J.J. Devine's Blog, page 15

Feeling a bit overwhelmed...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I received news this morning that deeply saddened me. A little boy's story I have been following since losing our sweet angel five years ago passed away last evening. 

​He fought the hard battle of living life after a horrible accident for five and a half years. I rejoiced in his accomplishments as he fought literally to live every day. He restored hope to my heart following his story.

​Yesterday marked five years since our little angel got her wings. I spent the day cuddling with our youngest granddaughter, who seemed exceptionally cuddly yesterday :) She had more hugs and kisses than normal. Which delighted this grandmother.

​With everything I need to get done over the next couple of days I just didn't have it in me yesterday. I know it's been five years, but those days seem like only yesterday. 

​When our little angel got her wings we only had two days before her sister's fifth birthday. I remember how difficult it was to try to be happy only two days after our loss. The most difficult thing in the world. We wanted her sister to have her special day, as well as we were mourning the loss of our beautiful little angel.

Heaven must be a beautiful place filled with playtime and laughter with so many little ones there. 

​My heart goes out to Tripp's family in the coming days, months, and yes, even years. Their strength and love was amazing to follow and enjoy. I know the difficult road ahead for them and my heart breaks for them. Please lift them up in your thought and prayers over the course of the coming days.

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

​Blessings to all!!!







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My day off!!!

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I really am not sure if I'm coming or going. I may have a few days off the day job, but the writing job is a full time job all on it's own. So much to prepare for in the next few days. I have some questions to answer for the Coffee Break segment of Cyber Con, I need to pick up headphones or learn how to connect my Bluetooth to my computer, so something by the end of the month for another recording ordeal for Nerd Rage :)

​Then there is National paperwork to finish, conflict of interest forms to print off, get them signed, then upload to the National site. Work some more on the PPMs for the chapter. Then in the midst of all of this help out with grandchildren, go to a couple of baby showers, attend a CRWA meeting, and spend a little time with hubby before he heads back out west.

​Somewhere in there is housecleaning and cooking. Then of course work on some writing somewhere in all of this as well. 

​Some time off huh. LOL. 

​This is what I live for. I love my writing world, however, over the course of the next year I will be making some big changes in this area of my life. I've made firm decisions and also given myself a time limit on those decisions. There are certain areas that no longer provide a good resource that I am spending good money on, which could be spent elsewhere. So, some things will be cut away to focus more closely on my writing and publishing areas.

​Well Lil Zoe will be here soon so I should really get ready for her visit today :) 

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!









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Time changes suck...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​Welcome to hell week. It usually takes me about a week to get used to this time change thing. I did books over the weekend at the day job, so instead of getting up at my normal 2 a.m. I got up at 1 a.m. just to ensure I had enough wake up time and coffee time to make me somewhat pleasant LOL.

​Lilli and Rudy were a bit baffled this morning when I took their blanket off their cage. See when I do books I don't wake them up until I come home later in the morning. But when I am just doing my normal job, well, I go ahead and get their blanket off the cage, and let them rise and shine with me. 

​This morning they just looked at me like, what are you doing, LOL. I swear it took them a complete half hour before they started flying around their cage, chatting. 

​My son and daughter-in-law showed up yesterday while I was putting together their newest cage. This one should be it, folks. It's about five feet tall and allows them to actually fly good. The youngest son was going to help me put it together, but with this crazy time change thing, we were never awake at the same time over the weekend. So when the oldest son and daughter-in-law arrived they helped me finish putting it together, thank goodness. It took all three of us to get this thing right. So many panels, so many doors, so much to do :) But Rudy and Lilli seem to love it, so it was well worth it. 

​I've decorated their new home with some fallen branches of the maple tree out front. They love those. It will take them a few days to incorporate the entire cage but I have faith they will. They've become the best of friends which makes me smile. I love listening to them chatter to each other. 

​Two more work days before I get my days off again :) Yes, I'm looking forward to those days off this week. Hubby will be home hopefully Tuesday evening. We have his doctor's appointment Wednesday but after that I think we're good for just hanging out :) 

​The weekend will be busy. I have my writing meeting Saturday morning. Then a baby shower for identical twin boys Saturday afternoon, then on Sunday another baby shower for the newest great niece :) So there is a lot going on for the weekend.

​Spring will be here in no time and then we can get back to outdoor fun once again. I'm getting excited for camping season this year as well as just being outdoors more. That's the time of year I feel more alive than the winter months. However, I know wintertime is that time of reflection so I understand it's purpose :) 

​Well I guess that's it for me today. I have work until 3 then home to prepare for a board meeting with my board. Then hopefully get this time change thing under control mentally :)

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!










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Coffee is my lifeline this morning...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​Three hours of sleep just isn't enough to call it sleep, just saying...

​I went to bed early last night because frankly I had no get up and go after work. I found myself dozing off as ID tv played on the tv. I knew I had to get up early early so figured why not go to bed. 

​Then of course as per usual my eyes were wide open. I would fall asleep, wake up a half hour later, wide eyed once again. This went on for three hours before sleep finally came and hubby called to wake me up to start my day.

​All I can say is coffee and I are best friends right now and I'm pretty sure that is the only way I will make it through this day. See tonight is time change, so what that means to me is I need to get up a half hour earlier because otherwise I won't get in my liquid gold (coffee) in the morning. So, I need to be tired by my even earlier bedtime tonight. I will watch the time go from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. tomorrow morning. This magic will happen an hour after I get up of course. 

​Gotta love that time change thing... one of the reasons I used to love Indiana was we didn't change times here. 

​It won't be too horrible I hope, considering I only have four work days left before some time off.

​It has been a super busy week and I'm starting to feel the effects this morning. Probably due to lack of sleep last night. I know I was over exhausted after yesterday's work day. We were so busy you could hardly breathe. Then I spent a few hours hurry up and waiting on the Indy Star people to respond to my call. Which they never ended up calling back. Some way to do business Indy Star people. But I did get all of Pepsi and Coke put away in the cooler and Coke didn't even show up until after I was supposed to already be home. 

​Then we had to deal with the Red Bull guy again, who wanted to act like he hadn't made an ass out of himself in front of my customers two weeks ago. He wanted to act like he had pretty much done nothing wrong. Kept kissing ass, which doesn't set well with me at all. If you act like that don't go back into the place and think a few pretty words are going to make everything okay. Nope, doesn't fly with this old lady. Don't throw shit around my store, then come back in and try to joke with me. Because frankly, all I really want to do is shove that product your bring in down your throat. BUT because I am professional, I refuse to allow your behavior to make me stoop that low. Instead, I will treat you like a professional and nope, you get no more than my company allows. Period. And if you come into my store one more time, throwing your shit around the store and acting like a misbehaving child, well, you will be asked to leave and I will phone your company for a new rep. That simple. Maybe just maybe, try an apology for your temper tantrum, oh and maybe just maybe, act like an adult and take some responsibility for your childish behavior. Just saying...

​Well it is time to get this day underway. Wish me luck...

Everyone have a good day!!!

Blessings to all!!!













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Snow again...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​To think a few short days ago my sister and I were walking through the woods, moving brush from the creek and this morning there is snow as far as the eye can see.

​That's how Indiana rolls I'm afraid. One moment it is beautiful out, barely need a coat, then the next you better have your long johns ready. By this time next week the temps are supposed to start rising again so this will be nothing more than a memory. 

​It's been such a busy week so far that I barely noticed the cold outside. Only when I've gone outdoors at work has it even been an issue. I'm sure I will be able to say the same for today. We still have some sales changes that haven't gone through so today will be another big VOID ticket day for me LOL. Checking product, making sure the changes are there, then put the signs back up. 

​I managed to get done all I needed to do yesterday and now I need to get to work heavy on the writing business aspect. There is so much I want to finish up on that home front that a little snow isn't going to bother me at all, seeing as I will be indoors all evening anyway. 

​Having Rudy and Lilli sort of brings the outdoors inside :) They are now very comfortable with one another and chirp and play all the time. It is fun to watch them and when you say Rudy's name, well, Lilli doesn't want to be left out, LOL, she will start chirping very loud to get the attention on her. Then of course her favorite position is hanging upside down from the top of the cage and peeking at you LOL. 

​So yes, it feels like springtime inside even though outside it still looks and feels like winter :) 

Well I guess that's it for me today. I need to start getting ready for this day.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!












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I can't believe it's already Wednesday...

Good morning, everyone!!! Happy Hump Day!!!

​This week has seemed to fly by already. I can't believe it's already Wednesday. We've been so busy at work this week that I imagine that's probably why things seem to be flying by, but I did have to do a double take when I looked at the calendar this morning.

​We've had a productive week for certain, gotten a lot accomplished in a few short days and have a ton of things to get done on the work front today with it being sales change. 

​I did manage to get in some housework last evening. I watched Lil Miss and Lil Zoe while their mommy went to see their great grandmother in the hospital. So while they played I cleaned. Something I needed to do the day before but with ankle issues it really didn't work out the way I had planned. Thankfully, yesterday it all came together and after work today I can do my banking and my shopping before coming home to hit the writing work.

​I have a few things to do business wise on the writing front. Then hit some more editing on Destiny's Price so I can get that done and ready to go. 

​We're already three months in to the new year. Three days into this new week. It's crazy how fast time flies. I will say it has been a productive month and week so far :) Which makes me smile.

​Now to make the rest of this week productive :) 

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!












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Romance Writers Weekly presents...

Welcome back to Romance Writers Weekly!!! Leslie Hachtel has asked us to share our thoughts on is what we do as Romance Writers important and why? Please note that the hop between blogs does not officially begin until 2 p.m. EST however I am blogging early due to my day job schedule. 

​So without further ado...
1. Romance writing is important in the aspect that I believe people need a form of literature that allows them to connect with the characters and their situations. Romance writing brings into light a part of ourselves we would love to keep fresh and alive in our memories. Where the romance in real life begins. Relationships evolve and become comfortable after awhile. Romance allows us to grasp that fresh and alive feeling once again.

​2. Everyone needs an escape from time to time. Reading gives us that escape. Romance can be sweet, edgy, suspenseful, true to life, depending on the author you read. 

​3. The romance writing community is not only a helpful community, but it is also a community of support, talented authors, and people who truly wish to see one another succeed. They understand one another better than even family and non writing friends. To be a part of this community is like being a part of something you never thought possible writing romance.

​4. Romance is an evolving genre. It is so much more today than what it was when our parents had romance novels in the dime store. Romance authors today have strived to take this genre to new levels and have succeeded. It is important to me to have strong heroines as role models. Women who do not need a partner that does everything for them, but compliments their qualities and helps them grow as a person throughout the book.

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That's it for me. Let's hop on over and see what Jenna Da Sie has to say on this topic. Shall we???

What a weekend...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​Whew, what a weekend. It started off with having the grandchildren over for a sleepover Friday night and ended with clearing the flow so to speak.

​The grandchildren and I had a good time Friday night into Saturday morning. We laughed and watched movies and hung out. I do enjoy hanging with the little people of our family. 

​Then Saturday evening a dear friend of mine came over and we headed out to Chesterfield for the evening services. Very moving and very enlightening to say the least. I've been dealing with some of my own inner demons as of late and also trying to combat some negativity that has been trying to leak into my world. When this happens, I feel pinned down because I try very hard to keep negativity at bay. 

​She and I discussed this at length. She helped me to see some solutions to the problems and last night I began to incorporate those into my life. I guess you could say I retook charge of things and have no issue throwing the negative out the door :)

​It is a beautiful thing when you know you can take charge of yourself and let things go that do not have a place in your world. 

​I've been feeling like things have been coming at me from all sides and hindering my progress in the areas of life I wish to see moving forward. This gives me a sense of drowning in my emotional world. I'm just glad it happened now when the weather is beginning to break because at least from time to time I can get outside and absorb the beautiful energy of nature.

Which brings me to my next topic LOL.

​Yesterday morning my sister texted and asked if I wanted to go for an adventure walk. Well of course I did. I needed a refreshing walk in nature after such an enlightening aspect into my soul. So we got together and headed to the woods once again.

​As we walked along the creek bed that flows through the woods, we decided we would clear the debris from the creek that was hindering its flow. Doing such is very symbolic for me, just like a deep clean on my house. It all has spiritual qualities that allow you to do something on both the physical plain and the spiritual one.

​For three hours we worked in the creek. We moved small items, such as leaves, twigs, and nuts. Symbolically, these things are the small worries in life. As you remove the physical you can feel the small things in life that are weighing you down, lift and flow away.

​We then found bigger things such as large logs and yes, even a huge tree stump that took both of us to move. The symbolism here is sometimes we need to discuss the bigger problems in life to see them more clearly. We may need a little helping hand to get the flow started again. 

​By the time our walk in the woods was finished we were both a good kind of exhausted. We had laughed so hard, we were soaking wet, and looked disheveled but we had accomplished a great deal. For me it accomplished a great deal more than just getting the water flowing in that creek, it got the juices of me flowing in a manner they needed to be reminded they could flow.

​I came home, took charge of one aspect of life that had really put me over the edge. I met with my board online. We discussed a few aspects of the chapter that have been getting me down. We put a plan together and will be executing this plan over the course of this week. We discussed my thoughts on the intrusive negativity trying to enter our realm. How this makes me defensive and less tolerant. We also discussed the fact I am not buying into the bullshit explanations and how we will handle such ordeals together as a board. If people are down on themselves, they should not try to bring others down but allow the flow of those around them help them to get back on track. 

​This is why we began the chapter we have now. To have a writing home where we can be who we are, who we wish to be, and move forward in our writing careers. Not get caught up in unnecessary drama that has been trying to leak into our world the last several months. So out with the bullshit and in with the refreshed renewal of who we started off to be. Nothing less will be tolerated.

​Well that's it for me this morning. It is time to begin my next nine day stretch. I will face this day with a refreshed sense of who I am.

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!








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Welcome to March...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​It has been a lazy kind of bring in March for this old girl. Lil Zoe came back over yesterday morning to spend a few hours with us. We chilled in front of the tv and colored :) By the time she went home, hubby and I didn't do much we just lounged around spending a while together doing a whole lot of nothing.

​Tonight I have all the grandchildren. We will be making little homemade pizzas, popcorn, play some games, and then most likely a movie or two at bedtime. Then tomorrow afternoon I host the Siren's Lounge page for an hour before heading out with a dear friend to Chesterfield.

​Sunday will be a more laid back day. Finishing up washing the bedding around here and getting some writing work done. I want to push the mark this month in the writing field and hopefully be able to do some writing on the back porch before the end of the month. Weather permitting :)

​March is that month where anything can happen. The son and daughter-in-law will be moving from their old house and hopefully to their new one. Ending one phase of their life and moving into the new phase. 

​My sister and I will be starting the seeding for the community garden :) Which reminds me that new life will be springing up all around us very soon.

​This is the month where hopes come alive and plans for the warmer months start to come together. Things around us start springing to life after a long winter's rest.

​Hubby and I's little relaxing day, well, that was preparing us for the times ahead, where those days won't revisit until next winter. Even though he and I only took a few of those together days this year LOL. We did manage to have a busy winter this year.

​Well I need to prepare the anthology page before I head out to start this day of work at the day job.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!











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Last day of February...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I'm sitting here doing laundry and waiting on lil Zoe and papaw to wake up, so I figured I would get some things done on the computer this morning as well :) The youngest son was a sweetheart and took two of the grandchildren to school this morning for me so I could sleep in a little bit :) 

​Update on Rudy and Lilli: They have become the best of friends in their little home. In fact this morning I woke up to them having rearranged a few things LOL, so to speak. Their natural perch is now angled in the cage. Lilli seems to love walking up and down that one a LOT. Rudy is such the charmer. Always looking after our Lilli girl. His singing has gotten so much stronger since her arrival. Where Lilli has such a calm soothing singing voice. But don't get me wrong, just like any woman, she can squawk her displeasure if Rudy does something she doesn't like LOL.

​The cat seems to have no more interest in them. Their singing doesn't bother her and she basically just ignores them these days. Shadow and Bear are getting used to them. They don't run to the cage now every time one of them lets out a chirp. 

​If Rudy wants your attention, he will chirp, then when spoken too, he does his little runway turn around, then hops from one perch to the next making sure you are still watching him. If you tell him he's a pretty bird, he will fluff out those feathers as if to say, "Naturally."

​They seem to understand their names, which is wonderful. I was worried about confusion with two of them, but when you speak names, each one cocks their head when you are saying their name and of course puts on a little show :)

​Every time they chirped last evening, lil Zoe just got so excited. "Birdies talk," she would exclaim. It was fun watching her with them. Then she would go sit down with Shadow and snuggle up to him. I told her coming to grandma and grandpa's is like coming to a zoo, LOL.

​Well I guess I should really get some more done around here while they are still sleeping. Laundry is a good start but there are a few other things around here I would like to do as well :)

​Everyone have a lovey day!!!

Blessings to all!!!









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