about this brand called Method that you get at Target. It smells heavenly and makes my granite countertop shine like the top of the Chrysler building (thank you,Annie!). AND even better it is something natural so I think that means if the kids spray it in there eyes we don’t have to run them to the ER?! I was actually talking to Leah yesterday, http://freutcake.com (another must visit), about this spray. They even have this pink one that smells like grapefruit and one for the horrible stainless steel (which they might not get stains, but why don’t fingerprints count in that category?). Plus anything pink that sprays totally will rock my mommy world.

Next, my favorite thing in the world has to be the Dyson. I know, it is such an old school product, but I just got one for Christmas and my mind races about the countless things it can do around the house. So far, I have cleaned the entire downstairs without changing plugs, vacuumed the dog hair AND the dog. I can’t wait for the weather to heat up (yes, lets make it above the 30’s) so I can vacuum out the car. Imagine all the French fries, happy meal toys, and other wonders that will disappear! I bought the yellow one, mainly because my brother in law, Noah, said they are all the same accept for the different attachments. I need the workout, so I opted OUT for the attachments. I hate to say it, but I really hadn't lived until I got this 2 weeks ago. So if you don’t have, get it. Remember, this is my birthday month so it is OK to treat yourself! Actually I found the best time to get one for super cheap is during black Friday… so I guess you can wait, but start saving now! I got mine for $230.00 at Target, or so I think.

Have you been to Tulle4us.com? AMAZING! This jacket is on sale now for only $40!I am usually pretty intimidated by these trendy stores that are SUPER expensive…and NO DOUBT this is one of those stores. It is like a little boutique you would just go in and window shop, but they have the MOST AMAZING sales. I got a white winter jacket there for $20 at the end of the season. So while the shop may seen, well a bit expensive, go straight to the sales section, do not stop at go do not collection $100, and sign up for the emails. This is where I get the sales. At the end of winter, they put almost everything on sale for about $5… can’t beat that at any hometown boutique! It like a Jackie O outfit on a Walmart Budget (I would like to ad that in no way do I condone shopping at Walmart, just go to Target or the Dollar Store, it is always too crowded)!

My final favorite grapevine advice is to go to DealstoMeals.com.

My cousin Tiffany who is an amazing saver told me about this and the best part is that you can price match EVERYTHING at Walmart (though I don't like Walmart and don't do that, you totally can). This site is the bomb shiggity bomb of saving money and feeding the family gourmet meals. It is $4.95 a month and these ladies give you a complete menu for your family, what to eat and do it based on sale items in your area. They shop the ads, they compare the prices, and then they design both a weekly grocery list and a really good meals from what is on sale. While I can say I was an avid coupon shopper like 2 years ago, that lasted about 5 minutes. Let’s face it. I am a neat freak that hates to have a mess and things in the house that don’t have a spot. I tried to cut the coupons and save the newspapers and you know what it brought me? A HUGE HEADACHE! The papers ended up in a box, the coupons where all over the house and by the time I was able to go to the grocery store, it wasn’t worth it. Time is Money to me and my coupon shopping doesn’t pay me enough to do. On that note, I found this site, don’t have to use coupons, shop the ads and it is just a few simple click and print.

So there you have it, use it wisely and as Yoda would say “May the Force Be With You”. Got any other ones for me?