Peggy Jaeger's Blog, page 72

The highs and lows of 2022 in my life…

As this year closes out and we all catch the end-of-the-year reflection bug, I can’t help but think what a rollercoaster 2022 was – in the world and in my own life.

My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Sinclair, used to say that whenever we think of something bad happening we should balance it by thinking of something good. Makes sense, no?

So, here are the bad things that happened (to me) in 2022, first:

~ I got Covid. REALLLLLY bad covid even though I was double-vaxxed and triple-boosted. I was laid up for 10 days with a wracking cough, incredibly high fevers, and no energy at all.

~ I developed a ridiculous double ear infection that rendered me 95% deaf for almost 2 weeks.

~ I watched the slow, progressive decline of my parents’ health and mentation.

~ I didn’t win Powerball. Not even once!

~ I didn’t win Megamillions.

And now, the positive:

~ my grandson took his first steps, said his first words, and recognizes me enough to dive-bomb me with hugs and kisses whenever he sees me.

~ I wrote, and subsequently had published, 7 new books

~ I got a new writing/publishing contract from Magnolia Blossom Publishing for 5 books

~ I had my first 3 Paranormal romances published. Merry’s Ghost, The Haunting of Wilton June, and It’s Witch O’Clock Somewhere

~ I sold more books than any other year! ( Hubby likes this one best of all! hee hee)

~ I lost 21 pounds ( so far)

~ I attended 3 in-person romance conference/book signings this year – this was major since I didn’t do any in the 2 years Covid raged)

~ I had two personal book signings at a local bookstore.

~ I was a double-RONE nominee

~ I won a New Jersey Gold Leaf award for my very first Paranormal Romance, THE SHERIFF & THE PSYCHIC

~ My daughter finally had her many-times-Covid-postponed wedding celebration on Mt. Washington

~ My Grandson turned 1!

It’s nice when it’s all laid out like this that I can truly see the positive far outweighed the negative.

Here’s hoping 2023 is the same.

Photo of the day, day 364

I’m so making these next year for the nieces and nephews! Little candy sleighs. So cute

A #bookthrone Social Media follow & a chance to win a $250.00 Amazon GC!

I’ve teamed up with my favorite promo site, Bookthrone, and together with a host of other authors, we’re sponsoring a SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOW giveaway! Click on the landing link below, follow the instructions for following the authors, and then you’ll b entered in the giveaway!

And of course, please support the authors with your follows and book buys! My Dickens Holiday Romance, FIXING CHRISTMAS is featured in the promotion.

Here’s the landing link: SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOW and good luck!!!

Photo of the day, day 363

So, for the holidays this year, we decided to take Maple Leaf with us instead of putting her in a kennel because of her torn ACL. She’d never traveled so far in the car before, and she reacted well. I did feel, though, like someone was always watching me while we were driving, LOL

Photo of the day, day 362

So I had to post this picture because this angel just came to me right before Christmas. My dear friend, Jill, was recently in Italy and brought this angel back for me knowing 1. I love angels, and 2. I collect ornaments from wherever we go. She truly is a ride or die friend!

Photo of the day, day 361

So I bought myself this little alarm clock so I could do writing sprints. If you look at the top of the clock, between the two bells, is a hammer. This is how it chimes when you set it. If I don’t get frustrated and throw the thing against the wall, this might truly pan out for me! LOL

Photo of the day, day 360

So, two pictures today – a before and after, of sorts, lol!

35 years ago on a veryveryvery cold December 26, I said “I DO” to this man for life.

We’ve had a lot of laughs, a lot of tears, and a couple of relationship crises, but through it all, we can truly say, we made it.

One beautiful daughter, an amazing son-in-law, and a grandson who is the love of our lives later, and we are still here, together, stronger than ever.

Literally, my ride-or-die for eternity.

and aside from my huge arm, I think we look pretty damn hot!

My Christmas wish for you…

When I was a kid, my grandmother ( whom I always had a tortured relationship with) told me to make a wish every Christmas Day because it was Jesus’s birthday. I would counter that he really should make his own wish since it was, you know, HIS birthday. She’d cuff me on the side of the head, tsk, and explain that on his birthday, Jesus granted wishes.

To this day, where she got this notion, I have no idea. It doesn’t say this in the Bible. Anywhere.

But, if I argued further I’d get another cuff, this one harder, and then be sent to my room, so I caved and said, “okay.”

Every. Friggin’. Time.

A hundred years later, and I still don’t know where she got this idea, but I’ve incorporated it into my Christmas morning prayers for decades.

One year I wished to lose 50 pounds. Didn’t happen.

One year I wished for a new car. Nothing.

One year I wished for world peace. No explanation needed.

Another year I wished for a puppy. Okay, got that one – Maple Leaf, the love of my life and the bane of my existence!

This year, I’d like to make a wish for YOU:

On this holy day of miracles, magic, and joy, I wish you:

Love – for you and from me, for everyone in your realm

Laughter – to get through the tough times and make the happy ones more enjoyable

Light – to always guide you through the darkness

Health – to keep you with us as long as God allows.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza from my house to yours. Make your own wish on this day. It just may come true. ( just don’t wish to lose 50 pounds, ‘cuz that one never comes true!!! LOL)

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Photo of the day, day 359, the 25 days of Christmas Ornaments

The 2022 Jaeger scrawny tree! Complete with family dog to the left of the tree!

From my family to yours: The happiest of Holidays, and Merry Christmas !

Don’t lose sight of the holiday season….

Tomorrow is Christmas.

Seems like it came fast this year, but that’s because I’m getting older. I used to laugh when “older folks” said the years got quicker as they aged. Now, I’m one of the older folks, and I’m sorry to say, it’s true.

Amid all the shopping, and cooking, and baking; during the wrapping, sending out cards, and decorating; holiday parties, and holiday dressing, let’s not forget the real reason for Christmas.

We’re celebrating a birth tomorrow. And, while any new baby is a celebration, this one was – and continues to remain – one of the most important and influential in the history of mankind.

This baby was conceived so we could be forgiven our sins; this baby came into the world to spread love and light and teach the word of God, his father; this baby was born to show us the path to everlasting peace and joy.

Humble beginnings, a poor existence, and then a tragic death. This baby suffered it all for us.

So, when you are opening presents and loving that new piece of jewelry or toy, while you are eating until your pants stretch angrily across your waist, while you are spending time with the people you love most in the world ( hopefully, lol!) remember this: a child was born, and gave up his life, so you could live that life, be free of sin, and spend your everlasting life in paradise.

I fully understand not everyone believes in Jesus Christ and I respect that. But this is my belief.

Merry Christmas. Happy Hannukah, Joyous Kwanza.

Go in peace, my friends, and love one another.