J.J. Devine's Blog, page 24
November 9, 2017
Moving right along...
Good morning, everyone!!!It has been a busy 24 hours :) But of course I like busy so it was all good. Got my word count in yesterday morning before work thankfully because last evening I was too exhausted by the time I was able to sit down to even think much less write.
We had a small crew working on the daughter's water lines so I decided I would cook a nice dinner for all of them. So fried chicken with the works was it :) I also prepared the Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes for work today at the same time. Interesting little combination to say the least and boy does it smell good :) So if your out and about and somewhere close to Jonesboro this afternoon, stop on in at the Circle K and grab you a sandwich for lunch. They're only $1 and the money goes to charity :)
I'm still behind on the word count for my NaNoWriMo project, however, we are getting closer to having the daughter and the grandchildren back in their house and by that time hubby will be back out on the road so things around here will be deathly quiet once again. So catching up shouldn't be a problem. I also have next Wednesday off work so there is an entire writing day :) Unless I go help my sister with her apples then it will be part of a writing day :)
I'm hoping for an easy day today. You know those days where there isn't too much going on so you can get things done you want to get done and not have to feel pressured. Yeah, one of those days :) I have so many leftovers on the fried chicken that if I play my cards right we can do a leftover night for dinner tonight and even make this evening pretty simple :) Which is my goal :)
Sometimes in life we just need one of those easy days. Just let the day move right along and you just follow where it leads.
I've been seeing tons of posts lately on passing the blame for society once again. I just wish people could see and understand what we put out into this world is what we will get back. This means on all levels, not just personally. People place blame on objects and things such as music, games, ect. When in reality it is the emotions we put out into the world that are absorbed by others. Negativity feeds negativity until it explodes into a mess. If it wasn't fed it would eventually fade away.
Will we ever stop it? Probably not, because our society has become such a negative environment to live in. You will always have those people that when you give a solution will give you a hundred negative reasons why that can't be a solution.
Here's the thing. I used to allow negativity to drag me down. I would get up every morning with the same negative thoughts coursing through my head until I felt weighted down. I had no idea how to stop it. I saw no out. Then one day I couldn't take anymore. I sat down and just thought about how I wanted life to go. There were days where the smile of my grandchildren was the only positive aspect of my day, and I clung to it. I began seeking out the positive in each day. Some days it was so hard to find even one thing that went right that day. I would lay awake at night worrying over things I had no control over, but wanted desperately to control.
Then it happened. The more I did this, the easier it became to find the good in each day. I released the idea of I had to control everything. I found peace within the little things. I started sleeping better at night. I started waking up each day with a smile on my face and well rested. Life changed. I changed.
Sure, not every day is sunshine and roses, however, I still go through the day with a smile on my face and try my best to move right along. I find it silly to place blame on THINGS that can't control their own actions much less the actions of others. Because common sense is common sense. I get why people want to place that blame on objects, because it is easier to blame an object than to face the truth. Blaming has been and probably always will be human nature. But it doesn't make it a reality no matter how many people want to team up and place blame.
The reality is, when you feed negativity then it consumes. It takes over every aspect of your life. When you are in this mindset you look for validation. Anymore you don't have to look far to be validated in these thoughts or ideas either, all you have to do is hit the world wide web and there is your validation for any thought you might have, good or bad, it's all out there.
I challenge you to spend one day just looking up every negative thought you have on the web. How do you feel at the end of the day? Justified in your thinking? hmmmm
Then I challenge you to spend one day just looking up every positive thought you have on the web. How do you feel at the end of the day? Justified in your thinking? hmmmm
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
November 8, 2017
Another day...
Good morning, everyone!!!Another new day has begun. Now what kind of mischief can I get into? I'm sure I'll think of something before the day is over :)
Hubby got in last night so the 'water line' project begins this morning at the daughter's house. She managed to get him a few guys to help him and hopefully they'll be able to locate the issue and get it fixed in the next two days. I am sure she's ready to have it fixed and have water at her house once again.
This week has been pretty normal. We're working really hard at the store to make the charity successful. My boss brought in chili yesterday and another employee is bringing in sloppy joes today. I was going to bring in Philly steak and cheese sloppy joes tomorrow, but I almost think I need to figure out something different. We'll see what hits me as the day progresses :)
We have some amazing customers when it comes to our charity drives. This time our 'Pie Guy' has brought in all kinds of yummy treats for us to sale. Another customer has donated some of her jewelry :) which I love, so of course I picked up one of her pieces for myself :)
I'm very competitive when it comes to our charities. Mainly, because I like to see things succeed and I like to get our people revved up for such events. It's what I do :)
I've been selling my apple butter and I've even sold a few books lately. I had a woman come in yesterday who purchased The Cheyenne Bride off of me and she made my day. She was almost too emotional when telling me how much she loved my story and was so excited to hear it was part of a series. I love when something I write touches someone. She told me her husband was now reading it as well. That seems to be one thing about The Cheyenne Bride, men and women alike have told me how much they've enjoyed the storyline. Which really surprised me seeing as it is a romance novel.
My NaNoWriMo project this year is rewriting and polishing Destiny's Price. I've been basically keeping most of the dialogue but rewriting the rest. So it has been a long and lengthy project but I am loving the way it is coming out. Then Passionate Pursuit will be the next one to get polished and hopefully won't take nearly as long to get done :)
Well I guess I should get this day started.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
November 7, 2017
Romance Writers Weekly presents...
Welcome back to Romance Writer Weekly!!! This week I chose the topic for our blog. I've asked our authors to tell you what they're favorite fall activity is :) Remember the blog hop doesn't officially begin until 2 p.m. EST. So without further ado here's mine...
As those of you who follow my blog know, I'm a canning crazy woman. I would have to say this is one of my favorite fall activities. There is nothing sweeter than the smell of apples cooking bringing a yummy aroma to the house. This year my youngest sister has joined in on the fun and we've added so many new things to our 'try it' list.
Applesauce and apple butter have been my specialty for a few years now, but this year we've added apple cider vinegar and apple juice along with some non apple related goodies such as raspberry jam :)
Soon I'll be headed to her house to prepare some more goodies, things which we plan to try out on family for the Thanksgiving feast this year. She bought a thirty acre home last fall and we are still exploring the area to find what goodies grow wild on the property.
I guess you could say getting together with someone to do something so simple is probably the most fun of all. You share stories, you share ideas, and you execute these thoughts and ideas into something real.
Fall is a time for being thankful. I guess you could say I'm thankful for the company and knowledge. To share something I love with someone I love.
That's it for me :)Let's hop on over and see what Jenna has in store for us. Shall we???
November 6, 2017
Back to work...
Good morning, everyone!!!After four days off it is time to get back to work. I may not have gotten all of what I wanted to accomplish in over the course of these days off, but I did manage to get a lot done, so I'm happy with that :)
67 canning jars have been done!!! Plus about three gallons of apple juice. I have five to six more jars of apple butter to do this afternoon after work, then we can call it a day on this bushel of apples :)
My sister came over Saturday evening and she and I put up several jars of applesauce, raspberry jelly, and apple cider vinegar. Then yesterday I put up 23 jars of apple jelly, twelve regular and 11 apple cinnamon.
I was also able to get quite a bit in on my NaNoWriMo project :) This really made me happy. With hubby coming home I will most likely be working on this in the mornings before I head into work, this way when I get home from the day job my word count is already in :) This seemed to work out good for me last year toward the end of NaNoWriMo. I remember wishing I would have started that sooner LOL.
We have houseguests this week. The daughter and grandchildren are hanging out with us since hubby will be fixing a water leak at her house this time home. So they stayed over last night and plan to be here for a good part of the week.
My sister will be back over tonight to pick up the rest of her apples and some of the goodies canned over the weekend :)
I did manage to get things put back in some sort of order after all the canning mess :) Which this too makes me very happy :) Don't get me wrong there is still things to be put away, but the majority of it is cleaned up and done.
I thought I would dread going back to work after so many days off. But I woke up this morning willing and ready to get back to my normal work days. Which its probably good seeing as I'll be working the next 9 days :)
We had a really good writing meeting on Saturday. I walked away feeling energized which is a plus seeing as it is NaNoWriMo month :) I love when I get lost in the lives of my characters and this month's meeting only enhanced that which is wonderful :)
I guess you could say I feel refreshed this morning and also somewhat accomplished. I may not have gotten everything on my list completed, but I did manage to get a big chunk of things off my plate. For this I am thankful. I firmly believe in not downing oneself for what you haven't gotten done, but praise yourself for what you have accomplished. There is always time for the other things and if there isn't, well, then they weren't meant for you to do.
Life is too short to guilt yourself over the petty stuff. Start each new week with a game plan and do the best you can to accomplish what you set out to do, but also give yourself room to be human.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
November 4, 2017
Day 3 of my time off...
Good morning, everyone!!!Day three has arrived. Today is writing meeting day and I will be riding with a dear author friend to brainstorm and discuss our futures. Yeah, it's those sort of discussions that keep us going.
I went running around with my sister yesterday. We went to the orchard and each picked up a bushel of apples :) Then we headed out to Big R to pick up canning jars. Which I just happened to pick up the wrong small jars and decided to return those today after my meeting. Then something happened, I did some research and found a recipe for apple jelly and decided to keep those jars. So new project is on the horizon for tonight and tomorrow :)
We also stopped in at the new gift shop in my town. I've been wanting to get there for so long and yesterday just seemed like the perfect day to do it. It's called Bobbie's Unique Creations. I couldn't believe how reasonable the prices were and oh my how cute!!! I will definitely be going back there for some gifts this season.
I did finish up all my household chores yesterday :) The ones I planned to do anyway :) I also got in some good word count on my NaNoWriMo project and even felt the ignition of excitement :) I'm hoping to get a bit more done this morning before time to head out to my meeting, then a little more on it after the meeting while I'm working on apple butter and apple jelly :) So much to making these items that is hurry up and wait so it should be fairly easy to get in some writing time during that time frame :)
Tomorrow will be canning and writing. Which should be easy enough :) So, after the meeting today I will run to the store, grab a few meals to last a few days, and just stay home in pjs tomorrow to work work work. That's the plan and hopefully I can launch this idea to success :)
I plan to have a couple of crock pots going this evening to get these apples done. Then hopefully two more crockpots and it will be done for the season. We'll see how it all pans out :) One set cooking all night tonight the next set cooking all day tomorrow.
Well that's it for me today.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
November 3, 2017
November 03rd, 2017
Good morning, everyone!!!So much for my big plans yesterday. I did absolutely nothing but watch Stranger Things 2 and color a rose picture out of my adult coloring book.
My excuse? I just wanted to. It was so dreary outside and sprinkling when I took the grandkids to school. I was in my sweats and they were so comfy. I just told myself you have three more days off to be productive :)
Tomorrow is my writing meeting day :) Today, my sister has agreed to go to the orchard with me and she would like to learn to make applesauce so, that was easy to put off another day :) I was going to see if our other sister would like to go with us, but she didn't text back until I was asleep last night, so I've sent another text this morning and maybe she'll be awake before it is time to go. We'll see :)
So this morning I am going to vacuum and straighten up rooms after I take the grandkids to school. Hoping to get my shower before time to take them. Then prepare the kitchen for our endeavors :) I also want to look up a good recipe for raspberry jelly :) Then see what ingredients I already have :)
Yeah, it is going to be another fun day, but fun doing something I enjoy.
My sister doesn't get off work until around noonish, so I also plan to get some writing in before she heads over here. Which shouldn't be a problem considering I have about ten minutes worth of housework to do today :)
As I was coloring my picture last evening, watching Stranger Things 2, my story I'm working on for NaNoWriMo started coming into place nicely. Hence the reason for the day of chill.
Writing has always been my escape from reality. My safe place if you will. Lately, it has seemed more like a chore than a place of escape. So, I guess you could say I needed this to get my brain back in writing mode.
I just need to get 5,001 words in today to be caught up. Not a problem really, I just need to do it :) So much of my morning will be spent doing just that :)
I also planned some Christmas projects with the grandchildren. Hopefully these will begin on my next weekend off. I have to get with hubby to arrange his help for one of the projects, which should be fairly simple :) Surprises for their parents :) I really can't wait to start that project. We've been preparing for this one since our camping trip to Jellystone :)
A writer friend and I plan to go to our meeting together. We both need a brainstorming ride together and this is when we do it :) So, this should help with the NaNoWriMo stuff as well :)
Well I guess I should get off of here and get ready to hit the shower.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
November 2, 2017
My Saturday...
Good morning, everyone!!!I slept nine and a half hours last night so I'm good to go today :) I didn't mean to, but it just happened and I'm super glad it did :) I feel so refreshed for starting this day off after a ten day stretch.
Sure I woke up at 3 a.m. but I told myself, "Nope go back to sleep," and believe it or not I listened LOL.
I take two of the grandkids to school this morning. But that isn't for another two hours. By then I should be wide awake, coffee in me, and just about ready to get this day going. I'm hoping to go to the orchard this morning, but I'm afraid it may be closed for the season now. I will check around 9 a.m. to see if the 'Closed Now' is off their facebook page and if so I'll head over there then.
I want to get the apple butter started as soon as possible this morning so the house smells yummy all day :) That is if the orchard is still open for the season.
Other than that, I won't be doing much but writing today. I will wear sweats all day, no make up, and let my hair down LOL. I've earned this writing time and I am going to take it. I have a whole day and I plan to use it productively :)
I didn't get any words in on NaNoWriMo yesterday because, well... I fell asleep. So today is not only catch up, but go beyond :) That's the plan and I can multitask while I do it. By multitask I mean make apple butter LOL.
I'm pretty stoked for this day off to say the least. I have a few things I want to do around the house, but one of those can't be done until the youngest son leaves for work. I'm highly considering getting the stairs painted but can't really have anyone on them until they dry. That's just one of the many aspects of this house I am thinking on doing these next few days. I would like to have this project done and out of the way before hubby gets home along with painting the outside of the front door to match the inside. Yet, the little things I can do while I'm in writer brain :)
Well I guess I should sign off here for today.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
October 31, 2017
My Friday...
Good morning, everyone!!!Welcome to November, not only the month you find Thanksgiving and Black Friday, but also a month of insanity shared by numerous authors called NaNoWriMo ;)
Yeah it is a time in the year when authors gather collectively in their homes, at libraries, coffee shops, ect. to pour their heart and souls into a 50,000 word novel. Some finish, some don't, it's not about competing, it's about challenging ourselves, pushing the mark, and proving to ourselves we got this :)
Today also marks the end of my ten day stretch at work. My last day of doing books until my next weekend to work :) It also marks the eve of my four days off :)
Sure, my four days off are packed full of things to be done. Such as making more apple butter because the demand is real LOL. All I can say is I hope the orchard is still open and has apples :) Because for the next several days this house will be an insane mixture of writing frenzies and the cooking of apple butter :)
If I'm not at work all day today then I will be heading to the orchard after work. If I am at work all day then I will wait until tomorrow to head over there. It's one of those "we'll see how it goes" kind of days.
Yesterday was a bit of crazy. Our delivery driver has the gift of gab. At our store we discourage it, because by the time he gets to us, well, let's just say we've been ready for hours to get truck checked in and put away. Yesterday was the worst so far. He didn't even arrive at our store until almost noon. I was supposed to leave at noon. BUT because he spent too long gabbing at the other stores I wasn't able to get out of there until 2:30 p.m. I wasn't the happiest of people by the time he got there and I was definitely not in the mood for jabs at chatter. Thankfully, my co-workers were amazing. They worked tirelessly helping me get things put away as I got things checked in. They also kept my spirits up by being their cheerful selves :)
Thank goodness for good co-workers :)
Well I better get ready to get this day going. Lots to do today!!!
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
October 30, 2017
Happy Samhain...
Good morning, everyone!!!I'm here to wish everyone a Blessed Samhain (Sow-wen) to all!!!
This is definitely one of my favorite holidays. I love the costumes, seeing the smiles on children's faces, and just the happiness this holiday brings about.
I'm excited to see what the evening brings forth :) even though I will be calling it an early night tonight due to my last early early morning on Wednesday until my next weekend to work :)
I was so nervous about yesterday going into it. However, between one of my co-workers, my boss, and also my dearest Lady Bridget, I was able to make it through yesterday. Even when things went wrong I managed to remain calm and push through it. When I left there a few hours late, but I had everything accomplished I had set out to do and that felt pretty good.
I got signed up for NaNoWriMo last evening!!! YAY!!! So, yes, tomorrow begins the day!!! Wish me luck, because I am going to need it and tons of prayers as well :)
Yes, I will be an insane person by the end of November. I will be talking to myself more than I already do. I will be pushing the writing mark and driving myself over the edge of insanity ;) Oh wait, I've been in full blown insanity for most of my life, so this really isn't anything new :)
Just remember though, if I seem quiet some days, it isn't because I'm mad or angry with anyone. It is because my characters are screaming at me to get back to business and for whatever reason I am not able to at that moment. Be patient with me. Because this is just the writer side of me. It is something I can't help when I am deep into my characters and their story. Life moves in funny directions during NaNoWriMo time. Don't worry, I am still inside this insane person and from time to time I will do my best to show myself :)
Everyone have a lovely and safe Samhain!!!
Blessings to all!!!
October 29, 2017
Welcome to Monday...
Good morning, everyone!!!Well it's a new week and this one just happens to hold one of my most favorite holidays, Halloween!!!
Costumes, candy, children!!! Yeah, the three Cs :) I got my candy ready yesterday for passing out tomorrow. We've had our candy at work ready for a few weeks now :) Why, because we enjoy it :)
Today is also a day where I will be doing my boss's job all day. Yeah, I'm a bit nervous over that one for sure. See they've changed up a few of the things at work and how we do them. So, today for the first time on my own, I have things to do that I've never done before in this manner. Fortunately, I've got an amazing boss and she's tried to make things as easy for me as possible. So hopefully, I won't make them more difficult for myself than is necessary. Yeah, overthinking things does this to me I'm afraid.
So I am going to go in with the attitude I can do this even if it drives me nuts in the beginning :) Then we'll see how the day goes. We have a big sales change on Wednesday with Brandy's help I know I have this one :) Sales change day doesn't bother me as much as it once did when I didn't know what I was doing. :) I have cig and tobacco audits today, which I got that :) We do some sort of audit every week.
Am I nervous? Well of course. My boss and I are a team and when one team member is gone for whatever reason, well, I just feel off a little. But like everyone, she needs this time off, to rejuvenate her internal batteries and I am glad to be able to take over and do what I can to help her not worry too much about store business. That's my job :)
I just wish they would quit changing things up and let us get on with business LOL.
I did finally bring my plants in from the porch yesterday. I have one window in this house I can put plants in where they get enough light for the winter. This year, I've pushed that one window shelf to it's max trying to hold onto a couple of potted tomato plants for the winter months. Interesting enough two flower pots I had on my fairy garden table hadn't been ruined by the weather just yet, so yep, I brought those in too, we'll see how that works out LOL. My little lime tree also has blooms on it. Not sure what I will do if it produces limes, but I just thought it was pretty cool :) So it too is sitting in my window for the winter months.
I'm really hoping the weather warms up a bit for tomorrow night. I hate seeing kids have to wear their coats over their costumes just to treat or treat. I think it's neat when they are able to walk around in their costumes and show off their ideas for the holiday :) I remember a few Halloweens when the snow was flying and we still took the little ones out and about :) That year my nephews were really little and my sister had them dressed up like puppies :)
Well I guess I should prepare myself for the day ahead.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
