J.J. Devine's Blog, page 16

Thank God it's my Friday...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I'm praying very hard that today is NOT a repeat of yesterday. It's been a long long time since I've had a Monday that was more like a nightmare than a normal day. It seemed like at every turn something just pissed us off which was no way to have a day, but it was unavoidable for sure.

​I'm hoping today is much better. Its my Friday so one way or another it will be a good day LOL.

​Bright spots about yesterday...

I made it out alive :)
I got an extra hour on the time clock.
​I did manage to get the laundry folded and put away.
I got the cat box scooped and the trash taken out :)
I didn't have to handle all the nonsense alone.
​I made breakfast for dinner.
​I was able to watch ID tv without interruption and just let my brain chill.

See there were some bright spots to yesterday :)

​Today is delivery day and the day before audit. So today will be busy from start to finish. If we have to redo our scan audits for this week, well, let's just say it will be even busier than planned. But its my Friday!!!

​Some weeks are more insane than others but this last nine day stretch has been one of those weeks for sure. I need these next two days off to get myself back on track :) I have to get things ready for a grandchildren sleep over on Friday night. Then my busy day on Saturday :) This I know will do me a world of good for sure. It's been awhile since I went to Chesterfield and I'm really looking forward to hosting the reader page over at Siren's Lounge :) My plan is to sit down and outline what I want to do at the reader page for Saturday :) This will help things go smoother I believe :)

​Then I'm looking forward to spending time with my friend as we go to Chesterfield and enjoy services Saturday evening. I really hope the day is beautiful. I love to walk the grounds a bit before services.

​This is something I need for myself this weekend. 

​Well I better start getting ready to get this day going.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

​Blessings to all!!!











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The last few days of February...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​Yes, the pic above shows I've gone and done it again. I picked up Rudy Valentino a friend, Lillian (Lilli) Gish. I also picked up a fly cage for the two of them. Someplace for them to spread their wings so to speak LOL. I was feeling bad for poor Rudy. I'm away at work so much that I just felt like he would get bored without something to occupy his time, so I decided I would go and pick him up a friend. I can't believe how happy he is. Almost immediately he began to make friends with his new partner :) This made me very happy.

​The youngest son helped me get the cage and stand set up then helped me get the birds in the new living space. Then being the wonderful son he is he ordered supper for us :) 

​It was a long week last week and the next two days will be just as long I'm afraid. We have audit on Wednesday so the prep work can be brutal. Then with another couple of deliveries between now and then it just never ends I'm afraid.

​Thankfully I'm off Wednesday and Thursday then have my weekend off. Which Saturday is packed full :) I'll have the grandkids all night Friday. Then at 3 I'm hosting an hour on a reader page. Then after that I plan to go to Chesterfield with a dear friend. I'm really looking forward to these days off this week for certain :)

​Hubby should be home this evening some time and I still have a few things around here I want to get done. Then I still have some editing to work on for Destiny's Price and finish up the formatting. I'm hoping to have this ready for publishing by my next time off so I can dedicate some time to promos :) 

​Well I guess I should get ready to start this day.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

​Blessings to all!!!












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If this makes me racist then so be it...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​This is a deep topic and one I've been contemplating all week since reading a few posts and comments on social media. I was informed through social media that if I didn't believe in white privilege then I was racist. This set my soul on fire. Yes, I'm a white woman and yes, I'm proud to be one.

​Now with this said I am going to delve into this topic of not privilege for any race, but a topic I feel so strongly about that I just need to get it out. I grew up in a time when crosses burned in yards, not somewhere hidden away in people's yards, but right out front where all could see them when passing by. The first time I saw one of these crosses it was still smoldering the next morning when the school bus picked up my friend from her house. She was so embarrassed and not for the reasons you would think.

​We were third graders. Just little people. Her sister was married to a black man and they lived an hour away from our area. They had a beautiful little girl, whom my friend loved with all her heart. The message that cross sent her was she wasn't supposed to love her niece. She couldn't understand why people didn't want her to love that innocent little girl, that baby. She wanted to know how she was supposed to stop loving her niece, because society said, don't love her. 

​I held her why she cried. I told her she had every right to love her niece. I told her I didn't know why people were so mean.

​That morning impacted my life in such a way I swore to myself I would never base anything about a person on their color. Plain and simple. People were people.

​I look back on those days and see how far we have come as a society. I went to school with a wide variety of races. We learned so much from one another and about culture. We embraced one another even if our parents didn't. We learned from one another, but we also heard society scream out all the time, stay within your race. This seemed shallow and petty back then to those of us growing up in the seventies. 

​I raised my children to embrace the differences in human beings, not to judge people by the color of their skin, or their religions. I took color out of the equation.

​No, I am not blinded by the fact that society as a whole will categorize people based on color. I consider those people blinded by their own ignorance. To me friendships and relationships, even the casual every day should not be labeled. We should not say oh this is my black friend, my Indian friend, my Asian friend. No, color should not be a factor at all. They should be just 'my friend.'

​Until we stop labeling things in this Country, things will remain divided. Because we as a society have made them this way. We push the mark to encourage racism by labeling. Until the day we can wake up, smell the coffee, and say, It's time to stop putting a stigma on someone based on their color, we will always be stuck in this place.

​Since that morning all those years ago I have smiled inwardly knowing that couples today can be happy regardless of their race or intermingling of races. The majority of people today do not give snide looks when an interracial couple walk in, if they do, it is sad. You don't see the whispers like you did in my day. You see people going about their business, doing their shopping, or walking in the park, or whatever they may be doing, without interruption. Very unlike the old days.

​Yes, I may very well be closed minded on this topic. However, that is how it should be, because frankly, human beings are human beings, skin color should not factor into this at all. There are good and bad in all races, the statics are out there, research them. However, as long as we label people their will always be racism, because frankly, we're too arrogant to see past our own selves. 

​When we can learn to embrace people as people, respect one another's cultures, learn our own cultures and be proud of who we are and who they are, then maybe the words race and racism will be a thing of the past. 

You say it can't be that simple because...

​List your reasons. Do they include color in there anywhere? If so, who is racist? My line of thinking does not factor in color anywhere. So if my choosing to base people on their deeds in this life versus their color makes me racist then so be it. I would rather have love in my heart and soul for all human kind than to put stipulations on other human beings. Because at the end of the day, we are all human beings, we have all gone through something in our lifetime whether it was based on someone's prejudices or just the color of our skin or our sex. 

​Contrary to belief, this world has come a long way since 'the good old days' so to speak. I've witnessed it first hand. I've watched us silently grow as a society and recently I've watched our society go back a fifty years in their way of thinking. 

​Take it from someone who grew up in the sixties and seventies, you don't want to go back there. It was an ugly dark time for race. There was a time when the words 'white privilege' did ring true. A time when the KKK held power and were the things nightmares were made of. A time where people stood up for something and that something needed stood up for. 

​Today, the only thing that needs to change is how we look at other human beings. Our society has very little respect for self much less those around them. If people can take a drug knowing that it killed their best friend and then yell and scream at a cop or EMT for bringing them back to life because it killed their buzz, this is where the problem lies more so than who has what in this life because of the color of their skin. 

​When did we stop teaching our children to respect life in general? You want to know why things are happening, shootings, overdoses, the likes, just look at how society doesn't respect human life in general, then you will have your answers. If they can't respect their own life, don't expect them to respect the lives of others. No one is taught how to handle feelings and emotions anymore, they're just given a pill and told to go on their way. It doesn't matter the color of their skin in these instances, society just stopped caring about caring. So they quit raising their children with emotions and stifled these emotions. We've become a society of entitlement and no responsibility.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!














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Connecting on a spiritual level...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I've always been a firm believer people enter our lives for a reason. Whether it is something happening in our lives at the moment that our souls need support in one way or another, or just a spiritual friend to help us deepen our faith. People come and go into our lives to help guide us in the direction our path should take at that time.

​Last night I fired up my computer and the first thing I saw was a message from one of my friends with a few other friends thrown in on the conversation. What stood out, however, was the reminder of my spiritual side. I then messaged one of my other friends to ask about something she'd told me about and to find out how it went. This lead to an amazing conversation and reminded me just how important spiritual friends can be.

​They remind us that spirit is a gentle soul, who is not pushy, but is always constant. That reminder was eye opening but also feed my soul in a way it hadn't been fed in quite awhile. Just having such a conversation with a friend and then also realizing the reason this friend is present in my life was such a peace-filled feeling.

​This friend and I connect on a writing level, very well. We also connect on a friendship level, where we discuss life and what's happening in our lives. We offer one another advice, we give each other comfort when things seem to be falling apart. We also knew we believed much the same way.

​Then last evening during our conversation it was as if that spiritual connection clicked even deeper reminding me just how important a spiritual friend can be to the soul.

​This is one aspect of life people seem to put on the back burner. They find friends who feed all other aspects of their lives. Helping one to develop steady strong ways (or not so strong ways) of dealing with daily life. But when it comes to strengthening our souls, well, we always feel like there is time for that later.

​Then out of the blue Spirit reminds you now is the time. So we talked on a level that we upped the game a bit more. We spoke candidly on our beliefs and pushed forward in this aspect of our friendship. I've only met a handful of people in my lifetime that fits this bill for me. Three to be exact. However, two of which our souls are joined through Spirit and our writing world. Souls that can understand fully all that I am.

​Friendships that are not suffocating, but allow one to be free to be themselves without restriction. To me this is friendship. This is what we need to help us grow in life. They enhance all aspects of who you are, not just the areas needed for right now. It's such a beautiful thing.

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!










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Welcome to Wednesday...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​It was a pretty busy day at the day job. Everyone went back to school and work. Truck came so did all the sale cigarettes and tobacco, so that made getting things going yesterday a bit hectic. But hey, it's all in a day.

​I got a load of laundry washed and dried, but didn't get to the folding, which I'll need to do this evening. I was just too worn out last evening and still had some formatting to do, posts to schedule, and some other writing business to get discussed and worked on. So, it was a productive evening just not everything I had planned got finished. Today's another day though and I will not allow yesterday's unfinished business to interfere with today's mood :)

​Today I have strips to change on the cooler and new price tags to put up. I have two walk the cooler with two reps and then of course work my normal stuff in for the day job. Then there is another evening of writing, I think I'm going to take a break from formatting to actually write this evening :) I need that in my life :) But who knows, if I'm feeling froggy I may just add a bit of formatting in there to boot. I also need to work on scheduling for our fanpage and also work on the rules sheet. Also check with another member to see if they are interested in helping with this aspect.

​Since it is pay day also, there is a trip to the bank and possibly the store. We'll see if I feel like fighting more crowds after being at work all day :) It may just be a pick something up that's quick and be done with the day on that aspect.

​Well shower time is almost upon me, so I better get a couple more business posts done.

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!










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Interesting findings on my little feathered friend and other things...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​Last evening I did a bit more research on my little feathered friend, Valentino. Well, let's just say Valentino may be a Valentine, but I won't know for a little while longer. Turns out my little bird friend is somewhere between birth and 3 months old. Which is probably why there is so much to do in helping my little friend do certain things such as eat, bathe, and sing. When the cere, the part just above the beak, changes color then I will know for certain the sex. This doesn't happen until after three months old. Hence the reason I know it is somewhere between birth and three months :)

​Interesting the things you can learn each day if you just find a curious spot in your day. :)

​So for now I wait. I've decided to quit saying the name until I know for certain and just use simple phrases such as 'pretty bird' and 'good morning' for the time being. 

​I did a bit more formatting last evening. So things are moving along. I just need to keep going. I also managed to get things around the house done, with leaving a few things to do after work today :) Because heaven forbid I get everything I need to do done in one day LOL. 

​I've signed up for Brain to Books cyber con that happens in April. As well as I've got things up and going on our anthology fanpage for facebook. Click on the anthology fanpage in this post to check out our new page and like it if you so desire :) This is one of the aspects we've decided to use to help us push the mark a bit more with our anthologies :)

​Today will be another busy day at the day job. Truck should be arriving soon and so when I walk through those doors I will get started putting things away such as my cigarettes and tobacco products. This will take awhile depending on how much we receive today. Then it's the normal days work and hopefully before 2 the Pepsi truck arrives with our delivery.

​Then after work it is home to do some laundry, work on writing, and decide what to cook for dinner. Of course it will also be time to work with my little feathered friend a bit more :) I moved the cage room to room with me last evening so we could chat while I worked. That seemed to be something it enjoyed :) I'm pretty sure one of the sounds it will start making is the keyboard of my laptop LOL. Seeing as I set the cage on the desk beside me while I work :) We'll see.

​Well I guess I should start preparing for this day.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!











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May your new week be everything you need it to be...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​Last week was a rough one, but I guess it needed to be to get me to the place I am today, so I'm glad it's over, but glad it happened.

​I walked away from my writing meeting Saturday with a bit of deja vu which did not set well with me or some of the other members. I'm not sure if it is because we changed our meeting week from the first week to the third week, but whatever it was, it has to stop. On the upside, the board has been discussing the issues surrounding it and talking it out and the beauty of it is, we are all on the same page. A solution will be found.

​I don't like walking out of a writing meeting not stoked up for writing. However, I went straight to my sister's house from the meeting and we made the evening so productive :) We planned out the garden, we used Feng shui to help us design the garden as well as pick what goes where. It should be a very interesting summer to say the least :)

​I worked on some editing last evening and plan to get more done this evening with a write in with some of my fellow authors. I would like to get Destiny's Price ready for publishing by the beginning of next month :) To do that I need to really buckle down.

​Valentino is coming along nicely. He jumps on my finger from time to time. But we have gone a step backwards I feel seeing as I'm gone a lot during the day. When I first got him I was home all day, so he needs to get used to me being a working lady too, LOL. I put his cage on my desk while I work on writing. I'm sure soon he will be making the sounds of the keyboard LOL. When I'm away I put his cage up high on a shelf so the furbies can hear him but not taste him :) I am considering a bigger cage and maybe a friend. We'll see how the next few weeks go.

​My goal this week is to make it a productive one both at the day job, the writing job, and the housework scene. I have a lot to accomplish this week and I just need to do it. So, the goal is to get it done :)

Well I better get this day underway.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!













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Sometimes you just have to try something different...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​Hubby and I hit up the pet store on Valentine's Day. We needed some fish filters for our tanks and we rarely get out of the fish store without grabbing up a few more fish.

​Well just as always I spent time looking at all the other critters around the store, especially the birds. It dawned on me how long I've wanted a bird, however, I've never bothered to take myself seriously because hubby wasn't a real fan. 

​I adore birds. I love sitting out on the back porch in the warmer months watching and listening to them. So, Valentine's Day I decided, I am the one home all the time. I'm the one who feeds and cares for all the little lives we have in our home. Why not get a bird? So I did :)

​Meet Valentino. He spoke to my heart as I watched him in the cage with the other birds. The others seemed to overwhelm him. He seemed to like being in the cage with them, but he really wasn't a fan of playing with the others. I just felt a connection with this lil guy.

​So he came home with me and our bonding began. He is now eating off my hand and fingers. Occasionally, he sits on my fingers. I play youtube vidoes of other Parakeets singing and he sings with them. I researched information and found out some interesting things about these little birds, such as they love fruits and veggies :) Maybe he'll help me eat healthier all the time seeing as I will be keeping this stuff in the house :)

​He has stirred up the furbies curiosity for certain and for some odd reason he loves to sing when the dogs are close by LOL. He doesn't shy away from the dogs which I found strange seeing as these guys can be overwhelming to most humans. Since he doesn't shy away from them, when I'm gone from home Valentino's cage goes on the shelf my son made me last year for my birthday. It's high and none of the furbies in the house can get to it. When I'm home however, it he sits at the desk with me. We chat and converse and he watches the room around him, getting used to his new surroundings.

Well it is almost time to get this day going. 

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!











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Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!!

​This is the day for romance writers for certain. We spend every day surrounding ourselves with romance, love, relationships, and the likes through our writings.

​The good news is I have found my adventure, my focus, and I am out of that dark mood I was in the last few days. Thank goodness. I love when you are not looking for things and then they just fall into your lap. Sort of like hubby and I :) And that happened over 32 years ago :)

​Our dryer at home (this is going way back to when I lived at home) was on the blink. We would wash clothes at home and run to the laundry mat to dry them. One evening my parents were preparing to go bowling for dad's bowling night, when into the driveway pulled my aunt and uncle. Well we were low on towels because it wasn't time to go to the laundry mat yet that week. 

So while they were out at the bowling alley, I washed up the towels and headed out to the laundry mat. It just happened to be hubby's weekly laundry trip as well. 

​We knew each other through mutual friends so we struck up a conversation and talked for several hours. Since that night we've been a couple. We married and had our two months together on our honeymoon. And now 32 years later, we've raised three kids, have some amazing grandchildren, and we're embarking on a new aspect of our life.

​Love stories start somewhere. Where did yours begin?

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!












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It's my Friday...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​Yesterday was a horrible day. But I lived through it. Nothing about yesterday seemed positive so it turned into one of those days where I had to remind myself to seek out something positive. The only thing I could find was I got those damn shelves painted at work. Then I turned around and forgot the paper to bring home to scan and email. But those damn shelves are painted.

​Thankfully I had taken old clothes, because when I paint, I paint everything. My object to be painted, my hands, my clothes, the works. 

​By the time yesterday was over I was so emotionally and physically drained that I couldn't do anything more than just sit down. I hate times like this in life but I have reached the end of my rope and have felt like I've been barely hanging on. Yesterday was my end game.

​I'm thankful I have the next few days off. I need this to replenish myself. I don't get like this very often because I try very hard to be that ice queen, that person that let's things just flow and wash over me. However, after awhile I just can't do it anymore. I just have to let it out and let the chips fall where they may.

​I'm tired so tired of being the person who shoulders all the blame. I know as a mom, we are the ones who are blamed for everything that always goes wrong. Most times, I'm okay with that. But after so long, I just can't do it anymore.

​A celebration isn't a celebration when everyone is dreading the outcome. I just didn't have it in me to celebrate another year of life with the family when so many, including myself, was dreading the day. I truly thought about lying and saying I was sick and we couldn't do it. But all that would do is delay the outcome yet again. The more it played out in my head, the worse it got. I usually don't allow what might happen, what might be, rule the way I do things. However, this is just another replay of another time. That I just knew I couldn't do.

​I'm just tired. Another bout of 'I do everything wrong' just didn't sit well with me. I've tried the ignoring it. I tried just smiling and going on. I've tried holding the hurt inside and making excuses for it all. But, I have no more energy for it.

​I am not in control of anyone else's behaviors or their choices. I cannot hold the blame for this. I also cannot always shoulder the blame for someone else's choices in life by allowing them to always talk down to me, to make me the center of their anger and ridicule. But I have for a long time, because of hope.

​Hope things will be different. Hope that one day things will just fall into place. But it never does. I've come to the realization that I'm good for the little things but when it comes down to just being that person who someone wants to just sit and chat with, to shoot the breeze, to just hang with, well, I'm not that person. I'm the go to person in a pinch. The one that is always there when needed.

​So I have to reinvent things. I have to stop living for those moments and start finding a new path to make me feel less like the doll on the shelf and more like a human being again.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!











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