J.J. Devine's Blog, page 45

Where did those days off go?

Good morning, everyone!!!

I am truly not sure where those two days off went but I will say they were productive :) My kitchen is completely finished and the results are amazing.

I will say the hardest part was painting over the tree. Not because the paint didn't want to cover it, because it covered it very well with only two coats of paint, but because of the fact it has been such a part of our lives for so many years. You  know, one of those things that sort of become a trademark for you and your home. Something people just expect to see when they walk into your house. It is now replaced with coffee cups, my microwave stand, and my baker's rack, and a few coats of light tan.

My room still holds touches of who I am, like the affirmations on the walls, the butterflies that have become such a symbol for me, things like that. Because let's face it, in every room I redo there has to be something to mix it up :)

This house is over a hundred years old. Which also fits my personality. I love old things. As I redo rooms in this old house I listen closely. Yes, houses will speak to you if you listen with your heart. As you work you can see hints of those who, before you, took pains to decorate, paint, and model their tastes into a house. Every home still holds that energy all you have to do is seek it.

This morning as I sit at my kitchen table, writing this blog, and playing around on facebook, I can hear the happiness of not only my hard work, but hear the pleasure of those before me.

I want to take a moment also to give a shout out to my oldest son. He has a knack for remodeling and was sweet enough to spend one of his vacation days helping me get the brick panel up that I wanted as a back splash. He's so wonderful!!! I couldn't have done this without him. He and my daughter-in-law have been remodeling their house one room at a time and they've done a fantastic job. Their house looks so different from the time they moved in. So thank you, Stephen, for helping your old mom get the kitchen finished up :) You don't know how much I appreciate that!!!

Today, I work a few hours, then the daughter and I head out to do a bit of birthday and Easter shopping. Then I will come home and finish off my corner in the living room that still needs painted and finish up my bathroom door. Tomorrow before work is get the house cleaned up for Garden Weed's birthday party on Sunday. Yep, no rest for the wicked LOL.

Well I guess I should read over my anthology story before work and see what parts I need to work on.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Spring Forward not all it's cracked up to be...

Good morning, everyone!!!

I don't know about you but I am still trying to locate that hour I lost Sunday morning. This is the time of year that takes me the longest to get used to. For the first several days of this time change ordeal I feel tired. I drag my ass and can't seem to get motivated.

This year the sun hasn't shined at all since the time changed, which does not help my energy levels at all. I think there should be some sort of law that when we spring forward the sun must shine for at least a solid week afterward to allow people to get used to the loss of an hour.

Instead though it is as if even the weather is mourning the loss of time.

I have two days off together this week so hopefully that will help me get this old body adjusted to the insane tradition and get myself back on track.

When we moved back to Indiana from Florida I was so excited not to have to change times. So what did Indiana do? They went to this blasted Daylight Savings Time nonsense. A part of me believes it was just to get to me, ;)

Well I am determined to be productive even though I don't feel productive. I have my story for the anthology to finish up before the end of the month. I also have to finish painting my living room and start on the kitchen this week. Things I've been itching to get done. So, it will happen.

I've been thrilled with the progress of the living room since hubby moved the shelves and fireplace to allow me access behind them to get that part finished up :) I've been itching to get the kitchen painting for awhile now but I wanted the living room finished first :) So hopefully tonight after work I can pop off the tiny bit left in the living room then I'll be ready to start fresh tomorrow with the kitchen!!! In between coats I can work on finalizing my anthology story :) Which after a computer operator mishap I've decided to use my Fallon story. You've seen bits and pieces of it on my blog flash fictions :)

Well work calls so I better get my butt out of this chair and into some work clothes.

Everyone have a great day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Spring cleaning has begun...

Good morning, everyone!!!

It is that time of year where I get excited for spring and with that comes spring cleaning.

I made the mistake of listening to Shinedown on youtube using the tv last evening. Hubby got this surround sound that I just knew I wouldn't like.

Well...

Goes to show you I can be wrong from time to time LOL. The blue ray player that came with it is very simple to operate and has a youtube setting on it. So, in my cleaning frenzy last evening I decided why not try this bad baby out.

Sadly, it worked too well. I got my cleaning for the evening finished up, but I couldn't sleep until after 3 a.m. because Shinedown was still playing in my head LOL. Note to self: Only play their music early in the day.

I'm pretty positive I will not only need the coffee this morning to get motivated but am seriously thinking of popping on a bit more of Shinedown to get my motor running. I've got a busy day ahead of me and I could seriously use something to crank me up.

With husky mix furbies, spring cleaning type cleaning is not just a yearly ordeal. Around here it needs to be a daily task but who has the energy for that, ya know, LOL. One good thing about me making their wet dog food is it has cut down on so much shedding. For me that is a huge plus!!! Which is also another thing on my list of things to do today, make dog food :) Tomorrow I am going to try out a new recipe for dog treats. If they like those then we are going all natural on that too :)

Spring cleaning for me is one of those things I do when I feel I need to also do a spiritual cleanse. There is nothing more fulfilling than cleaning out closets both in the physical realm and the spiritual one. It is a freeing the spirit sort of ordeal. You truly had no idea what is hiding within your head until your alone with mounds of junk you haven't seen in forever and your thoughts.

This year with all the inner changes I'm making I decided it was time to do a serious spring clean of everything. I have a deep desire to move things in a forward motion this year and I can't allow anything to stop me. Everything is starting to fall into place and there has been this overwhelming peace that has consumed my soul as of late. A bit of spring cleaning will help get anything hidden out of the way so I can continue this forward motion. Something that is long overdue for sure.

I have a dear friend who's not only a writing sister but a soul sister. She's been gently pushing me in the direction I need to move. I adore this woman because everything about her is gentle and caring. She has the most wonderful disposition of anyone I've ever known. She has an inner drive that is so appealing that it silently calls out to like souls. I appreciate her friendship with all that I am, because it is so easy to see she is truly trying to help in getting me back on track and doing what I love to do.

With this woman's gentle pushing it made me realize maybe just maybe I need to set aside some spring cleaning time to finalize whatever is holding me back from accomplishing all I need to do this year. I will let you know how that works out :)

Everyone have a wonderful day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Not only is it a new week but a new month... Welcome March!!!

Good morning, everyone!!!

Can you believe we're starting the third month of the new year already? Where does time go anymore?

I completed my first critique since last year yesterday. Man, did that feel so good. By the ninth of this month I will have my first beta read of the year completed!!! Yes, I'm excited, I've been waiting on this story to hit the public for a few years now :) Hint hint Fiona Riplee ;)

This week is a busy one and with us making up for a smaller crew at work it got even busier. However, it's not going to stop us from having a great time this week. One of my coworkers and I are hosting a Pure Romance party this week. So in between work, writing, and house cleaning, it is going to be a great start to a new month.

I have to give a shout out here to my wonderful coworkers. I've worked at places in the past where my coworkers seemed more like family than just coworkers, but this place not only has that small town feel to it, but the coworkers care for one another just like family. There is so much care and concern for one another within this work place that it is refreshing. When a crisis hits, everyone pulls together. It doesn't just fall on one person, everyone pitches in like a team to see us through the rough spots.

Last night I took an extra shift. I'd been there since noon. I wouldn't be going home until after eight. Not just one but two coworkers were so concerned about making sure I ate that one offered to go get me something to eat and the other didn't even bother asking, she said, "You need to eat so my husband is bringing us food."

Why does something this simple touch my heart? Because every day I witness so much self-centered behaviors that when someone does something like this it rebuilds my faith that there are still good kind-hearted people in this world. I just happen to work with several of them. :)

Speaking of work, I probably should get prepared for my day. We have truck today and hopefully that will go smoothly ;)

Everyone have a great day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

A great time by all...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Yes, it's early mornings for me for the next few days. I don't mind early mornings as long as I can get to bed at a reasonable hour the night before.

Last night, however, the momentum of the evening was still running pretty high late into the night, thankfully though I feel rested :)

We had a great time last evening and I hope those of you who joined us enjoyed yourselves :) Lots of fun prizes were given away and Deana Dick was our grand prize winner!!!

Congratulations, Deana!!!

Congratulations to everyone who won prizes last evening!!!

One thing about Facebook parties I enjoy the most is meeting so many different people. The games allow us to engage with one another on a lovely level. It's always fun meeting readers :)

If you haven't grabbed your copy of The Hope Chest Anthology, grab it today!!! This will only be available for a limited time. In October a new anthology will be coming out, Porch Swing. When it comes out The Hope Chest Anthology will come down.

http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Chest-Anthology-J-Devine/dp/0996839917/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456485752&sr=8-1&keywords=the+hope+chest+anthology

If you are an author looking for a writing home. Feel free to join us:

Don't Miss out!!!

Mark your calendars for our up and coming event this week!!! We have some fun games and great prizes!!!

Get to know the authors of The Hope Chest Anthology:

Jeana Mann
Allyson Douglas
Teresa Keefer
J.J. Devine
LaNora Mangano
Lisa Caviness
Fiona Riplee
Morgan K. Wyatt
Catalina Sunwoo

Each story in The Hope Chest Anthology is unique to each author. So if you enjoy reading a wide variety of genres then this is the anthology for you!!!

The fun begins at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 25th!!! So sign up today to get a jump on the festivities!!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/545131218988345/

Waking up on a Monday after a relaxing weekend...

Good morning, everyone!!!

I have to say this weekend was pretty relaxing considering...

As most of you know hubby and I love to camp. So this weekend they were having a Boat and Travel show in Indy, so we hopped in the car Saturday morning to head out and browse the campers on display :)

I have to tell you the day started off on the wrong foot. We got pretty close to the travel show when my van began to overheat. Of course this was right after hubby mentioned it would be comfortable to take on a trip :) Fortunately, it was an easy fix to continue our trip, but we had to spend a little time in a couple of parking lots before hubby had it running again. Normally, this would have made us on edge, but this time, we didn't even stress about it. We just enjoyed the time together and didn't let the little mishap get under our skin.

We headed on down to the show and walked through thousands of campers only to decide now we know what we will want in our new camper in a few years.

Yesterday was a rather enjoyable day as well. The daughter called me Saturday morning and wanted my biscuits and gravy. So, we planned a family brunch for Sunday morning with all the kids and grandkids. It was a great time. Of course, hubby at first thought I had way too much food, but by the end of the brunch there was very little leftover :) So, it was all good :)

I am a firm believer in enjoying the moment. I've told myself this year I will look at each day as a new adventure. I'm reminded of that each time I look at my vision board. When everything started going wrong on Saturday instead of stressing I looked around and thought, what kind of adventure will this day turn into. Living in the moment has really taken the pressure off of everyday life :) Thinking before reacting is definitely a plus as well.

Going into this new week I feel relaxed, confident, and ready.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

You've heard about the cat lady. What about the dog lady?

Good afternoon, everyone!!!

You've heard the term 'crazy cat lady' probably more times than you can count. In fact, a time or two that term has probably been used when describing me :) However, there is also such a thing as Crazy Dog Lady and I'm pretty sure I hold the corner stone on that title :)

Since all my children are grown and hubby spends a good deal of time on the road, I have a slight obsession with our dogs. So much so that our children do tend to get a bit jealous of our furbies. They are my babies though.

Since hubby decided to spoil me for Christmas and my birthday this year, I've gone a little food saver/kitchen aide mad. The past couple of weeks I've not only whipped up some goodies for the humans in this household, I've also gone to making homemade dog food for the furbies. I've always felt it was healthier and tried it one other time many years ago before all my fun new gadgets. This time around I have to say it looks much better and the dogs really seem to be enjoying it.

Today when I was cooking up chicken and rice for them, they surrounded me just waiting for me to fix their dishes. I have to say, it really made me laugh just thinking of the term "Dog Lady" because that is exactly how I felt.

Our furbies are not just dogs in our household, they are a huge part of our life. We wouldn't know what to do without them. Hubby says our boys, Shadow and Bear, are momma's boys, which is probably true for the most part. I do spend more time with them than anyone else.

They hang out watching tv with me. If I'm writing they are surrounding my chair lounging as I work. When night comes they curl up next to me and when hubby's home, they don't like to give up their spots on the bed for him to share the bed with us :) They have their own chair in the living room, or curl up on the couch with us. They camp with us, play outdoors with us, and keep those pesky squirrels at bay in the backyard.

They are my best friends, my protectors, my life size teddy bears. So, yes, there is such a thing as The Dog Lady, and I'm afraid I've lost my heart to the furbies that reside in our home.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Come Join the Party...

Good afternoon, everyone!!!

I'm so excited to invite you to a facebook party put on by the Crossroads Romance Authors!!!

We are celebrating our first Anthology release with all of you. There will be fun and games. Lots of chatter. Two hours of hanging with the authors :)

So mark your calendars for Thursday Feb. 25th at 7 p.m. We'd love to have you come hang out with us!!!

https://www.facebook.com/events/545131218988345/545195078981959/

Romance Writers Weekly presents...

Welcome back to Romance Writers Weekly!!! This week's topic is a good one and has the potential to keep you (the readers) in stitches. A.S. Fenichel wants us to tell you what's the craziest thing we've ever done in the name of 'researching a book.' Or What's the craziest thing you'd like to do to research a book? Hmmmm, the craziest thing I've ever done to research a book...

I've been writing for a long time so researching has been fun to say the least.

I've gone into our local Native American Store where the owner was a great source of information when researching Native American History. My children knew I would be there for hours if I said, "Let's run in real quick to the Native American Shop." There was no real quick on that one.

Crazy things I've done...

I've brewed white willow bark to capture the aroma of the room while writing a scene in Come Home With Me. I often do that with herbs if I am working on a healing scene. Like Dragon's Blood, from Into the Darkness. Dragon's Blood is my all time favorite scent, so I often burn that, or put on the oil while I am writing. Especially when I was working on Into the Darkness.

I use 100+ year old encyclopedias to research historical points in history, and when working on Passionate Pursuit, I had the old maps in those encyclopedias spread out across the table to outline my path for the cattle drive.

I would have to say the craziest thing though was the afternoon I was writing a shower scene in Never Let Me Go and I could not for the life of me think of the name of a shower scrunchy. Well, I hollered upstairs to tell my youngest son we have to run into the store. We drove into town and hit up three stores before I found out they were just called scrunchies :) Of course, before I did all of that running I spent some time calling around to friends to see if they knew the name of it, LOL.. Yeah, the silly things that will halt writing in its tracks...



Well, that's it for me. Let's hop on over and see what Leslie Hachtel has in store for us...

http://www.lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com