J.J. Devine's Blog, page 29

Another day in the life...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​You can truly feel fall in the air this morning. Temps have dropped drastically, which I knew was coming. Long sleeves and jackets are back, along with jeans, socks, and tennis shoes. It won't be long before we hit Indian Summer as some call it, where the temps rise once again and we are given the illusion that summer is back :)

​Over the weekend while hubby cleaned out his garage I finished staining my porch swing. Yesterday while I was working hubby got it hung up on my back porch :) Next summer I hope to have a couple of potted palm trees to set behind it :) to finish off my cozy feel. There is nothing more relaxing than plants surrounding a peaceful area of your home.

​After work yesterday I did sit out there for awhile and enjoy the gentle feel of a porch swing. This is something I grew up with. My grandfather in Georgia always had multiple porch swings. My favorite one was under the trees overlooking the front yard. It was so peaceful there. Two porch swings sit there today.

​I guess you could say I learned early on in life to enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet. To use this time to reflect on life. Everyone needs that one place in their world they can go to just be for a few moments. Mine usually involves a quiet space I can call my own.

​After sitting there yesterday for a little while I finished putting the porch together how I wanted it. I got rid of my table, replacing it with smaller tables in between my chairs, which are now arranged in such a manner that guests can lounge with me in my quiet space. Easy for conversing. Yet, I can still sit there and write on my back porch when the weather is nice. Which I still have a bit of that left this year I'm sure :)

​Being able to relax awhile after such a rush rush morning was nice. We did well with the big bosses visit which was the goal. :) Now we prepare for the up and coming weeks ahead. River Rally, Ducktail Run, and James Dean is almost upon us. Something we have to spend weeks ahead preparing for. I put in a triple order with Pepsi yesterday, will do the same with Coke on Monday. The boss and I have been ordering extra for the fountain area and we found out yesterday our new froster machine will be coming in that weekend as well.

​Today I will be getting my back room ready for the overstock. Which will start arriving on Friday. I'm actually looking forward to the weekend this falls on :)

​Next Saturday is author pictures. I still have no idea what I'm wearing LOL. But it will be fun I'm sure.

​Yeah, busy rest of the month for sure :)

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!





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Strange week...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I always feel a bit off center on weeks that begin with a holiday. I keep thinking today is Tuesday when in reality it's Wednesday.

​We have so much to get done today at the day job and to top it off we're second on the list of yet another stop in by the big wigs. My boss is not feeling good and really should be home resting, but there's too much to do. And this strange feel to the week isn't helping.

​I went in yesterday full well intending to do some cleaning and filling shelves. Our weekly truck schedule was supposed to be off by a day. As I finished up the first row of shelves guess who pulled in, yeah, our weekly truck. So, I helped her check that in and get it put away before I went back to front and facing our shelves. I had a lot more on my cleaning list to do, but that didn't work out so well.

​This morning I am going in early so maybe we can get some things out of the way before they arrive. We have a major sales change going on which the boss worked on some yesterday, but since it is so large, well, we still have a great deal to do.

​Yesterday I had thought of this wonderfully profound blog to write today, LOL. This morning the only thing I can think of is what lies ahead of me today. Figures, huh?!? I guess I should have written down some notes on the topic to remind me this morning. :)

​I spent some time watching the grandson practice football yesterday evening. His mom couldn't be in two places at once with his sister having to be at her cheer practice so I brought my chair, my laptop, and my tea, and hung out at the practice field for awhile :) I even managed to get in some writing while I was there. I do have to say I believe football is something that this young man will definitely be good at. He seems to be a natural.

​Once we came home, we just hung out on the couch, munching on some chips and dip, and watching Big Bang Theory and chatting. This young man blows my mind at how deeply he thinks. He is curious about so many things in life, and one of his biggest things lately is ancestors. I'm not talking just the immediate either, we're getting into the greats and great greats, and even the great great greats. Which makes this grandma have to think.

​He is concerned with his generation. How they don't take education and life seriously. Which really blew my mind. I used the opportunity to tell him that is why when grandma and grandpa teach them things like gardening and how to do different things that people don't do too much of today, we're trying to help prepare them for the future. He seemed to really like that and also get it.

​It does my heart good to hear a child curious about life and the future. Which gives me hope for our future. It is the deep thinkers that will find solutions to the issues in the future, because they won't act on spur of the moment thoughts and decisions, but years of well thought out plans.

​I've met just a few of these deep thinkers in my lifetime so far. Young ones who aren't afraid to question life and what it is all about. I feel blessed to know them.

​Well I guess I should prepare for this day.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!



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Romance Writers Weekly presents... #lovechatwrite

Welcome back to Romance Writers Weekly!!! The blog officially begins at 2 p.m. EST but seeing as I'm not exactly sure when I'll be done at work today I'm posting now. The links from my blog to the others will be live after 2 p.m. EST :)

​If you are stopping in from A.S. Fenichel welcome, stop in anytime. If you are starting here make sure you check out all the blogs today :)

​This week Leslie Hachtel has asked us a very interesting question. If someone handed you a million dollars, what would you do with it? Check out my answers below then hop on to the next blogger for their answers. At first I would be skeptical. Because who and why would anyone just hand me a million dollars??? I don't even play the lottery LOL.

BUT...

​If it happened here's what I would do :)
I would definitely pay off all my debt and my children's debt. A clean slate would be amazing and also free us up to do my next answer :) ​Hubby and I love camping. So I would definitely want us to travel the U.S.A. hitting up different campgrounds and just hanging out with the locals for however long we feel we want to stay in each place. No time limits, no schedules, just wake up and decide we're going here today and head there :) Last but not least. It would be nice to have the money to help others whenever I find someone who has a need.

​This is something I feel strongly about. When someone has a true need it would be nice to ease their troubles for a few moments in time.
That's it for me today. Now let's hop on over and see how Leslie answered these questions :) Just click on her name and head on over :)

Our Weekend...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I'm off work this morning so things are moving a bit slower. I tried blogging yesterday morning... finished the blog... had a few issues with the internet... went to post the blog... GONE. At 3:00 a.m. I was not starting over when I needed to be out of here at 3:30 a.m. for the day job.

​It has been a rather enjoyable weekend. As you know the kids and grandkids showed up here Friday night for a few days of camping. Seeing as all the campgrounds in the area were full we did what we do best, improvise :) Usually this is the weekend that marks the last camping trip of the year with the grandkids. Hubby goes back on his run that keeps him away on weekends. The kids are back in school for the year. And so this is pretty much it for this year with the family.

​I am very blessed to have such wonderful family in my life. It was nice even with having to work every day they were here. I was home every morning right after they all got up, so the days weren't a total bust :)

​Saturday we headed in to the town of Upland (another small town here in Indiana) for the town rummage. By the end of the day I was worn out. We walked miles and miles around town hitting up one rummage after another. Everyone got some pretty good deals and I just enjoyed being out and about with all of them. I had already decided if I didn't need it I wasn't getting it, because I still have stuff in boxes from my parents moving out of their house that I haven't had time to find places for just yet. So, I was just in it for the fun and being with the family :)

​We roasted hot dogs over the fire one evening for dinner. Then hobo packs for dinner Saturday night :) Last night it was just hubby, the daughter, Bug, and I for dinner. So I made what I have been craving for weeks, big juicy bar-b-qued burgers. I'm not talking little things that shrivel up on the grill either. I'm talking half pounders that fill the bun and are at least a quarter to half inch thick when done cooking :) Then topped with lettuce, tomato, onion (cooked in foil, on the grill, in butter, until nice and soft), chipotle pepper cheese, homemade pickles, and mayo. Oh my, just what I've been craving for awhile and don't know why I didn't make them before now. Even hubby was only able to eat one instead of his normal two burgers :)

​Last night after all the kids and grandkids left and it was just hubby and I. Yep, we still camped and sat by the fire and just enjoyed the peace and quiet of the night. This morning, I'm sitting here in the camper, working on this blog, drinking my two cups of coffee as slowly as I want. Enjoying a good wake up morning before I begin my day. I feel so much more relaxed even though I had to work the weekend. I guess just because we did a LOT of relaxing around the campfire this weekend :) Which I love!!!

​Well I guess I should get myself at least dressed to start my day. Even though I have no plans on getting too much done anytime soon :)

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!



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Hello weekend...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​Last evening was spent getting things ready for the weekend. Now all the campers are set up and we're ready to begin our weekend :)

​Hot dogs were roasted over the fire by all. Always a simple meal for the start of fun time. I stayed up way later than I should have but only one more day of work before I get a couple of days off and no alarms :)

​I'm pretty sure, though, I will need a power nap at some point today :) That's what happens when you get old and only get about three hours of sleep.

​Since hubby didn't get home last night the grandson and daughter stayed in the camper with me last night. Thankfully the daughter had some homework to do so she stayed up to wake me up for work. I'm pretty sure I would have overslept this morning had she not done this for me :)

​I had some more interesting conversations with the grandson last evening before everyone arrived. He is growing up so fast and he just blows my mind on how much he knows about life and the interests he's beginning to have as he grows older.

​This week I've been blessed to have some one on one time with both the oldest and youngest grandchildren. I am always amazed at how different each child is but how wonderful they each are in their own right. Each one touches my heart in their own unique way. The older girls are growing up so fast right along side Bug. Then little Zoe is bringing up the rear with a uniqueness of her very own.

​There is nothing more special in this life than watching children grow up. Seeing how each one changes over the course of time. Standing on the sidelines you can see the influence in their lives and how they apply them to their life. 

​I love the way each one has their own take on the adventures we go on. The different aspects of the same thing. My grandchildren are very vocal when it comes to telling me what they enjoy about our adventures, which makes them all the more worth the time and energy put into them.

Well it is almost time to get ready to head out and get this work day underway.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

​Blessings to all!!!




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Welcome September...

Good evening, everyone!!!

​It's been an odd day to say the least. Windy, overcast, just a day that you would want to curl up by a campfire and just enjoy the peace. Yep, you guessed it, that's exactly what I'm doing right now :)

​The kids and grandkids are coming over in a little while for a camping weekend. I have to work early mornings for a few days, but that isn't going to stop me from enjoying this time.

​The grandson came over early to help me get things ready. I do have to say we did a great job on the fire :) There's a lot of good hot coals for roasting hot dogs after everyone else arrives.

​I came home from work and slipped into a sweat shirt and sweat pants :) Just the perfect attire for a cool September evening by a fire. It almost reminds me of a fall day.

​We've been planning this weekend for a little while now and I'm thrilled the kids decided to go ahead and camp anyway even with the weather the way it is right now.

​Hubby won't be able to make it in tonight but his plan is to be here by the time I get off work in the morning :) Then we'll all head out to the rummage sales in Upland to see what they might have in store for us :) Then who knows what we'll find to get into on Sunday and Monday. We'll just have to wait and see :)

​I hope all of you have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!!!

​Everyone have a lovely night!!!

Blessings to all!!!





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In it for the long haul...

Good afternoon, everyone!!!

​Seeing as today is hubby and I's 32 anniversary I decided why not do a blog on marriage. Now mind you, I am no expert on this matter and this blog is in no way a guideline to go by. Every person is different. What works for one may not work for another. However, I would like to share with you some of the basics for going all in for the long haul.

​1. The biggest misconception I've seen about marriage is people believe it is that heart-stopping feeling you get in the beginning. You know butterflies in your stomach, that head in the clouds sort of feeling... Well, that's not marriage. That's first connection. I've heard people say, "I just don't feel it anymore, so I guess it's over." No, it's not over, it's changing. Just like with anything in life, love evolves into a more mature love. It becomes comfortable. Something you can count on to be there even when you don't feel loveable.

​2. Another misconception is: You shouldn't have to work so hard at this. Yes, the fact is, you do have to work at it. Every day, every minute, all the time. Marriage is work and it goes a lot smoother if both parties are in sync when it comes to working on the marriage. He's not going to like you every moment of the day, nor are you going to like him. However, that doesn't mean you don't love each other, it just means you are both human and as humans we do things that aren't so likeable sometimes. Does it mean the marriage is over? Absolutely not, it just means you have to work harder to find a happy medium in which the two of you can find balance once again.

​3. Marriage is just a piece of paper. I can't tell you how often I've heard this one. Sure, it is a piece of paper, a contract if you will. It's a binding contract that says the two people involved will do their very best to turn that piece of paper into a life well lived. To do this there is give and take. Love mixed with a bit of anger once in awhile. Learning to live together and often times learning how to live together when one or the other is being difficult. Because just like any relationship, marriage isn't all sunshine and roses, there are ups and downs.

​4. You don't always have to like the other person, just as long as you always love them. No one is 100% likeable all the time, not even wives and husbands. It's okay. You don't always have to like a behavior in them, but the things you love about them will often times outweigh the things you don't like about them. In long lasting relationships, often the husband or wife will have to recount those things they love about the other to ease the bump in the road of that one thing they are angry about at that moment. It happens, we're all human, not super beings with no faults.

​5. Husbands nor wives are fictional characters. I write romance as well as I read romance. In no way am I under the illusion that husbands should be fictional heroes. Don't get me wrong in other aspects of life they are true life heroes. Mine gets the super hero award for putting up with all of my mood swings, being the most amazing father, and making this last 32 years an adventure.

​6. Always make each other laugh. Life is full of hardships that can be made lighter by laughter. If you can't laugh at yourself then what can you laugh at? One thing I can definitely say in 32 years of marriage hubby has made me laugh more than he's made me cry.

​7. Don't let anger fester. It is okay to get angry once in awhile. We're human after all. However, don't let it stay pinned up just to explode over something meaningless. Come on, you know what I'm talking about. Those occasions when you've finally had enough and the smallest thing is the last straw. If your angry, get it off your chest. Talk to your spouse, let them know they've upset you. More times than not emotional explosions can be avoided just by talking about the issues.

​8. Your husband or wife should be that one person in all the world who can see you totally raw. You should be able to talk about even the hard stuff. You should be able to be completely yourself, even those things you don't want anyone else in the world to know about. Sure it opens you up to not be seen the same, but when you're in a marriage, they already know things about you, personal things, that you would rather not have broadcast around :)

​9. Love unconditionally. Never put conditions on your love for a spouse. You can do it. You don't put conditions on the love you have for your children, right? Well, it's like that with a spouse too. You can't always be saying things like, "If you don't do this or that I will love you." No, loving another human being doesn't come with terms and conditions. Like I said earlier you don't always have to like them, but you do need to always love them. The most precious gift you can give a person is unconditional love.

​So there you have it. My take on what makes a relationship. Don't go into marriage blindly. Because there is nothing more eye opening than realizing you are trying to live in a fantasy world.

​Love with all your heart and the rest will heal itself.

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!




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Quiet of the morning...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​As you know I love mornings with no one around but me and the furbies. Everything is so quiet (okay, so the crickets and tree frogs are a bit noisy, LOL). I love this time of day almost as much as I used to love my late late nights.

​I get up these days at the time I used to go to bed. When the kids were little I just hated to let go of the peace and quiet. So I would stay up later just to have a few more moments of silence and contemplation. Now, I get a LOT more of that but I get up early to grab a few moments of silence before the day begins. Where people need things from me, text messages begin, or the phone rings.

​This is my time to breathe. I take in the solitude of life and embrace it. No one talking. No one needing anything. Just silence and peace.

​This is my time to get my thoughts together. Make my game plans for the day or week ahead. To clear my head and rest my soul. It makes for a better day when I can wake up fully within the quiet of the morning. Lately, things have been insane. This morning time for me has been my salvation. It allows me to regroup, prepare for what is ahead.

​I have the next two days off which will be wonderful. I have a house to put back in order, because with two furbies that shed like there is no tomorrow the vacuum is a must around here. Then I also want to do a good cleaning on the bathroom, because we'll have the kids and grandkids all weekend here at the house. This is how I will spend my first day off this week :)

​I don't know if normal people require this morning silence. But I know my writer side is always desperate for it. I have to put my thoughts for the day in order before I can people. Otherwise, I am a hot mess.

​I need the sounds of nature to reenergize my soul. I need the darkness to give me insight. I need to breathe in that early morning air to refresh my mind. I need the feel of fur sliding between my fingers as I pet one or both of the furbies. I need the feel of their unconditional love first thing in the morning to get my day started on the right foot.

​Mornings were never my forte, but have fast become the thing I need most in this life. Funny how I could stay up to this hour back in the day and feel like it was late at night, but now, I get up at this time and feel it is the start to my day.

​This morning there is a drizzle of rain. Which adds to the calmness of the morning here on the back porch. Not enough to keep the furbies from prancing about the yard. Nor enough to keep the frogs and crickets quiet. The birds are waking up later and later which tells me this time of year is almost to an end. 

​I think ahead to the day. Deliveries like crazy at work. The hustle and bustle of how this day will go. How fast the time will fly. It's the prep work I do in these early moments that get me through.

I guess it is that time of day already. Where I need to get out of this chair and into some work clothes.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!



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Refreshed...

Good morning, everyone!!!

I needed a weekend like we just had so bad!!! There is nothing like spending the weekend with good friends.

​The men in the picture above I've been camping with for 32 years. Hubby, however, has been camping with these guys since high school. These guys were childhood friends and even though we don't see everyone as often as we used to back in the day, it is good hanging out when we all can.

​These days, the camping weekends are pitch ins. Where everyone brings something for meals and we just throw things all together. One thing that hasn't changed in all these years is we have peach cobbler and homemade ice cream :) Which we had once again this Saturday night. That tradition started years and years ago and is definitely a highlight for the trip :)

​We spent the weekend relaxing by the fire, running around on golf carts instead of the hell hikes we once took in our younger days and remembering the good ol' days. Only two of us wives came this time. It was all good though :) these men know how to cook so we weren't expected to do all the food fussing :)

​We explored some of the nature around the campground. Even found the mating area for thousands of snails. Pretty wild, let me tell ya.

​Internet signal was sketchy at best. Which was perfect to keep us all just chatting up the days and nights. The weather was perfect. Not too hot and not too cold. That first night was a bit chillier than the rest, but we made it through :) Hubby and I even tried out the furnace in the camper this trip (something we've not had to do before).

​We played miniature golf on Saturday and also joined in on the mystery buckets (which was mainly for kids, so most got a good laugh at the six adults that really wanted to play, LOL).

​Sometimes we just need to have one of those weekends where we don't do much of anything other than relax and find things to get into that really don't mean much of anything except to the people involved.

​I so needed a weekend like this. No thought to what was going on next, just go with the flow and see where we end up. No firm plans, no rushing around, just doing what we want spur of the moment or in a little while :)

​After the last several weeks of insane craziness at the workplace, it was just good to get away and find myself away from it all for a change. I work two days and get two more off this week :) The two days off will be spent preparing for a family campout here at the house. The kids and grandkids will be over on Friday to hang out and enjoy whatever we decide to get into :) I also have early early mornings for work those days so my time will be limited on spending with them and what I can do, but they will have a good time I'm sure :)

​Today it will be back to the day job and back to the writing business. No rest for the wicked as they say. I'm ready though. I feel rested and ready to take on the world once again. I did hate getting up to the alarm this morning :( But it is what it is.

​Well I guess I should get off of here and prepare to hit the shower.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!



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TGIF...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​Have you ever had one of those weeks where you weren't even sure Friday existed? Where you weren't sure it would ever get here? Where every day between Sunday and Friday just seemed to slowly drag by? Yeah, it's been that kind of week for me this week.

​People dig their feet in and make it even more difficult to get things done. You feel like you are running in place when you should be making progress. I hate those kind of weeks, but it seems like we've been stuck in that one for a couple of weeks now, errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

​I'm hoping the weekend gives me new perspective on this issue. Some time away from the situation is definitely needed for sure. Usually this helps me get things figured out and find the right solution.

​I can't tell you how much I need this weekend away. It must be obvious too because when shopping with hubby last evening for our provisions for the weekend he made sure we kept things very simple and minimal work for me. He even stated, you don't need to do this or that, I want you to be able to just relax and enjoy the weekend :) He's such a sweetheart :)

​We worked together last evening and got everything ready to go for the most part. He loaded the firewood and made kindling. We found a gas line that needed replaced, which answered the question as to why I had trouble getting my stovetop to light :) So he'll get that taken care of today while I'm at work.

He picked me up the cutest little vacuum for the camper yesterday, which I used and it did wonderful :) So, yes, the camper has been swept and mopped, fresh sheets and blankets put on the bed, my tea is made and in the fridge, and everything is travel ready inside other than putting my laptop and a few small items that will fit into my laptop bag, into the camper :)

​Instead of him doing the shopping today, we went last evening so all of that is done and put away in the camper :) He'll come up after gas prices change today to get the truck and gas it up, then get hooked up before I get home :) Then it is change clothes and off we go for a weekend away!!!

​I wasn't sure I was going to make it through yesterday. I was so sick and I knew I needed to just push on. But man, pushing on was the hard part for sure. This morning I have a bit of a headache, which I figure is because I'm probably dehydrated a bit. So that is an easy fix by just consuming as much fluids as possible today. Then if that doesn't work I'll take some Excedrin and call it a day LOL.

​It will be nice to just get off work and head out for a weekend away :)

​Life is strange sometimes. Such as the couple of weeks we've had. You see what the solution is, but no one seems to be cooperating to make it happen other than the few. It really gets under my skin and I'm not very good at things that get under my skin, LOL. I just want to shake those who aren't getting it and say wake up, do what needs to be done, and things will be fine. But no, it's never that easy. Of course not. Because that is the simple solution.

​I don't even have enough fingers on both hands to count how many times I had to stop what I was doing this week to do something that should have already been taken care of. That's when my temper gets the better of me and I really have to bite hard on the tongue before I find myself lashing out.

​Normally, this stuff wouldn't bother me so much. But when it all happens at once, well, I have little patience for such things. And then my irritation rises to levels I do NOT enjoy. That's when I know its time for a bit of time away. Because if I don't take a bit of time away then I am going to explode for certain.

​This is the behavior in me that I do NOT enjoy, nor do I like to live in. Once I get stuck there, it is very hard for me to get out. So the solution is get away for a few days, relax, and begin again next week. Hopefully with a fresh perspective and fresh mind.

​Well I guess I should quit boring you with my whining. I just needed to vent this out this morning to get rid of it. I'm sure there'll be more to add to it today, seeing as for the last three weeks it seems like there is something new every day to add to the compiling list. But at least this part will already be vented :)

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!




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