J.J. Devine's Blog, page 14
March 29, 2018
It may be raining outside but it's still a good day for a day off...
Good morning, everyone!!!These last two days have been overcast and no sunshine, but I have still managed to enjoy the time off the day job :) Sure, I'd rather have sunshine, but rain holds it's own purpose in this world as well, so it's all good.
Hubby and I were at the store yesterday and we found a perfect bike for me. I know I know we didn't need another bike, but hey, I'm a bit older now, so I sorta kinda require one that won't kill my ass. :) I can't wait to start riding it, because no, I don't ride in the rain. I will have him air up the tires and make sure it is ready before he heads out west again, that way as soon as we have a nice day, I'll get to riding :)
We will be starting a limited calorie diet together here in the next couple of weeks. Then when he comes home each time we can go into the doctor's office for an accountable weigh in. I adore the doctor we go to, she's so very personable and easy to talk to. She's not a tyrant when it comes to things and is willing to listen when we talk. She was really cool about our concerns on weight gain and was also pleasantly nice about things as well as helped us come up with a reasonable solution. She's a realist, she knows that it's a lifestyle not a diet that will help you take off weight and keep it off. And if we can just make things a habit then it will work :)
So, now the hard part goes into play. Hubby wants it but doesn't know if he is strong enough to maintain it, so that's why we both are doing this together :) To be each other's support system. I figure the best way to begin is to pick a date. Which is what I plan on offering this morning after he's up and around :)
I've been enjoying the peace and quiet this morning. Two grandchildren sleeping on the couch and loveseat. Hubby sound asleep in our room. The youngest son asleep upstairs. I caught up on sleeping last night so I'm well ready to go today :)
Sometimes you just have to take a few minutes to yourself in the early hours of the morning to start your day off right. :)
Well I guess I better get some blueberry pancakes started before this crowd awakes.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
March 28, 2018
Open your eyes, think for yourself, and by all means focus more on the uplifting than the tearing down...
Good morning, everyone!!!Sometimes in this life I just want to throw in the towel, become a hermit, and walk away from all the insanity in this world. Then I realize, I'm not filthy rich so I can't just disappear without a trace, LOL. It takes money to live and also money to follow your dreams.
So, I put on my big girl panties, jerk up those jeans, and carry on with the day. I remind myself quite often, I can say, I'm done a thousand times a day, but the reality is, I'm never quite done, because I don't believe in quitting :)
Just because a bad day or two tries to wiggle it's way into a day, a week, a month, even a year, doesn't mean I have to reside there. I'm at an age where I know deep in my heart it is where I focus my attention that matters. So I move forward whenever things like this happen.
Recently, I've found a few negative things going through my feeds. When I'm super busy in life and going through my feeds is the only moment of peace and quite I manage to get in for that day, well, it's disheartening. So I turn away from that peace and quite, because it is too soul wrenching to see how focused on one topic some people can be. There is more to life than what you see or read on the internet.
I quit watching the news and reading newspapers years ago when I realized it was no longer news but opinions. Journalism is supposed to be about facts, not the writers opinion. I'm too opinionated in my beliefs to be a journalist LOL. At least when I went to school for freelance writing that was the definition of journalist. Just the facts please. Opinions are formed from the facts not the journalist.
There isn't a thing that happens today that people (in the press) don't think it is their right to share their opinion. So, to me, this sort of journalism is nothing better than the trash papers we all used to laugh about back in the day. You remember The National Enquirer.
So I get my news from walking out in the real world. Listening to people talk, hearing their thoughts and opinions, then learning whether or not they focus too much on what they are seeing and reading in the mainstream news media. Or if they are looking at the world through open eyes. Seeing what is really going on in this world. All you have to do is open your eyes and look around where you live to actually see what is happening.
You can't do that sitting behind the internet or tv or newspaper all the time.
I've found thinking for myself. Focusing on what is real in my life and yes, even embracing the shit stuff in life just because it is part of life, is the best way to live my life. If I focused my attention all the time on all the horrible things this world has to offer I would always be depressed. There is enough in this life to bring about depression without obsessing over things that are beyond my control.
I'm a writer. It is what I do. I write romance, so emotions are kinda my thing. When you live in that world a good deal of your life, well, let's just say my emotions get enough of a workout without having to add to it. It is hard to distance yourself from the emotions of a character when you need to write deep POV. You focus on what emotion your character is going through, you describe it, you almost live it. It is just the way it is.
So today, my wish for you is to focus your energy where you are happiest. Give yourself permission to have good thoughts. And yes, it is okay, to focus your energy on the beauty in the world around you, even in the midst of the chaos.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
March 26, 2018
It's my FRIDAY!!!
Good morning, everyone!!!Thank god it's Friday. Okay, yes, I know it is only Tuesday, but it is the end of my nine day stretch, I have two days off, and yes, I consider it my FRIDAY!!!
Hubby will be home this evening with two days off as well, so it is our weekend :)
After work yesterday I took the oldest son and youngest granddaughter out to lunch. Then I went and checked out their new house. They've been moving things in so yesterday was time to put some things together.
Before I knew it we had the living room furniture put in their for now places, the bedrooms, and kitchen and dining room. :) When the daughter-in-law got back from visiting her grandmother, we emptied all the kitchen boxes :) Okay, so all the kitchen boxes we found anyway :)
I'm so excited for them. They seem to really love their new place. They have the most inviting front porch and their yard is so big at the new place. It makes my heart smile to see the girls' faces light up with excitement. I do believe they will be very happy in their new home.
Today is the last of my nine day stretch and doing books for a few weeks. I look forward to sleeping past 1:30 a.m. tomorrow, but no rest for the wicked, have to be up early and head out to the doctor first thing in the morning. Thursday, maybe Thursday, I can not set an alarm and sleep for as long as this old body will allow :)
This weekend, I am supposed to hang out with my sister for awhile. I'm really hoping the weather is beautiful and we can go for our springtime walk through the woods. I could really use that :)
Well it is almost time to get this day underway, so I guess I better sign off.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
Welcome to Monday!!!
Good morning, everyone!!!It may be your Monday but it is my Thursday!!! Definitely ready for a few days off this week.
I did manage to get a tiny bit of work done yesterday :) That always happens when I watch grandchildren. I need to keep moving during those times :)
The oldest son and daughter-in-law began moving into their new home!!! I'm so excited for them. I kept the girls for a little while yesterday while they moved some of their stuff in :) That little Zoe just made my heart smile. She climbed up on my lap, grabbed me by the face, and said, "Mamaw, I'm happy." It was not only her words or the smile on her face, but the smile that lit up her eyes that could tell you she was truly meaning those words.
I introduced them to Harry Potter which they really enjoyed. We cuddled on the couch and watched the movie. I do love cuddle time :) The oldest granddaughter came over for awhile to hang out with us as well, so this grandma had all her girls in one place for a time :) I do love spending time with my girls :)
Well two more days at the day job and this early early shift. Then things get crazy after my days off. But survive I will, :) I always do :)
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
March 24, 2018
Love and Hate...
Good morning, everyone!!!As a writer I deal with emotions on a daily basis. Not just the words but the actual emotions. How they bring about motivation in a character. How they affect my characters lives, their thoughts and actions.
One thing over the course of my lifetime in the writing world I've learned is every emotion stems from one of two base emotions, love or hate. Both of these emotions are powerful, can drive a character in all they do or say. They help push a plot forward, they help your characters grow. They help give conflict to your story.
Just as in writing it is the same in life. Love and hate drive the human race either forward or backward. It is what drives our passions, our lives, and how we react.
Living in love or hate is a choice we make. Sure, our pasts form our convictions. Those life lessons we learn from childhood we bring into our adulthood with clearer eyes and a better understanding. Helping us develop a love or hate on many situations in daily life.
I've spent the last several months clearing hate off my social media pages. Not so much clearing them of people for believing the way they do, but of people who seemingly live only in the hate aspect of these beliefs. You know the posts, where everything that spews from them seems surrounded in a world of nothing but judgement, hate, and anger.
There is nothing wrong with being angry. Nor is there anything wrong with hating something. But, four hundred times a day spewing this out into the social media world only spreads hate and brings people down.
Love and hate is a choice. If you chose to focus on the things you love in this world instead of so much of what you hate in this world, you find you look at life in a different aspect. You become more positive, more focused on the good you can bring into the world versus always seeing the negative.
When I see these posts of negativity always filling my feeds from the same people all the time, it is nothing against them but an aspect of myself that I chose to unfollow them. I know emotionally reading such negativity doesn't make me agree or disagree with them even more, it only brings me down emotionally. Taking me to a place I work very hard to stay away from.
Deep emotions are something we all have. But living in a world of hate all the time is not a place to take up residence. People begin to wonder, is this their life all the time? Do they ever have a happy moment?
I find times where I just have to skip over posts or unfollow, or even just stay away from social media when things like this seem overwhelming.
People find the smallest or biggest thing to rant on and on and on about, and never let up. They justify this by saying it is their right to speak out, and it is, but you can only beat a dead horse so long.
It is always surprising to me to see how many people out there want to put bandaids on the problems and not see the source. It's so sad. Because all bandaids do is cover up the issue for a little while. All wounds need air to heal. Along with proper treatment.
Well, I need to get this day underway and see what I can get into today.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
March 23, 2018
Please let it be a good day...
Good morning, everyone!!!I've had better days and I've had worse days, but yesterday was right up there. So today, I'm going to not only be determined for it to be a productive day (after work and a little nap) but a good day.
I worked ten and a half hours yesterday, but didn't leave work until after I'd been there eleven hours. I don't know if I've mentioned how much I hate change, especially changes that don't make much sense to me. It takes me a while to wrap my brain around things like that. But it's all good, change we did, and change we'll see through.
If it could go wrong it did go wrong yesterday. But thankfully, I have an amazing boss, and some pretty great coworkers. That sort of thing comes in handy when you find yourself thrown into the abyss and need a bit of life help :)
Yeah, you could say I almost felt like I was drowning yesterday. I really think it wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't for the fact that I have been burning the candle at both ends for the last several weeks. So today, after work, I plan to give myself a bit of chill time. Do nothing more than exist for a few hours and yes, probably take a nice nap.
I also felt so horrible yesterday. My daughter-in-law is going through probably one of the toughest things a person can go through right now. The harder I tried to get things done yesterday to be able to help her, the more things went wrong. It was like I was trying to swim upstream in hard current. My heart breaks for her and I know she's a strong lady, who can do whatever she puts her mind too, but sometimes in this life even the strongest of us need to be able to lean on someone. So please, keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She could really use to be lifted up right now and help her make the toughest decisions of her life. Sweetie, if you are reading this, please know I am here for you in whatever you need. To watch the girls, to fix a meal, to help you all get moved, just to talk, whatever you need, I will help as much as possible. Love you with all my heart.
Today, will be a better day. I will get my work done in a timely manner at the day job. I will grab a tiny bit of rest after work to make up for being so mentally drained yesterday. I will then get some things done around here that I've put off. And I will make this day happen :)
Well I guess I should sign off of here for today. I have about forty-five more minutes to wake up good before this day begins and I really need that this morning.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
March 22, 2018
I'm determined to make this day productive...
Good morning, everyone!!!I know it's early early but my work days over the course of the next five days begin at 1:30 a.m. So, this is it for the next few days, up early, work early, home (hopefully) early, then bed early :) I'm starting to see a pattern here LOL.
Another change has been introduced to us at the day job, yay rah!!! This time it is dealing with our paychecks so there is no room for error whatsoever. So, the boss is coming in on her vacation day to help me get things set up because neither of us have a clue as to what we are doing but know we have to figure it out. Today could prove really easy or really hard, either way we will get through it.
Fridays are a pretty busy day around the day job already. So many deliveries so much to do, but hey, at the end of the day you know you've worked LOL.
I cooked ahead for the weekend. So the youngest son and I have a pot of chili and a meatloaf for consumption. He'll still be asleep when I go to bed and when he gets home from work I will already be at work. So this just works out best if I have it already cooked and just ready to heat up :) This beats frozen pizzas and junk food.
They're calling for more snow tomorrow then warmer weather on Sunday. I really hope this is the last of the snow for the season. It's beautiful during the winter months, but now I'm ready for more springtime weather and the ability to get outdoors more often.
I'm not one to panic when they call for snow. I just wait and see if it happens. Since growing up there's been few times where the weather has kept us in, not allowing us to leave. Growing up back in the day, we did have times we were snowed in and couldn't leave the house. Living in small towns has changed that for certain. They always manage to get things moving again in town versus way out in the country :) So, a little snow is just a little snow. I've come to realize the rumors before it happens is most times worse than the actual weather. So just waiting and watching is the best course of action.
I didn't get as much done as I wanted to yesterday. But I did get done what I needed to. So I'm taking that as a win win. I still have several days before hubby comes home and I'll get done what I can before he gets here and what I can't, well, I'll just do on our days off :) I'm putting a great deal of focus on both the day job and the writing job and I have to give myself some slack in other areas if I'm going to hold onto any sort of sanity. So, I just have to make myself be happy with the productivity and breathe through all else.
Well I need to hit the shower and prepare for this day.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
Just a few more weeks and the insanity... who are we kidding the chaos will always be there LOL
Good morning, everyone!!! Just a little fyi here, I typed in the word 'insanity' into a search engine and all that came up was exercise pics, just thought you might want to know...
As productive as these last couple of weeks have been, I have to admit two full time jobs does have it's set backs. I'm hoping today to get a few things done around the house after the day job, but there is a ton of things I still have to do in the writing job, so not sure how housework productive I will be again today. But I do need to make that meatloaf and that pot of chili so wish me luck at least in those areas :)
I pulled all the clothes out of my big dresser the other day in hopes of going through them. Well, it's days later and that pile is still sitting there. I will get that done, it may not be until my day off next week BUT I will get it done.
I am dog sitting for the granddog until mommy and daddy get moved into their new house. But she's an old lady and pretty chill :) The boys don't seem to mind, in fact, they probably enjoy her company :) Hubby will be home next week and of course he is known as the dog whisperer around here so I am sure he'll enjoy having her over and getting to hang out with her :)
My board met up again online last evening. We have some fun and exciting new ideas to bring to all of you over the course of the next couple of months :) I'm so thrilled to be working with this wonderful bunch of ladies :) When we put our brains together we can be ruthless LOL.
Well that's it for me today. Work until 2 then home to cook and clean and get in some more on the writing world. The next two or three weeks are going to be crazy. I'm hoping my sister and I can get in our spring walk through the woods during this time just to take a break from life for a few hours :)
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
March 21, 2018
I'm blaming all those people who used the "S" word...
Good morning, everyone!!!Yep, I'm blaming all the people who decided to use the "S" word yesterday for waking up this morning to the ground covered in white. Where is your positive thinking??? Ah yes, you were positive when you mentioned that yukky "S" word weren't you??? Well now you've gone and done it, talked this stuff into existence, hope you're happy, LOL.
On a more serious note... The winds have been blowing for two days now, so it was only a matter of time. Plus hubby's been driving in this stuff for a few days, so it was bound to hit us.
On the bright side, Lilli and Rudy are chattering like it's spring so that makes it all okay :)
The other morning the two of them weren't speaking. In fact, Lilli seemed pretty ticked off at Rudy. When I took their blanket off their cage, she was sitting on the lowest perch and he was on the highest perch. When he would try to occupy the perch she was on she would screech at him and fly away or screech at him and attack him. Yeah, I'm not real sure what he did but boy oh boy was she mad.
They've since made up and have been playing like normal. This morning they are utilizing their entire cage, flying around, chattering, and getting that exercise they need :) Shadow doesn't seem phased by them this morning which is a good thing. A lot of the time when they start chattering Shadow gets that worried look in his eyes and stands by the cage just watching them. Maybe he's getting used to them? Maybe he's just ignoring them this morning? Who knows???
My schedule gets super crazy over the next two weeks. Tomorrow is my last day of normal for a few days, then I do books for five days, then my days off. Then my normal schedule, then 3rd shift for a few nights, then a day off before doing books again :) I'm mentally preparing for this so wish me luck :)
Well I better get the rest of what I need to get done then hit the shower. I hope you people who couldn't help yourselves from mentioning the "S" word all day yesterday are happy.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
March 20, 2018
Welcome Springtime, I've missed you...
Good morning, everyone!!!Welcome to the first day of spring!!! Sure this morning it is cold out there but this season has the promise of warmer days to come, which makes me so very happy!!!
Soon it will be mornings spent doing this out on my back porch, sitting in my swing, enjoying the outdoors before the day begins. Ahhhhhh.....
Cooking out, roaring fires in the fire pit, getting the camper ready for a season of campground fun. Oh the things spring brings with it!!!
I am in die or need of sunshine and fresh air for sure.
I've been so swamped with work and everything writing that I haven't had a moments peace. Sure this is what I signed up for :) But man, things have definitely been a bit overwhelming. I signed up for this B2Bcybercon, oh my word, so much to do to prepare :) I never dreamed how big this is and how much fun it will be once all the things are set in place. There is so much prep work, which I don't mind at all, but sometimes when you're not prepared it takes you by surprise :)
Then there is chapter stuff that must be done. Writing I really want to get done. There is just not enough hours in a day I'm afraid.
I know it will all come together sooner or later. I just have to be patient. :)
Today I go to grandparents night with Ava. So that will be a bright spot in my day. I'm really excited about spending the first day of spring with her :)
Especially after a day like I know is awaiting me at the day job today. Delivery day once again. It will be nice to take a moment away from it all to spend with a granddaughter :)
Well I better get this day going.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
