J.J. Devine's Blog, page 32

July 27th, 2017

[image error] Good morning, everyone!!!

​As if I didn't have enough to do already, I decided to try my hand at self publishing. Yeah, nothing fancy, just my short story from The Hope Chest. :)

​Sometimes we just have to meet those fears head on and just do it. So why not toss something into the mix that I'm nervous about doing in the midst of something else I've never done before :) (HUGE book signing).

​Come Home With Me is now available in paperback and soon to follow is the kindle version. I believe they said the kindle version should be available in 72 hours.

​Now that I've taken the scary out of the task, I am hoping to get two more published early in 2018 :)

Now if I keep the pace up that I've kept up this week for the rest of the year I will do pretty good, or kill over, whichever comes first ;)

​I ended up doing a ten hour shift yesterday at the day job. Then I got home and the daughter and two of the grandkids came over to help me work on my giveaway projects. It's good when one of your kids only lives five blocks from your house :)

​We made tons of progress and will finish up what we started last night, tonight :) Because that is how we roll around here LOL. Things are really coming together wonderfully. My printed bookmarks are mostly finished. My business cards are printed and ready to go. Tomorrow I hit the store to grab the sweets to go into the goodie baskets :) Then it is time to get things ready for loading up to meet up with my dear friend LaNora Mangano and head out to our signing :)

​Another author friend, Teresa Keefer, will be meeting me here Saturday morning bright and early so we can all share in this nervous energy I have going on. The best things in life is when you can spread around that energy LOL.

​I do know one thing, I HAVE to quit staying up till midnight every night if I am planning to be fresh on Saturday. This four hour sleep a night thing is really not good, but right now I'm running on nervous energy ;)

​Well I guess I should get ready for the day job. Then switch gears when I get home to writer mode :)

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

​P.S. here's the link to Come Home With Me ;)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1973953404/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501148116&sr=8-1&keywords=come+home+with+me+j.j.+devine






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Sucking down the morning coffee...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I ended up staying up way too late again last night, that has to end tonight otherwise I may become a grumpy ass. So yes, coffee is my best friend this morning :)

I'm feeling a bit better about this Saturday. At the bottom of this blog you will find a link for ticket sales for the book signing event Indies in Indy. I decided to count the authors for the event by seating arrangement last even, 80+ authors will be in attendance. I thought it would make me less nervous, yeah right, LOL.

​So if you are out and about Saturday and are looking for something to do, well, come on over to Carmel, Indiana and say Hi!!! I have some pretty amazing giveaways if I do say so myself :) Sign up for my newsletter and receive a chance to win one of five gift baskets!!!

​My daughter-in-law is helping me put together a couple of unique items for my two big giveaway baskets :) It's wonderful having creative people in the family, LOL. Fortunately, for me she is also a wonderful person and was willing and ready to help me out when I called her up and said, "HELP!"

​This evening the daughter will be over to help me put the finishing touches on a few bookmark ideas I've come up with. Those will be free while they last to everyone :) I have a few more to create this evening, but those were a last minute idea last evening and I had no idea I had printed off a few of the first ones I created LOL. Yeah, it's been that kind of week so far.

It has been so great having such wonderful people assist me in putting things together. I don't know what I would have done without the encouragement and support of my dear friend LaNora Mangano. This woman is always there for me no matter what. She not only encourages me, but she's wonderful at bringing me back to earth when my stress levels shoot through the roof. She sees things in me that I would never see in myself. She reminds me that 'I got this' whenever I chance to freak out thinking I don't LOL. She is definitely my rock in this writing world of ours, and has been the most amazing friend in this lifetime. It's people like LaNora that I always want to have at my side to walk through this life with.

​I'm feeling a little less stressed today than I did yesterday thankfully. I'm still nervous as hell. This is my first ever HUGE book signing. But at least right now I'm not feeling overwhelmed like I did yesterday. I still have a little bit to do, but at least now the ball is in motion and I'm ready to push the mark to finish things up.

​Now just to figure out what to wear ;)

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!!



https://www.eventbrite.com/e/indies-in-indy-2017-tickets-22069248717





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I could kick myself...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I signed up for a book signing a year ago. Then thought it fell on my weekend to work and I had forgotten about it so I didn't put in for the time off, so I wasn't going to attend. Well, last night, yes, LAST night, I realized it didn't fall on my weekend to work... it wasn't as far off as I had assumed... and yes, it's this weekend. So guess who is working under pressure once again, yeah me...

So, guess who is scrambling to get everything ready...

​Fortunately, I have books, that's the big deal. I have my posters of some of my book covers. Now the planning of my table, ordering swag (which I did last night), planning my giveaways (which my dear friend LaNora helped me with some last night), print my business cards :) Preparing my sign up sheet for my newsletter... the list goes on and on...

​Ahhhhh.... breathe...... breathe again..... another deep breath.... yep, I got this :)

​This is my very first BIG signing. To say I'm nervous...well that's an understatement to be sure. What to wear???? Am I going to get this all pulled together by the end of the week???

Breathe....

​This is what happens when you don't write things down in your datebook. I wanted to have two more books ready for this signing but in true J.J. Devine fashion I'm late on that party :(

​Well this is my reminder I need to get my ass back into my writing world in full force. No more delays. No more excuses. Just get off my ass and just hit this full force without a second thought.

​So if I seem distant at times just ignore me. It is one of two things. First, my characters are bugging the hell out of me. Second, I am planning a come back like you have never seen before. Either way I will be neck deep for the next year in either my day job or my writing job with very little time in between.

​In these few short days I will perfect my brand, come up with more ideas for promoting J.J. Devine, and turn things around in this area of my life. It is time to quit stalling and get down to business.

​See what happens when you ask Spirit for assistance LOL. My spirit guardian has a very good sense of humor to say the least. Twice in one day she has shown me this humorous side of her and after the initial shock, all I can do is chuckle and say, "Very funny, now help me get this done."

​Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!



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New week...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​It is the last full week of July. This summer is flying by for sure. Hubby and I got quite a bit done around here this weekend. He redid our big gates to make it easier putting the camper where we need it between camping trips. Now I just have to finish getting things reorganized in there from our camping trip with the grandchildren. Yeah, I'm a bit behind on the things I need to get done :(

​I did get my fairy garden done this week along with cleaning out the cupboard, the inside freezer, and tried my hand at homemade dog treats. Shadow and Bear have approved the taste and enjoyed a few of them yesterday :) I am compiling recipes I'm using and creating for my homemade puppy goodies and will be publishing a Spoiled Puppies Cookbook in the next few months :) I was supposed to make dog food yesterday, but by the time hubby and I went to the store and got home, well, it was a bit late so that will wait until today after work.

​My spiritual studies are going well. I am ready for a new chapter this week. It is pretty great refreshing my memory on a few aspects :) I was reminded this morning as I began waking up that choice is actually a part of spirituality. Choosing to be happy and satisfied with life is also a spiritual aspect that is not well considered when thinking of the word spiritual. Being thankful, yes, but choice not as much.

​This spiritual path I've chosen has given me so much insight into the actual control over my life I do have. By looking into my own inner self I've found so much in this life to not only be thankful for, but realized how much my choices transform my life.

​Each day I wake up, no matter what is going on in the world around me, I choose to find the good in each day. Even if the good is just a glimmer. I choose to make the most out of each day, even if the most for that particular day is nothing more than rest. No beating myself up because there is still more to be done, or because I didn't get everything accomplished in a day that I wanted. I know myself well enough to know I always expect more than I can get done in a day sometimes. There's always tomorrow and if tomorrow doesn't come for some reason, I have done my best and tried my hardest. This I have learned to be happy with and not berate myself for the things I haven't finished, but rejoice in the things I did.

​I've learned to accept that just because it is not how I would do it, or how I choose to live, or even those nagging issues that make me ask 'why' that if it doesn't apply to me, I need to let it go. I spent a good deal of my life trying to live other people's lives, that this was the first and hardest aspect for me to learn and apply. I still have my days where I just want to choke someone because the obvious to me is right in front of their nose, but then I have to tell myself, not my life, not my issues, not my solutions. Basically, I scold myself and tell me to mind my own damn business. Sometimes it works, sometimes I have to do this in mid sentence LOL. Either way I am more mindful now than I used to be of this behavior pattern in myself.

​Most days I have to do a LOT of praying to get me through the day. LOL. I always ask for assistance in helping me to be more mindful of this behavior pattern in myself and to help me remember everyone is going through something they need spiritual guidance for and that is between them and Spirit.

​Well I guess I should get ready to wake up hubby. He leaves out this morning for the week.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!



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Storms...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I awoke a bit late this morning, guess I needed the extra hour of sleep :) It was so hot and humid my glasses fogged up the moment I put them on. Then as I sat on the porch I could hear the wind moving in. It roared up the alley with such force I had to wonder if we were heading for a tornado.

​Instantly, the heat faded and the temps dropped. The winds swirled around coming at me from all sides. It wasn't until I felt the dampness of rain drops blowing up the porch that I decided it would be better for the laptop if I came inside.

​Now it is pouring out there. The thunder is rolling. The lightening lighting up the sky. The dogs of course are pretending to protect me, but the truth is they are gathering around momma for their protection. They sense I love storms :) and the power they bring.

​This is that one moment in time when all the elements come together. They are fierce. They are powerful. They are magickal.

​With every storm change arrives. Blown in on the winds. Seeded into the ground by the pounding of the raindrops. There's no time to think on the changes, because they're here. They've arrived. It's time for embracing them in all their glory.

​The thunder rolls across the heaven's reminding us of the power Spirit has. The lightening bolts bring a sense of electricity to the air. It all tells us to be ready for whatever comes next.

​Life is just like a storm. Some days calm and without the harshness of a storm. Other days, the storm rages on, bringing with it uncertainty of what the next moment holds.

​But just as every storm comes to an end, so does the storms of life. Sometimes we feel tattered and torn apart. Other times, we look around us at the mess left behind and realize we're still standing and that is what we're thankful for.

​So when a storm rolls in, I prepare for change. Whether the storm be as real as it is this morning, or an inward storm that one can feel brewing on the horizon of life. Storms leave life around us altered, real or inward. Just as we pick up the branches that have fallen in a storm without a second thought, we learn to pick up the remains of our life in the same manner.

​Next time you feel a storm blowing in, embrace the power of it all. Let it move through you and embrace the changes that are occurring. For this is how we learn. This is how we bring change.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!



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Drinking coffee and planning the day...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I'm starting this morning sitting on my back porch, cup of coffee in hand, waiting on the birds to begin their morning song. Before they wake up it is ever so quiet out here, even my dogs are not quite as active as once the birds begin their morning wake up call.

​Work today off the next two days :) then an eight day stretch :) I definitely need to take the time to get things back in order. My kitchen looks as if a rummage sale exploded in there LOL. I also need to finish getting things reorganized in the camper from our trip last week. The grandchildren will be here tomorrow evening for a sleep over, so I have to get that ready as well :) And this is why my brain gets so tired LOL. I look around and see what I need to do on my days off and wear myself out before I even begin doing it LOL.

​I have my bloodwork tomorrow morning first thing. So no coffee until I get home :( But then this should be over for at least six months to a year :) Fortunately my doc is kind-hearted and was able to get my mammogram for early in the morning :) That is always helpful when getting other tests done that requires fasting and you can use the same place for both :)

​She's also very wonderful when allowing you to be a part of your health program. She gives her advice and allows you to decide on whether or not it is necessary :) I like that. Because so many doctors these days will say you have to do this or that even if it really doesn't make sense why.

​This evening I will come home and get some of the work done I need to get out of the way so there is not too much to do tomorrow. Then I need to get back to my reaffirmation studies which I began last evening. It is always interesting to see how far you've come since the beginning, which is why reaffirmation is always highly important. It brings everything to the surface and allows you to see your own inner growth. I also decided to make a new Book of Shadows for this reaffirmation.

​One aspect of life I am working toward is trying to be less judgmental inwardly. You know where you think to yourself, why does someone do this or that? Yeah, I am working toward letting that stuff go. Some make it difficult though, let me tell you. Just like yesterday, when my daughter called me about an issue my grandson was having and my daughter's other half was fighting her on taking him to the doctor. This is the second time he's fought her on either herself or one of my grandchildren going to the doctor that I am aware of and this gets under my skin. Just like the time before instead of arguing with him, I just told her meet me at my house and we'll get him to the doctor. Good thing we did, he's got a very bad case of swimmer's ear, which is what I thought he had in the first place. This required medicine to take care of it and yes, now he has the medicine for it :)

​I definitely need to work on this aspect of life. Because this sort of ordeal really brings my peace to levels of anger I do not like to go to. But I will get this aspect of life under control and still offer solutions to the problems in a manner in which is me :)

​Daybreak has finally begun to happen this morning. The sky is starting to brighten. The birds are singing. The dogs are now playing in the yard. This is what makes things right with the world for me. You can hear the neighbors waking up, getting ready for their days as they get in their cars and leave out. Life is good this time of the day.

​Soon I will be in my uniform, greeting my customers with my normal smile on my face, picking on those that require a good razzing LOL. Enjoying good conversation with my boss and ensuring this day is off to a good start. Then seeing as it is truck day, I'll be putting away deliveries, putting organization back in place. Because this is what I do :)

​This evening is finding places for all these goodies I brought home from my mom's. Such as the ice cream maker that once belonged to my grandfather :) Then a bit of writing and more of my studies :) It's what I do :)

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

​Blessings to all!!!




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Vacation is over...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​With the beginning of this new week marks the end of my vacation :( I feel pretty accomplished this morning seeing as I was able to get a few things I've put off doing, done :)

​My fairy garden has been designed and planted :) I hit up the clearance for some pretty amazing plants. I found an amazing blue one called Summer Nights, the flowers are not only beautiful but perfect for the fairy garden :)

​Hubby went back to work yesterday. So things are back to their normal once again. It has been nice having him home for a few weeks. I work these next two days then two days off before working the weekend and all next week. So I guess you could say I'm going back into this working thing slowly LOL.

​Today I work until 1:45 p.m. because I need to be at the doctor at 2. This will be my first appointment with hubby's doc. I really like her so hopefully we can start off on the right foot :) and maybe I can make some progress on getting some of these scripts gone. We'll see. :)

​I also took some time yesterday to plan my Lammas celebration. I know it is two weeks away but planning ahead is my forte LOL. Besides, I want to be more mindful of doing my celebrations even when I have to work that day, so I want to ensure I have the day organized before hand. I will also be starting my reaffirmations today. Incorporating more prayer each day and also more awareness of the things around me. This vacation has been amazing for giving me the motivation to do what I need to get done and get back to being mindful of what I still need to do for this year.

​I will also be diving head first back into the writing. I needed this time off of both jobs to help me appreciate both :) I am still not completely sure of the path I will be taking on the writing road. However, writing will definitely be continued, but I am over the worry and insanity of taking the enjoyment out of my writing world. This has been weighing on me for quite awhile. I want to get back to enjoying the side of this business that has always sparked the fire within me. So, I am leaning toward writing the books, publishing the books, and letting the rest handle itself.

​Well I guess I should get this day underway.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

​Blessings to all!!!




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Two days left of vacation...

Good afternoon, everyone!!!

​Ahhhh, I do love vacations :) This one did go by too fast, but I am sorta anxious to get back to work. Don't get me wrong there is nothing like time away from the day job, but I do miss the people I work with and my customers. Yes, I said that, LOL.

​I've also had some deep thinking moments over the course of vacation time. I realize I definitely need to push the mark a bit more in a few areas of my life. So I begin today working toward those daily goals.

​There is an aspect of this life I have been fighting against inwardly and as much as I know it is what happens in life, it is something I know now is my inward growth for this year. Learning to deal with big life changes and coping with them.

​Having some thinking time does help get things in perspective for sure. When life is busy all the time and you meet yourself coming and going it is hard to put perspective on where your life is and where you want it to go. So you move through day to day and hope eventually things click in the right direction.

​One thing vacation has taught me is I definitely love being a grandma :) Spending time with the grandchildren and getting to see them enjoy life. It makes your heart smile. It also proved to me I enjoy being a grandma. Yes, there's a difference. Raising children you're solely responsible for them. Being a grandma you get to relax and enjoy. Sit back and watch them and the little human beings they are becoming. You get flash backs of their parents when they were young, but you get to see the individualism taking place as well.

​I realized also it is time to get back to some of the basics that are me, as well. So for as long as it takes I will be working toward a deeper spiritual connection. I will be getting back to that side of me that makes me who I am. I have always believed spirituality is as individual as a fingerprint. The one mistake I have made in all this time is trying to be a part of a coven, when solitary is where I belong.

​Yes, it is nice to be able to converse with like minds, don't get me wrong, but faith, deep faith, does not come from being a part of a group of like minds, it comes from within. Being who I am, being one with Spirit, and connecting on that level. So, I begin again, walking this path as a solitary and embracing where it leads me.

​I'm also getting back to my natural side a bit more. I go to my doctor on Monday and I want to discuss with her more natural ways of maintaining my health versus all these meds. I've realized this week how much they are weighing down and suppressing my creativity, my focus, and in general my life. I've allowed this to steal a good deal of my life from me and it goes against everything I am. So hopefully, she will be able to help me find a better healthier path to work toward.

​I am also going back to a healthier lifestyle for our pets. Hubby worries over their lack of interest in their food so of course this furbie momma has a plan :) Back to homemade dog food it is. I've been researching and finding ways to go solely to homemade dog food, so now it is time to get the ball rolling in that area.

​Something else I've missed terribly but don't know where I would have put the time this year was gardening. So yes, next year I'm going back to that for sure. It is something that grounds me and I should never have said nope I'm not doing it this year. But lesson learned :)

​Well if I am going to get anything done today I will need to get off this computer and get to work.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!



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Relaxing vacation...

Good morning, everyone!!!

​I have to say if you are looking for a place to take your grandchildren camping Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Bloomington, Indiana is definitely it!!! This has been one of the most relaxing vacations I've had in awhile. Yes, even with four kids ranging from the age of 1 to 11.

​There is so much to do here for kids and adults. The staff are super nice. The campsites are fantastic. You can be as busy or as lazy as you want. They have things every hour for kids to do.

​The grandchildren have had a ball. We've used the water park every day since Monday. They've used the jumping pillow, the playground, done the pledge with Ranger Smith, gotten their pictures taken with Boo Boo Bear and Cindy Bear :) We even attempted the long hike to the water fall but realized that was not a good trail to take a stroller on :)

​We've at lunch with Boo Boo Bear, roasted hot dogs over the fire, made kid-friendly kabobs, and grilled burgers :) We've spent a lot of time going down the water slides, even Lil Miss Zoe Belle :) We've taken numerous rides in the golf cart, which Zoe refers to it as the jump jump LOL. Don't ask LOL.

​The kids found the biggest pine cones I've ever set eyes on while out on one of our many adventures. They also found some pretty amazing gems in their gem mining fun.

This is truly what life is all about. Taking time out of our normal crazy schedules just to be for a few days. I was really surprised we didn't have more homesickness. Maybe it was because there was so much to do and we kept the kids so busy. Even Lil Miss Zoe Belle did fantastic. I do believe she is fast becoming a papaw's girl LOL. Which I knew this trip would be good to solidify their relationship seeing as he doesn't get to spend as much time with her.

​Today we take them all back home. I'm sure their parents have missed them and once they see moms and dads they'll realize how much they've missed them too :) They've all asked to come back here next year :) We'll see. Who knows what we'll come up with for next year :)

​Well I guess I should get off of here before this crew starts waking up. It won't be long :)

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

​Blessings to all!!!



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Things are getting closer...

​Good evening, everyone!!!

​It has been a long week so far but only one more day to go before VACATION!!!

​I was thrilled the other day when I was so on edge about how I was going to get so much done in one day and then something amazing happened. All the people working that day pitched right in and helped me get things done that I needed to get done.

I have to say that felt so good. I have always said our people are fantastic but the other day just proved how wonderful they truly are. I was very proud to be a part of our little Circle K family :)

​Hubby and I went shopping last night for our final vacation shopping trip. These grandkids are going to have so much junk to eat that I almost bet I will end up bringing some home LOL. We came up with a few more items to add to our kid-friendly kabobs thanks to grandpa :) We also ended up picking up some dreamcicles thanks to grandpa :) and of course not the outdone this grandma had to grab some fudge pops LOL.

​One summer I picked up goodies for kid-friendly kabobs as something different for camping food. The grandkids enjoyed making their own kabobs so much they asked to make them for our trip this year :)

One more work day left!!! Then off for seven days!!!

​I was planning to get so much done today, but of course once I got home I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open. So I took a little nap :) Tomorrow I will be running on adrenaline and excitement so I will definitely be able to get the few tasks that I want to get done finished up :)

​I still have a few items to put in the camper yet. It's a small list and I want to vacuum, sweep, and mop out there. Then it is inside the house to do a bit of baking. We have to have cookies and cake for grandpa's birthday ya know :) 

​Lil Miss helped me get the outside toys, floats, and some goodies put in the camper the other day when she was here and we were waiting on mom and dad to pick her up. We even changed the batteries in the Leap Pad :) so now it is ready for camping too :)

​You have no idea how much I need this week off. I am looking forward to some fun in the sun, some writing time, and mostly no alarms :) I'll miss my work family but I need a break from so much peopling for sure.

Well hubby tells me it is time for me to go to bed. 2 a.m. comes early.

​Everyone have a lovely night!!!

Blessings to all!!!



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