Tag Archives: new years eve

2016, 2017, new year, new years eve, happy new year, instagram, book, books , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Thanks For The Memories

by

2016 was an interesting year to say the very least. I know several people who are more than ready to bid this year a rather disdainful adieu. But you know, 2016 wasn’t all political warfare and celebrity deaths. I can’t speak for everyone, but there are several moments from the past year on which I will look back with fondness.

And what better way to look back than with Instagram pictures?

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-10-37-04-pm

  1. Birthday Party at Painting with a Twist.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-10-36-41-pm

2. Hot Chocolate by the fire.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-10-38-02-pm

3. Hiking the ENTIRE 9 miles around White Rock Lake.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-10-38-36-pm

4. Camping and sleeping outside for the very first time.

5. Adventures at Fossil Rim and Glen Rose Dinosaur Park.

6. My sister’s junior voice recital.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-10-47-31-pm

7. The Little Mermaid, Wicked, and The Book of Mormon (not pictured).

8. Book Events.

9. Earth Day Celebration.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-10-51-26-pm

10. A visit to Pioneer Village.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-10-55-29-pm

11. My best friend moved home to Texas! This was definitely the best thing to happen to me this year!

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-10-56-29-pm

12. I took a dream vacation by myself to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, climbed two lighthouses, and visited the wild mustangs who live on the beaches.

13. I traveled to Arkansas to see my sister perform in Pinocchio.

14. A stop in to pay my respects to those buried at Showman’s Rest in Hugo, Oklahoma… the same graveyard featured in the third Cemetery Tours novel, After Death.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-01-33-pm

15. Published the third book in the Boy Band Series and had a short story featured in Lurking in the Shadows!

16. Reconnected with old friends at my ten-year high school reunion. screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-04-09-pm

17. Met Aaron Watson.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-07-29-pm

18. Celebrated the release of a “new” Harry Potter book… and was officially sorted into Ravenclaw!

19. Boy Band and Backstage won a few cool awards!

20. My sister and I traveled to Oklahoma to see 5 Seconds of Summer.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-12-56-pm

21. I donated 10 inches of hair to Locks of Love.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-13-28-pm

22. Found out I haven’t lost my touch at this Dave and Buster’s arcade game.

23. We all realized our childhood dreams of becoming Pokemon Masters.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-15-51-pm

24. Had an amazing experience at the Texas Teen Book Festival (and got to spend the weekend with my dear friend Kara!)

25. Boy Band was featured in a SugarScape article! THIS was so very cool.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-24-36-pm

26. Ghost hunting, sunrises on the beach, exploring submarines and World War II warships in Galveston.

27. I met Daymond John and gave him a copy of Cemetery Tours and a hug.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-30-25-pm

28. Sold books and ate the most amazing cheesecake on a stick at Texas Renaissance Festival.

29. Met a childhood hero.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-33-10-pm

30. Saw my sister perform in the Phantom of the Opera.

31. Found adventure in Lubbock (and trust me, that is not easy).

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-34-40-pm

32. Returned to the stage for the first time since grad school.

screen-shot-2016-12-07-at-11-36-49-pm

33. And of course, read lots and lots and lots of books.

Uncategorized , , , , , 18 Comments

A Look Back

by

Well, it is New Year’s Eve.  Another year has come and gone.  We’ll welcome 2015 in just a few short hours.

Last year, I recapped the year with moments captured on my Instagram account: https://jackiesmith114.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/how-do-you-measure-a-year-in-the-life/

I thought I’d honor 2014 by doing the exact same thing.

2014 was a big year.

I grew a sunflower garden.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.34.10 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.37.56 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.38.15 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.42.55 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.52.06 PM

Saw shooting stars.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.30.25 PM

Enjoyed the rain and even a little bit of snow.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.53.25 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.22.28 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.10.24 PM

Watched some amazing sunsets.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.22.12 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.27.36 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.30.45 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.38.59 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.05.05 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.12.47 PM

And went to the movies by myself for the first time.

Screen Shot 2014-12-31 at 2.35.33 PM

I said goodbye to my oldest and dearest friend.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.26.06 PM

And spent time with my Midnight.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.32.58 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.33.18 PM

I published my second book.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.31.28 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.43.17 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.52.23 PM

And participated in some amazing book clubs and signings!

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.36.07 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.36.31 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.37.30 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.40.51 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.55.15 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.02.55 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.05.26 PM

I saw my favorite Disney Movie of all time brought to life on stage.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.23.19 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.23.38 PM

And attended an early screening of The Fault in Our Stars.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.39.55 PM

I ate the best snow cone I’ve ever had in my life.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.42.09 PM

And went for a sunrise kayak adventure.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.00.38 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.00.59 PM

I played with the cutest husky puppy ever.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.59.49 PM

I discovered the coconut fad.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.22.47 PM

And I got my first tattoo!

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.29.00 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.29.24 PMScreen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.29.44 PM

I saw a really cool train.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.23.59 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.24.22 PM

And learned to mow the lawn.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.24.57 PM

I visited the church where I was baptized.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.27.20 PM

And I saw the Mystery Machine!

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.30.03 PM

I had a few laughs in the bookstore.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.41.22 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.00.21 PM

And found one of my new favorite books of all time.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.04.30 PM

I visited my old camp, one of my favorite places in the world.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.38.36 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.39.13 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.43.46 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.44.07 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.44.26 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.44.54 PM

My sister and I met some awesome musicians.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.46.00 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.51.39 PM

And I met some awesome authors: Kathleen Kent and Anne Rice!

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.06.17 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.10.55 PM

I took a trip back to the Gulf Shores.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.54.13 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.54.46 PM

And San Francisco!  I was even there for the 6.0 Earthquake. But I slept through it.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.01.35 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.02.02 PM

I read an awesome book with my Witch’s Familiar.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.02.35 PM

And explored a haunted antique show.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.03.20 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.03.55 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.04.17 PM

I also gave a presentation on Ghost Stories at the Colony Public Library.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.06.34 PM

And discovered my initials on a haunted gravestone.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.06.48 PM

I was honored to have some incredibly talented film students write and direct Cemetery Tours‘ book trailer! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr7b59l1s4o

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 3.42.33 PM

And met The Doctor on Halloween!

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.07.16 PM

I exercised my right to vote.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.08.21 PM

And participated in my first NaNoWriMo.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.08.44 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.10.37 PM

Even though I didn’t finish within the month, the book that I began will be published on April 21!

I drank hot chocolate by a campfire.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.08.57 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.09.13 PM

I enjoyed holiday Starbucks.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.09.30 PM

And celebrated my Scottish heritage.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.10.10 PM

I also made some amazing discoveries about my heritage thanks to Ancestry.com.

I traveled to Lubbock to see my sister perform in her first professional musical production.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.11.27 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.11.42 PM

I made some pretty fantastic desserts.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.07.29 PM

And adopted two adorable Venus Flytraps.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.12.14 PM

I met a beautiful horse named Licorice.

Screen Shot 2014-12-16 at 4.12.36 PM

And enjoyed Double Movie Day with my sister.

Screen Shot 2014-12-30 at 9.51.34 PM Screen Shot 2014-12-30 at 9.51.47 PM

I went on the Great Cheese Ball Expedition of 2014.

Screen Shot 2014-12-30 at 9.52.00 PM

And ended the year with a stack of brand new books!

Screen Shot 2014-12-30 at 9.52.50 PM

2014, you were a good year.  2015, I’m ready for you!  Good things are already in the works!  I can’t wait!

PS If you want to follow me on Instagram, go here: http://instagram.com/jacquelineesmith/

Warning: I post a LOT of pictures. But I do follow back.

Uncategorized , , , , 5 Comments

How Do You Measure a Year in the Life?

by

How about Instagram!

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.08.52 PM

Seasons of Instagram…

Every good blogger knows that a New Years Eve post is essential.  Thanks to Instagram, it is so much easier to keep track and look back on the highlights of a year.

To start off… the last moments of 2012.

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.53.56 AM

Keepin’ it classy…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.54.13 AM

And the first moment of 2013…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.54.27 AM

The rest shall follow in no particular order.

In 2013…

I played in snow…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.56.22 AM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.39.07 PM

Met a baby screech owl…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.00.26 PM

Ate my favorite frozen yogurt on my birthday…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.57.09 AM

And adopted a penguin.

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.57.26 AM

Visited a museum.

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.01.01 PM

And took a road trip to one of my favorite cities in the world to see my sister perform in the All State Choir (for the second time).

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.59.41 AM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.58.51 AM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.58.31 AM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.59.14 AM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.59.27 AM

I found out something about myself that I already knew…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.51.16 AM

And discovered that this cool little statue that I bought in January 2002 is actually a pencil sharpener…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.01.40 PM

I cleaned out the back room in my parents’ house and discovered a whole mountain of 1990s treasures.

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.28.49 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.28.38 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.57.41 AM

(We still have our Furbies too…)

I got to see my sister play Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.  Of course, I wanted a picture with Audrey II…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.58.03 AM

I also saw a pink Hummer.

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.02.03 PM

And discovered this really creepy scarecrow that lurks in the upstairs of our office at work.  I bet it comes to life when no one’s looking.

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.00.02 PM

Welcomed some new friends…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.07.18 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.08.01 PM

And had a lot of fun with old friends…

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.33.08 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.02.24 PM

Rented a car for the first time…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.03.33 PM

And took a great trip to the Gulf Shores!

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.03.47 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.04.00 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.04.28 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.04.39 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.04.53 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.05.13 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.06.38 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.06.24 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.06.07 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.05.52 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.05.33 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.04.12 PM

Visited my old camp at Lake Texoma… another one of my favorite places in the world…

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.10.11 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.10.29 PM

 

And built a new home for a wolf spider!

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.51.30 AM

My sister and I took our Dad to see Roger Creager in Concert for his 65th birthday.  We got great seats on the lawn, right in front, and afterword, we all got to meet Roger.  That was one of the coolest moments, seeing my Daddy get a “Happy Birthday” from one of his favorite country outlaws!

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.27.11 PM

He got to meet Chuck Taylor from The Range and we all got a lot of free stuff since we got there so early.

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.27.29 PM

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.27.50 PM

Went Downtown to get the rights for my new company, Wind Trail Publishing.

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.29.06 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.29.33 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.25.19 PM

 

And of course, wrote, edited, and published my first book (with a lot of help from great friends!).  At one point, Cemetery Tours made it to #92 on the Top 100 Kindle Bestsellers List in Contemporary Fiction!

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.56.01 AM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.37.58 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.37.01 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.32.51 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.33.37 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.31.58 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.29.46 PM

 

I participated in my very first 5K…

 

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.50.34 AM

 

And ate the very best cake I’ve ever had in my life…

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.32.21 PM

 

I got to go bowling…

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.34.40 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.34.27 PM

 

And see Bon Jovi in concert… in a fancy box… for free!!!

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 11.49.57 AM

 

My poor baby car, Niles, was in a minor fender bender…

 

 

 

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.35.03 PM

But we fixed him and now he is like new!  🙂

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.35.20 PM

 

I read some books with my oldest friend…

 

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.35.32 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.41.43 PM

 

Including brand new books by my two favorite authors…

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.31.20 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.31.34 PM

 

I hosted my first pool party…

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.30.25 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.30.38 PM

 

And enjoyed the summer sun.

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.08.30 PM

 

I discovered the self-satisfaction that comes from posting a “Transformation Tuesday…”

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.07.47 PM

 

Around the same time that my sister was elected Prom Queen!

Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 12.07.02 PM

 

I straightened my hair for Halloween…

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.37.15 PM

 

And took my very first trip to Lubbock.

 

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.40.24 PM Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.38.14 PM

 

I enjoyed a fun-filled Thanksgiving full of laughter.

 

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.39.34 PM

 

And survived Icemageddon 2013…

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.40.07 PM

 

The whole family enjoyed a wonderful Christmas… with a toilet.

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.41.27 PM

 

And celebrated 21 Christmases with this sweet girl!

Screen Shot 2013-12-31 at 2.40.48 PM

 

Now… onto 2014!!!  I’m ready!