J.J. Devine's Blog, page 25
October 28, 2017
Good morning...
Good morning, everyone!!!It's that time of day once again. I finished watching 13 Reasons Why yesterday. Very good show. I highly recommend it. It may deal with teenagers, however, it also deals with life in general and how the small things build up to become big things, until the pressure is unbearable.
It was mentioned numerous times throughout the show, "She chose to take her own life." Yes, that was her ultimate decision, but, I get it. I understand her pain. I understand the desire to just make it stop. I also understand sometimes we can't see past the pain to see there is other possibilities.
Always remember our actions always bring about a reaction. If just one person on her list would have changed their actions maybe just maybe her reaction would have been different.
I see so much negative spewing out into the world these days and I fear the reactions that are yet to come. So many choose to always see the negative and for one reason or another feel it is their duty to spew this negativity out into the world around them. A line from the show that really stuck with me was, "Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter they've made us a society full of stalkers." This rings true on so many levels.
You've heard it before and I'm going to say it again. Society hides behind a keyboard, where they don't have to directly deal with the personal side of their actions. Then they hide behind a keyboard while they spout off about the reactions that come from putting so much negativity into the world.
Sure, we are more connected in this world today because of the world wide web, but we are also more disconnected in this world because of the world wide web.
People are more bold today than ever before because they can use a keyboard to do their talking. They don't get to see the effects their words have on someone else.
I go back to election time and the after election posts that remain in the wake of a horrifying year leading up to it. People just throwing out hateful words continuously. It was exhausting leading up to the elections and I was truly looking forward to the elections being over because I was ready for people to just quit being so hateful with one another. Then when it was all over, what happened? More hate... Sad, but true.
Now it isn't all about elections, now it is people attacking people for the hell of it. Why? Because society has decided it is okay to be hateful and negative. The favorite line seems to be, "I don't mean to start an argument here..." Yes, you do, don't hide behind those words, if you are putting it out there in that manner, you do mean to start another hate fest. It's that simple.
I have never in my life been so over all the hate. It has sucked the joy right out of life in some aspects for me. I dread getting online more than once a day now. Because frankly, it makes me sick to my stomach and from people I would have never thought would be this way. It has made me see people in a light I wish I never would have seen come out in them. It has made me rethink personal friendships, not because their opinions differ from mine, but because of the hateful way they go about putting their thoughts out there in the world.
I'm very picky about my inner circle of people. I compartmentalize people I know. People who share my views. People who don't share my views. People who share my views or don't but spew hate into the world each and every chance they get. See, I distance myself from those who feel it necessary to be hateful with those who don't have the same beliefs. I frankly don't care if we share the same views, but I do care if you and I can only argue over points all the time and have no other conversations other than arguing. It is a waste of time and energy.
The world is full of people with different opinions. That's what makes the world a unique place. However, we should embrace these differences instead of trying to make one another feel small for how we believe.
So before you go spewing hate into the world, think about the reaction your action will have. Then decide, is it worth it? Because sometimes the reaction is greater than the action, just saying. You wonder why there is so many shootings in this world right now? Think about what you are reading and hearing on the world wide web. What seed has that planted in someone's mind? Just a thought...
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
October 27, 2017
And so it begins...
Good morning, everyone!!!Yes, I realize it is early, but that's the way it will be for the next five days. Early early shifts :)
I'm truly hoping for a great week, no call offs, everything to go smooth, and that insane lottery to work out LOL. I don't do change well for sure.
I had trouble getting to sleep last night. I think it was from sleeping so much the day before to be honest. Plus I began watching the Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why. If you haven't watched it, you should. I will probably finish it off over the weekend during those chill down times before I hit the sack.
I work today until 10 a.m. then Bug has a football game. Then I have a little bit to do around the house and get signed up to do NaNoWriMo. So yeah, it is going to be a pretty busy day before my early early bedtime this evening.
I have been mulling over what to do next in my writing world. Not so much story wise because I have enough manuscripts to keep me busy for years :) However, I have some other aspects I need to make some major decisions on. So, I really need to do some soul searching in the near future to make solid decisions.
Sometimes life takes us in new directions for a reason and I believe I am at that turning point. Asking myself why I am still doing this or that, what benefit is it really?
Ahhhh, decisions decisions...
Well I need to hit the shower.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
Charity...
Good morning, everyone!!!Today kicks off our Fall Charity Drive. We've been planning for months for this :) In fact, our people have brought in already some of the neatest ideas for raffle baskets :)
Something you don't get at a lot of places of employment is a feeling of family. At our little store you have that in spades. The charities we do twice a year, well, it just shows you how much :)
So when you're out and about today, stop in. We have some awesome baskets we will be raffling off right before Thanksgiving!!! We have something for everyone :) Tickets are $1 for one $5 for six!!!
I will also be taking up my applesauce and apple butter for people to buy. All proceeds go to our charity :) Along with a couple copies of my books :)
I love this time of year. This aspect anyway. I'm not super fond of the cold then hot weather we've been having, but the charity drives, those are fun :)
Yesterday morning it was 32 degrees this morning we're back to 53 degrees. Yeah, Mother Nature forgot her meds again. No wonder everyone around the area is getting sick.
I was so drained by yesterday afternoon, I believe I slept from the time hubby left until 5 this morning. Crazy huh?!? I did wake up a few times in between but not for long. I stumbled into my bed around 1:30 a.m. to finish out the night.
There are just somethings in life that drained the energy right out of you, and I had one of those days the other day. The only solution was to grab a bit of extra sleep. So that's what I did. I'm happy to say I'm back to me again :)
Well I guess I better get busy. I have a truck to load before I head out :)
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
October 25, 2017
Decluttering Life...
Good morning, everyone!!!I definitely feel much better this week thankfully. Which in turn makes me want to get things done.
Over the course of the summer I spend more time outdoors than indoors, so things inside get a bit cluttered. It drives me crazy once I'm indoors more than out. So, the game plan is to begin the decluttering process :)
At work yesterday I was a crazy lady. I sanitized and cleaned a good many things around the store :) Because yes, tis the season to sanitize. Then when I came home, well, I continued this by coming up with a game plan and started decluttering my house.
Now mind you, over the summer months I collect way too much in one too many areas of this house for this to be a simple task. So I started small, organized my desk in the living room and dusted :) As the week goes on and my next scheduled days off come around my hope is to go room by room and organize and declutter for the up and coming colder months :)
What this does for me is free up my brain to allow me to think more clearly over the course of the winter months. It gives me a sense of accomplishment before I go into hibernation mode :)
Yeah, I only leave the house in the colder months when I have to. So home is a place I want organized where I can breathe a sigh of relief and relax.
So, the decluttering process begins once again.
This helps me declutter my thoughts, helps me get more organized in my soul. Which is always helpful to say the least.
NaNoWriMo begins in a week and I want to be ready to go this year. Hoping this year is different than the last few years. I really need this to happen this year in more ways than one. I need that unbridled energy that goes with NaNoWriMo back into my life :) It's just that simple. If I declutter life before hand maybe this year I will just focus on what I need to do. It's a wishful hope for sure :)
Well I'm off to hit the shower to hopefully grab the same energy I had yesterday today :)
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
October 24, 2017
Romance Writers Weekly presents...
Welcome back to Romance Writers Weekly presents...This week Leslie Hachtel would like us to tell you about our guilty pleasures. I'm pretty sure this topic could get pretty interesting, don't you :)
Just a reminder the hop doesn't officially begin until 2 p.m. EST. So if your visiting my page early please come back and hop through the blogs to check out everyone's answers :)
My Guilty Pleasure...
After some thought on this one, because frankly I have a few guilty pleasures LOL, I decided on the one that most benefits me from time to time, a day off of life.My brain and body go continuously. I'm always getting these ideas in my head that keep me going until I collapse at night only to get up in the morning the next day and start all over. I take my responsibilities very seriously so I don't allow myself much time for anything else some weeks or even months.
So from time to time I need to recharge. Sure, I try to plan in advance for this, making sure all my chores are done in advance. I am also very OCD at times so leaving a task undone doesn't make for a very good hooky day if it is lingering over my head.
But when I do finally take a day off, I really take a day off. I stay in my pjs, I binge watch stupid movies or shows, cuddle up on the couch with a pillow and a blanket, and if I fall asleep, well, I fall asleep. I don't worry about diet, because frankly you can't take a true day off if you are constantly worried about what you eat. I indulge in junk food and usually even order in for dinner, if I even worry about doing dinner that night.
Sometimes I will even take a spa bath, where I can just relax in the tub, meditate, and just enjoy not being responsible for anything at all in that moment.
So there you have it, my guilty pleasure :) Winter is coming here in Indiana and I'm actually looking forward to a few of these over the course of the coming months :)
Let's hop on over and see what A. S. Fenichel has in store for us, shall we???
October 23, 2017
The last full week of October...
Good morning, everyone!!!October is a busy month for our family. My oldest son was born this very day thirty years ago. His wife was also born in October and both their girls are also October babies. This week not only marks his thirtieth birthday, but also marks his youngest daughter's second birthday :)
At this time thirty years ago hubby and I were just arriving at the hospital. I was twenty days overdue. I also figured we would be settling in for a long labor process. Boy, was I wrong. By eight-forty-five our boy was in the world :)
It seems like only yesterday but thirty years have flown by. Our boy is now a grown man with a family of his own. Where did the time go? I'm super proud of the man he's become. He's a hard worker. A great father. A wonderful husband. He has the biggest heart I've ever seen. He's amazing with his daughters. We couldn't be more proud of the man he's become.
You always here time flies by. That childhood is gone in the blink of an eye. Well, it's true. I know at times it doesn't feel like it especially if you have more than one child. There are times when you tell yourself I can't wait until they're older. Yes, you can, believe me.
Once they've grown and gone out on their own, things are way different. The quiet you used to long for can become deafening at times. You'll leave your house messy for a few days, giving yourself the illusion of cleaning up after that family that has now grown up and gone away.
Just like it felt October began only a few short days ago, it is that way with children. One minute they are under your feet, toys strung from room to room, the next their toys are gone, and they are now out on their own, all grown up, repeating the things you once did for them for their own children.
Life is funny that way. Here our little boy is now thirty. His oldest child turned seven last week, his youngest turns two in two days. It is hardly possible but yet here it is happening right before our eyes.
Strange how life moves so fast, but at times it feels so slow.
I encourage you to treasure those moments when they are small. Because before you know it, they are grown and that time you think will never end is nothing more than fond memories of yesterday.
Happy Birthday my amazing son!!! We love you so very much!!!
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
October 22, 2017
Time to get this day moving...
Good morning, everyone!!!I woke up this morning with ideas on what I want to accomplish today. So, I've already begun by getting the hair color on the hair. Will it cover the gray??? LOL, probably not completely, it never does anymore.
Then I'll get the pressure cooker out and start working on the chicken both for chicken and noodles and also for the dog food I'm going to make up today.
Then we have our granddaughters birthday party this afternoon :) I can't wait to see how they've decorated for their Halloween themed birthday party :) This old grandma may even dress up, not quite sure yet, but it is possible.
Hubby is mowing the lawn hopefully for the last time this year. Then later this week he and the oldest son will be winterizing the campers.
Hubby starts his new run this week. Like his old run only this one is year around instead of summers off. So it will be a bit of a change for us and most likely easier to get used to. In December I will be shifting my schedule around to work with his schedule. Then hopefully I'll have myself on a more normal schedule and can focus better on the things I need to do. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Until then, I'm taking it day by day. Doing what I can and making myself be happy with that :) I have so many plans for the winter months and am hopeful that I actually get them all accomplished by spring :)
I feel like I've over exerted myself over the course of September and October and now I've been paying for it. So, I realized I probably need to slow down a bit and just start doing only what I can and leaving the rest alone for the next day. It's funny how when you listen to your body talk to you the things you can learn. I've spent a good deal of this week down and out and I know it was from things finally catching up with me. Today being the first day I've even felt more like myself all week. I hate when I do this to myself, in fact, I told myself back when things were insanely crazy, "Girl, you need to slow it down, or your body is going to slow you down." I ignored my intuition and see what happened. Yeah, I hate when I don't listen.
Well I guess I better jump in the shower and get this hair color off my head.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
October 20, 2017
TGIF...
Good morning, everyone!!!It's Friday!!! It's also the Friday before my weekend off!!! I'm truly hoping for a better weekend than my week has been. I've been fighting this headache all week, making life a bit uncomfortable to say the least. It began Monday and lasted until yesterday. Knocking on wood it doesn't show back up today.
Food hasn't sounded good all week, so making meals around here has been tricky. I had one of the granddaughters on Tuesday night into Wednesday, so she needed to eat LOL. Then Wednesday night into Thursday I had two more of the grandchildren and they had to eat. By last evening I really didn't want to see food. All I can say is I'm glad it's Friday and after work today I will just relax some more and hopefully get this under control.
I did manage to get minor housework in over the last couple of days. That was a plus. I also read a story idea an author friend of mine came up with, can't wait to see where she takes this character. I won't go into details because it is a very fresh and new story idea but I think this author will bring a new light to a very interesting topic :)
Hubby should be back home tomorrow sometime. Then he will run another small run before taking a few days off to prepare for his new run this year.
I guess you could say I'm looking forward to one thing over the weekend, no alarms :) Sure I get up early anyway, but at least I don't have to get up to an alarm LOL. And I don't have to get out of pjs at all tomorrow if I don't want to LOL. Ahhhhh, a jammy day sounds amazing about now.
The weather has been cooler this week, which is what I contribute to this headache. It's bad when you go from 80 degrees and then wake up to 40 degrees. I wish this weather would just make up it's mind what it is doing, either stay warm or stay cool, I'm good with either just hate all the up and downs.
Sunday we will be celebrating two of my granddaughters birthdays for the month of October. Ava turned 7 on Wednesday and Zoe will be 2 next Wednesday :) Their parents birthdays are also in the month of October and I'm having a heck of a time figuring out when to have their birthday dinner with hubby's schedule the way it is right now. I'm hoping sometime this week will work for everyone. But I have to wait until I find out when his days off will be.
Ah the joys of being married to a trucker LOL.
Well I know this blog is on the depressing side today and I'm truly sorry. I hate when I have weeks like this. Headaches are the most annoying thing going in my opinion.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
October 17, 2017
Romance Writers Weekly presents...
Welcome back to Romance Writers Weekly presents...This week Jenna De Sie wants us to write an A to Z on writing. This should be fun :) Just a reminder I'm posting my blog early and the hop doesn't officially begin until 2 p.m. EST. Hopefully some of you have come to my page via A.S. Fenichel's page. If not please make sure you go all the way through the hop to check out everyone's answers :) This is going to be not only fun but interesting :)
My Writing alphabet:
A: Animals, in my romances you will find animals of some sort.
B: The big bad bitch. In my story Into the Darkness you can find the big bad bitch, and you get to meet her daughter in Darkness Brings Desire and Kiss of Darkness ;)
C: Cowboys. My historical romances are full of them :)
D: Darkness. Because my vampires only walk the streets at night.
E: Erui. The heroine in my story Remember My Name, in The Lake House anthology.
F: Freedom. Because in all of my stories my heroines find the true meaning of freedom in this life.
G: Groan. Because my heroes usually groan at some point when it comes to my heroines.
H: Horses. My historical romances take place on or around The Bar D horse ranch.
I: I love writing. It is my lifeline to this world.
J: J.J. Devine :)
K: Kids. you can find kids in most of my stories as well.
L: Of course love. Duh, I write romance.
M: Mountains. My historical romances take place in or around the Laramie Mountains.
N: Native American. My historical romances are full of them :)
O: Orgasm. Again, I write romance :)
P: Playfulness. We all need to take a moment to remember how to play. Even my characters.
Q: Quiet time. This is the time where my heroines learn how far they've come and learn never to give up.
R: Ranchers. My heroes of The Acceptance series are ranchers through and through.
S: Self Control. All of my characters historical or paranormal must learn this somewhere in the story.
T: Tales. Because what is a story after all, but a tale someone is telling you :)
U: Unusual. Because I love writing the unusual.
V: Vampires. My paranormals are full of them :)
W: Witches. Again my paranormals are full of them :)
X: Sometimes my stories can be rated X and maybe XX or XXX.
Y: You. Because without you to read my stories I would just be a writer.
Z: Zombie. Even though they're popular these days, I don't write them
Well that's it for me today. Let's hop on over and see what Jenna has in store for us...
October 14, 2017
I'm up already...
Good morning, everyone!!!Well we won another game!!! I'm so proud of these guys!!! I was thrilled to death to be able to make it to the game just as the kids were getting lined up on the field. I knew I would need a bit of extra time today at work because I have order to do, so I left about ten minutes early yesterday so I could make the game :)
Fate was working against me. A call off I had to find someone to fill in for. Lottery papers that we've switched around that had already taken two hours at work and then another two hours at home to figure out and yes, I'm still not done with that one :( But there is always today :)
The youngest son and I watched Lore yesterday afternoon/evening. I needed a moment to just be so I took it and I'm glad I did. Lore is a little mini series put out by Amazon Prime for Friday the 13th. It is definitely a must watch. I was enthralled in the whole thing for sure.
I got home from the game and the grandson's practice for the travel team and found a surprise in my mailbox. My dear friend LaNora Mangano had made me a t-shirt for the grandson's football team :) I love it!!! I will definitely be wearing it to Monday night's game!!! Our tournaments start Monday so it was perfect timing to receive such a wonderful gift!!!
Ahhhh....
Is it really morning already??? Man, I could have slept another few hours for sure. Oh well, I have a million things to do today so I guess the earlier I get started the better, right?!? Hey, I can tell myself that ;)
Well I better get this day underway!!!
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
