All I Want for Christmas is You!

Ready to dive into the Christmas season and win some free books? Then come join the fun in the 12 Indies of Christmas Blog Hop and Giveaway! Each day an indie author has been posting on their blog. Like their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, so forth to increase your chances of winning! Today is the final day and my lady, Erin Rhew and I, are posting about long distance relationships over the Christmas season!

Before we get to it, take some time and read about our fellow authors peeps. Stay tuned, at the end of the article you can enter to win some free books! Talk about making the season bright!

December 12th - Zane Sachs

December 13th - Kira Adams

December 14th - Chess Desall

December 15th - Kai Strand

December 16th - Zoe Dawson

December 17th - A.G. Porter

December 18th - Joy Penny

December 19th - Mary Waibel

December 20th - Cynthia Witherspoon

December 21st - K.K. Allen

December 22nd - Ann Everett

December 23rd - Erin Rhew & Deek Rhew

As some of you may know, Erin and I dated long-distance long before we ever saw one another in person. We had technology helping us, but it was tenacity, a longing to be together, and that we were best friends long before we became an item that kept us connected. Getting to know this amazing woman is--yes, I am still getting to know her and will be until my final days--one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. Since we lived on opposite sides of the country all we could do is talk, after all traditional dates--movies, dinner, so forth--were not an option. Her dad said what we had was an old-fashioned courtship. We talked, on average, about 4--yes, 4!--hours a night for months and months.

However, being authors we managed to squeeze in real life and more "traditional" dates. We watched movies together, the Super Bowl, the ball in NY City drop twice (she was on the east coast and I on the west after all), played games, wrapped Christmas presents, cooked dinner, browsed the web, worked on budgets and on writing projects, on and on and on. All the while getting to know each other. So, how did we do all of this? Well, a bunch of tenacity, a deep love for one another, and a splash of technology!

So, here is a little disclaimer, the next section that describes the tech was written by my lady. You can find the original post on her blog. Since she did such a great job I decided to just copy it with slight modifications in the names. Heck, I even stole the name of her blog post! LOL!!! Enjoy!

1) FaceTime: Erin and I just can't say enough good things about FaceTime. In fact, this tool helped us fall more deeply in love with one another. There is something to be said for talking to your romantic partner every night on the phone for hours. BUT even more can be said for seeing and talking to your romantic partner for hours every night. My dad said Erin and I "courted" in the old fashioned sense of the word since all we could do was talk and get to know each other. Anyhoo...for Christmas, FaceTime is a great way to feel connected despite the distance. We used it to wrap presents, watch Christmas movies, and open Christmas presents. Being able to see one another's faces as we revealed the gifts we'd created or found for one another was almost as good as being together...almost.

2) TeamViewer; Erin and I used this computer sharing mechanism to see one another's screens for making gifts and watching movies. We tried synchronizing our TVs together, but watching the same movie over TeamViewer worked a lot better. 

3) GoogleDocs: This program allows you to share documents and even work within the same document. Erin and I were able to plan Christmas lists together, create gifts for others, and keep track of our Christmas budget using this amazing tool. 

4) Text: Texting is always great for that in-the-store-oh-my-gosh-what-color-My-Little-Pony-did-your-niece-want situation. Just snap a picture, text it, get confirmation, and purchase. Unless you're in Target. They seem to have a 3G death trap or something. Try to hook up to their free wifi, but be aware it drops you like a hotcake after only a few minutes. Sigh...

5) A shared Amazon account: Erin and I share an Amazon account. One of us would put together a cart for family members, and the other would go in and check it. Even though we are married and live in the same house, we still use this option. It's a great way to stay within budget, get two day shipping (we are Prime members), and keep the other person in the loop. Just remember to add both addresses and make sure you're shipping to the right house if you're apart. ;) 

Now that Erin and I are married and getting to spend our first Christmas in the same geographical location, I thought I'd share some of our favorite moments. Enjoy!!!

Erin is just stunning in her hat and coat. Ready for the cold weather!

Celebrating next to the ginormous tree in the middle of the city

Sneaking in a selfie in a jazz club we stumbled upon. Sssshhhhhh

When we were wrapping presents, SOMEBODY couldn't wait to see what she got.

Even in the rain, my lady is gorgeous.

Wet and bedraggled selfie

Beautiful mural of lights in the city

OMG the tunnel of lights!!! I think we could have moved into it and never been bored.

At some friends house....yep, this is what ya got!

Ridonk elfie selfie!

Erin as Psycho Santa!

Awwwww of all places, Deek found Jesus at Walmart

Don't forget to sign up for our:

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12 Indies of Christmas Blog Hop and Giveaway

Ready to dive into the Christmas season and win some free books? Then come join the fun in the 12 Indies of Christmas Blog Hop and Giveaway! Each day starting tomorrow an indie author will post on their blog. Like their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, so forth to increase your chances of winning! Erin and I will be promoting our fellow authors as well as participating on December 23rd with a very special blog post, so stay tuned!

Learn about exciting new authors and win some free books! Remember the fun starts TOMORROW!!!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

December 12th - Zane Sachs

December 13th - Kira Adams

December 14th - Chess Desall

December 15th - Kai Strand

December 16th - Zoe Dawson

December 17th - A.G. Porter

December 18th - Joy Penny

December 19th - Mary Waibel

December 20th - Cynthia Witherspoon

December 21st - K.K. Allen

December 22nd - Ann Everett

December 23rd - Erin Rhew & Deek Rhew

Don't Tell Erin, But Someone Picked Up Deek! Warning: This blog contains many graphics!

My name is Deek Rhew and this is my story.

I was minding my own business, just meandering down the sidewalk next to the busy boulevard. As I waited for the light at the corner of Third and Vine, a black sedan with dark tinted windows and vanity plates that read PckrUpr slid in next to the curb in front of me. With a mild hum of electronics, the glass of the rear door gracefully retreated into the metal hull of the automobile.


The inky interior of the vehicle revealed little detail of its occupants. I leaned in closer, hoping to get a better view. A sunglasses-clad face with frizzy black and white hair materialized before me. Since the face's eyes were covered and bore all the expression of seasoned poker player, I could not determine whether the stranger's intentions were malicious or friendly.

The invader of my pleasant and heretofore uneventful afternoon studied me from behind the black lenses. I didn't flinch, returning the other's gaze. The classic showdown at high noon, we each bided our time, waiting for the other to make the first move.

A fur-clad hand slinked up and, with a practiced flick popped the Ray Bans down a long, shapely nose, revealed eyes as black as onyx. In a lilting Texas accent a husky, alto voice said, "Howdy, stranger. Going my way?"

I didn't answer right away but instead regarded my propositioner.

Not waiting for a reply, the door clicked open, and the stranger slid to the far side of the back seat. With a coquettish smile, she patted the seat.

I hesitated for a heartbeat then slid in, closing the door with a snick behind me.

With a mild screech of tires, the driver pulled away from the curb. As we mingled with the heavy traffic, the stranger extended her paw, "I'm Zara. That," she indicated to the driver, "is Allan."

Two black ears held the signature cap in place as the driver grunted and raised a furry paw in way of greeting.

"Mr. Rhew, we have much to discuss."

"You know me?" I asked, a bit taken aback.

"Oh, yes. I've been following you for some time. Are you ready to have some fun?" Zara had a twinkle in her eye and a sly smile on her lips.

Suddenly, I knew I had made the right decision, and I returned the expression. It occurred to me that for the first time in my life I had willingly allowed myself to be picked up, and by a Panda of all people.

Allan navigated the heavy car down the busy street, dodging cabbies and running reds, as we continued our conversation deep into the twilight of the evening.


So now you know the story of how I got picked up by a Panda....okay, maybe that isn't exactly how it went down, but I'm not so great at remembering the deets. What is truth and what is fiction? Well, the truth is that I did, in fact, get picked up. And that, ladies and germs, is my BIG announcement. After three years of work, my book, 122 Rules, got picked up by Pandamoon Publishing!

To celebrate, my wife, Erin Rhew (a brilliant writer in her own right--shameless plug: get her books, The Prophecy and The Outlanders now on Amazon!), and I went on a mission to find all the panda pics in town. Come join us in our Pandamoneum!

Erin and I and an itty bitty panda

Jay, a little 'tude, and a little panda

Cray panda pics!

More cray panda pics!

Ahhhhhhh panda pics everywhere!

Easily the best looking panda ever

Erin and the latest in panda wear

James Belushi panda moment

The little panda actually looks a bit frightened

There there, don't be scared of the lunatic

What you talkin' 'bout panda?

Awwwwwww

Our writing assistant, Trinity, is highly annoyed the publishing company isn't called Cat Moon

Lookin' totally Portland with my panda wear

Channel your inner panda, Erin

Channel your inner panda, Deek

Lookin' too cool for school, Erin created me a Gangsta Panda!

I am beyond happy to be joining the Pandamoon family. Zara and Allan and all the rest of the pandas have been super supportive and fun, and I'm looking forward to going on this journey with such a great company.

Now I need to take a moment and send a message to my wife. Erin has been my biggest supporter and #1 fan. She has spent countless hours editing and reviewing my book and listening to me droll on about this or that in relation to my writing. There is zero chance 122 Rules would have made it as far as it has without her.

Erin, you can try all you want to give me all the credit, but, my love, without you I wouldn't have made it. You are the inspiration to my perspiration. You are my Ideal Reader, the one I write to. You are the love of my life. Thank you for everything you do, all you've sacrificed, and your unconditional love. You are the person I strive to be like--though I fall short. It is with you that I find the true source of my happiness.

Thanks to all my peeps! Keep watching as this saga unfolds. Without a doubt, it will be quite entertaining.

Cheers!!

Oh, What a Weekend!

OMH! Where to begin? So much has happened since my last post. Erin and I have been on a ton of adventures since Friday. We've met new people, battled salsa dancers, and dodged drunks in the dark streets of the city. We've eaten cold nachos and donuts at 1 in the morning, dined at the White House, and gotten massages and tattoos....and that was just the weekend!

Okay, so I'll start at the beginning with the best news ever...Erin and I got MARRIED on Friday!!! Woop! I am easily the luckiest man in the world. This lady makes me uber happy!!

We have only gotten a few of the pictures back from our photographer, Adriel Henderson, but this is one of my favs:

Erin and I on our wedding night

Our 1895 Victorian home has two carriage houses. Originally we had thought we'd get married in the larger of the two, but in the end we opted to to have the ceremony in our living room.

Risking all sortsa bad luck stigmas, a week before the ceremony, we dressed in our finest and spent a happy afternoon posing and primping for our shutterbug.

Erin and I looking very southern and proper

Okay, so that is all we have of our formal wedding pics so far. More are being processed and we shall post a blog (or two!) with the pics. So, on to our honeymoon adventures!

The where! We stayed at the White House.

This place was all kindsa beautiful!

The White House on the first night we arrived

Oh this little place? It's our country villa. We come here to get away from it all.

On the grand staircase. Sort of reminds of the one from Titanic

The formal living room

Erin plays me a little diddy on the baby grand

Our dining hall

Erin lording over her minions from the head of the table

Tried the iPhone's panoramic feature. It kinda looks like it's in an aquarium

On Saturday we got a couple's massage--totally recommend!!--from a VERY zen, VERY Portland couple, then we hit the big city. Here are some image from our fun.

My beautiful bride gazing out our hotel window

First time we went out to eat as a married couple. Burgers and fake orange cheese nachos!

Stopped in at Saturday Market and had our picture drawn. Something we had each wanted to do forevs!

The city is already decked out in Christmas lights. Just gorgeous!

Erin channels her inner warrior next to some interesting "art."

LOL! #GeekHumor

I don't believe any words are necessary

The king lives!

Found this awesome Mr. Rodgers sweater at a second-hand store. Sadly, I did not get it.

Peace out, dude!

Looking more gangsta than chill

Channel your inner panda

And me!

Yep, looking all George Castanza on my lounge chair in World Market

:-)

No trip to the city is complete without a trip to the book store

Visiting China Town

The people here are caaa-ray!

Dinner time!

Yep, I'm gonna paste these suckers to my thighs for all time!

Did anyone get the number of that day in the city that hit us?

So the big news from the next day was we got inked! We'd been planning it for a while, so as a wedding gift to ourselves we went to Adorned for a little tattoo action.

Erin braving her way through the procedure

My bad ass lady with her new ink stain

Me with my ink stain

The family that inks together...

Afterwards we had to get bandaged up. Here we are looking all super-hero-like...ready to fight crime!

It has been an amazing adventure with my lady. Though we are really both just regular homebodies--something that I just love about us--we still manage to have fun. Erin is my best friend and I am beyond lucky that I get to spend the rest of my life with her.

In the end, it is just Erin and I, hand-in-hand

So, win or lose, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, we are partners. I am so lucky that she is gracing my life by joining hers to mine.

Check out Erin's pictorial of our our weekend!

Until later, my friends, cheers!