J.J. Devine's Blog, page 7

And so it begins...

Good morning, everyone!!!

So begins the holiday decorating. I stayed up late last night rearranging things and prepping for today. Sometimes it just takes a bit of magick to make things work in the manner you wish them to :)

The birds are hanging out in their new location in the house. I just may keep them there. Easier clean up under the cage and easier to move the cage around. Besides they seem to be enjoying their new spot :)

By the time hubby got home I only had a couple of things on my list for last night to do. Now my list for today, well, it is already a mile long and I haven't finished adding to it yet :)

Hubby and I are hoping to have all the decorations brought in, the tree up, the lights and garland done, and food prepared by the time the kids get off work this evening. So, that means up early today, shopping early today, and then home to prep for the evening to come.

I took the eight year old granddaughter with me last evening to watch her cousin perform in her choir concert. I love the bonding time with this lady. She has such a beautiful soul. All this reading time together has really given us a chance to get closer as a granddaughter and grandmother. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. 

We've been reading a Nancy Drew book lately. The deeper we get into the story, the deeper our conversations on the storyline get. We've already got our first suspect figured out, LOL. Not sure if it really is him, but we're leaning that way right now LOL.

I grew up with a passion for reading. It does my heart good to see that same passion in the eyes of one of my grandchildren. You just know if someone is passionate about reading or if they just feel forced to read and is only doing it because they have to. 

Lil Miss truly enjoys reading. She enjoys the stories we choose each time we finish a book. We're on our sixth chapter book for the school year currently. We have nine more days on this Nancy Drew book, because we're only doing a chapter a day on this one. She's only a second grader, so I don't want to overwhelm her with some of the more complex words, and longer pages in the chapters. I love how when we come across a word she doesn't know the meaning of, she will ask, "Grandma, what does that mean?" I explain it and you just see the lightbulb go off as she comprehends what it means and how it relates to the story.

By summer break we are going to change things up a bit and work on a granddaughter/grandmother mystery. Lil Miss loves series books as much as I do, so who knows where we will go with all of this. She's always been a fantastic storyteller, so I can't wait to see how she does with this. 

Well I guess I should hit the shower. The day ahead is a long one, but it will be a fun one. All the school age grandkids will be here after school, then after the work day, the youngest one will be here. Stockings will be decorated and tomorrow hung from the fireplace. I'm excited to hear their laughter and enjoy their antics.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!












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TGIF...

Good morning, everyone!!!

I know I know it isn't Friday, but it's my Friday. I'm on the last day of my nine day stretch. Then of course throw in there most of this nine day stretch was during the last week of NaNoWriMo and yeah, I'm feeling the pressure and the relief this day brings.

Then I think of everything hubby and I have going on this week and wonder where the hell I'm going to get the energy to cover everything that needs to be covered, then I remember, you will find the energy because you're doing what you love.

Last evening I was going to get my house rearranged. In fact, I had good intentions of getting this aspect of our week done ahead so it would lighten the load for the rest of the week. Well, that didn't happen, sadly, so tonight after working all day today, I not only have to get that done, but do the stuff I was putting off until today to do.

Sometimes life throws us in a different direction than we intended. I went as far as to tell hubby, hell, let's just decorate the damn palm trees, LOL, versus get the Christmas tree out. I know it was just my mental exhaustion talking at that point, but damn, why can't things be simple???

I look forward to this time every year. Having the grandchildren help us decorate and make their stockings. It reminds me of what this season is all about. Excitement, surprise, and laughter.

I make a big dinner, the kids and grandkids come over, and hubby and I try to have everything ready for them to decorate. Because we know between work and school our little families have a million other things they need to be doing, but they take a moment out of their normal lives to help us. Allowing us to have a small glimpse of Christmas past when our children were young and we spent the day decorating. 

The house which is normally all too quiet, fills up with laughter of children once again. This brings smiles to our hearts and souls. They find the ornaments they remember from the year before, to place upon the tree. They take extra care with our remembrance ornaments for those loved ones who've passed on. Because for us, remembering the loved ones no longer here to share our Christmases is highly important.

I cook a big dinner so no one goes away hungry and because even though I don't do it often I still enjoy cooking. A bowl of cereal or a quick sandwich does the trick when you're just cooking for one all the time.

I hope my children understand this little time of year, we're not doing this to add just another task to their plates. It helps hubby and I keep the spirit of Christmas alive within us. It gives us something to look forward too and spend time with both our adult children and our grandchildren. We enjoy the music of their voices as we all converse.

Something I have realized over the course of this life, I hope to always be versatile and flexible. I hope to always be able to understand their side of things. I hope to always understand they are tired after a long day of already being out in the world. I hope to always be willing to bend if necessary. 

Life isn't easy. Sure, we have our good days where things just seem to fall into place. But we also have those overwhelming times where life doesn't go right even for one minute. I hope on those days I can find it in me to always just say, "Okay, what can I do to make this day work out." 

In the midst of misunderstandings there is no room for pride. Everyone needs to own their part and then move forward from there. Misunderstandings are not the end of the world unless you allow them to be. Life is full of misunderstanding things. It is part of what is in this big old world. 

But rising above it, moving forward, and owning your part, that is how you grow inwardly in this life. 

Fortunately, I'm flexible, and rearranging my plans in my day has become so common place that it seems like old news for me. Tonight, I get off work, I come home, work on things a bit, go read with the 8 year old granddaughter, then head out to watch the 10 year old granddaughter in her chorus concert, then back home for a late night of getting things done around here. 

Come tomorrow  and Thursday I'll be ready for what awaits me. Because that's what we do in this life. We adapt, we prevail, and we continue on even if we have to change things up a bit.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!















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NaNoWriMo and other things...

Good afternoon, everyone!!!

I know it has been awhile and believe me some days I would rather be blogging. But, of course I've been writing, writing, writing, amongst other things.

I figured out last Monday that my chosen story for NaNoWriMo is not going to be long enough. I'm more than 3/4 of the way through only to realize this will be a novella. So, my brain kicked in and decided it should also work on one of the historical romances to get my word count where it needs to be for this month :) So, write, write, write, I've been doing along with a few other things.

Last week we also decided to go ahead and start on my kitchen. The pic below is what it looked like Tuesday evening. We ripped up carpet, we took out cabinets, I got to use a sledge hammer :) By Thursday night I had cabinets back in, countertops, none of which are fastened down yet, and a new floor :) Next time hubby's home (next week) we're finishing up what we can and I'm good with that :)

Of course, I've been reading with the granddaughter here and there. They had a short week last week so we didn't have reading. Her mom and I have been coming up with new and exciting books for her as well. Things we both enjoyed as kids, we're hoping she'll enjoy too.

I hit up a flea market with my sister, uncle, and parents yesterday afternoon. It boggles the mind when your sister's text reads, "Hey, get dressed, we're coming to get you." How in the hell did she know I wasn't dressed, LOL. Her answer was simple, she hadn't got dressed yet, LOL.

We had a nice Thanksgiving at my sister's house again this year. I'm doing a big dinner next time hubby's home so all the kids and grandkids can come over to decorate the Christmas tree. I'm excited to cook in my new kitchen :)

A few other things that come to mind that have been weighing heavy on my heart recently is self worth. I've seen so many young ladies who've for one reason or another have lost their self worth.

Something I've learned over the past several months is compassion. Something I am mentally taking note of and how it affects my life and how I can use it in other aspects of my life.

Ladies, self worth is something that is easily taken away from us as women. We get so caught up in making others feel good about themselves that we forget to take care of ourselves and realize that taking care of ourselves is a priority. If we are on top of our game, if we push the mark to make ourselves the best person we can be, then it plays out in the world around us.

Don't ever belittle yourself for someone else. People will put you down to bring you down to their level, not because you aren't worthy of being on top, but because they can't handle seeing you on top. If someone truly loves you, they will be happy for you in all you do and accomplish in this life.

I'm not saying people don't argue and fight. That's part of life. But, I am saying don't let those arguments and fights bring you down to a level you don't believe you deserve happiness. Everyone deserves to be happy in their own right.

It's easy to get caught up in the trap of making excuses for the other person and their behavior. Don't do it. I know that sounds harsh, but just don't. We each are responsible for how we treat other human beings. If an excuse needs to be made, make the other person responsible for explaining their behavior. When you have to think about what you've done then you have to own what you've done.

There are so many beautiful women out there that allow too many to shove them down in the mud, until their drowning in their own misery. They don't see themselves through all the opinions of others. It breaks my heart.

Sometimes we need just one person to believe in us. Just that one person to say, "That's not how I see you." For us to begin to think, "Maybe, just maybe I am worthy."

Sometimes choosing your life means letting go of what weighs you down. It's damn hard to do, but sometimes it is something that must happen to save yourself, to start building your self esteem again. To allow you to become who you need to be in your life.

Then there is patience. Something I learn every day. Sometimes my patience is very short, other times, I surprise myself and wonder where in the hell did that come from.

Understanding. Another aspect of life I have been learning this year. Understanding what I cannot wrap my brain around to understand. Sometimes understanding is just letting go of preconceived ideas and just being. Letting things fall where they may.

So, anyway, this is where I've been over the last month. I'm hoping to accomplish my goals and push that mark over the next four days. Wish me luck....

Everyone have a lovely evening!!!

Blessings to all!!!













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It's not supposed to be this hard in the beginning...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Well, I'm up by almost two hundred words on my NaNoWriMo project :) But damn these last two days was really hard to sit down to write. I think mainly because it was my early early days at work and I just wanted to go to sleep LOL. But this is part of the process I'm working toward so yep I did it :)

I also picked up a cold from my youngest granddaughter, which doesn't help matters, but I refuse to allow something so petty as a cold get me down. Got my Vitamin C, my sinus pills, and of course my Execedrin for those achy moments. Coffee to open the sinuses in the mornings, and swapping back and forth between decaf and caffeinated tea to keep me going through the day. This too shall pass.

Sometimes writing is just hard. Then throw in a foggy tired brain and it takes a few more minutes to get things together. But, get it together I will, keep pushing the mark so to speak. I argue with myself for about an hour. I toss around the idea of catching up later, only to remind myself later never comes. Then I procrastinate (because we all know I'm queen of procrastination) for about a half hour. Then I open the document, read over what was written the day before. Toss in a few changes, then boom, I'm writing again. 

This morning I woke up and feel like a slug, but I know once I get up and moving I'll feel better. It is just making myself start moving :) That shower will help a bit as well :) 

I am working on Unfinished Business. What I had done was just moving way too fast, so I had to slow things up quite a bit. So, I started fresh, same concept, just slowing the process way down. I want it to be a full length not a short story LOL. At the rate it was going before it would have been done in about 10,000 words or less, which wasn't the game plan to begin with.

Well it is almost time to feed the dogs and get them put up for the day. Then feed the cat and wake up the birds and fish before hitting the shower.

It's work, reading with Lil Miss, then home to work on Unfinished Business a little more before finally calling it a day.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!












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And so begins the month of chaos...I mean November...

Good morning, everyone!!!

And so it begins... 50,000 words... Thirty days...
Insanity... Author bonding... Isolation... ahh the list goes on and on.

A group of us had a NaNoWriMo prep session on Tuesday. This gave us a chance to decide what we were doing and allowed us to deep think on what we were doing before this actually began.

Tonight we have our first writing sprint to kick us off and get things going. An author friend of mine made a bunch of these as events on Facebook for the month to help keep us motivated and keep us going. In between if we are sitting down to write we can give a shout out to our writer pals and do a few more writing sprints :) 

You know anything to help us survive the month of November :)

So tonight I go into writing mode after work, do the writing sprint between 7 and 8. Then a board meeting at 8. It is going to be a long day for certain :)

Why do I do this? Because it gets me back to a place in my writing where I need to be. I am horrible about allowing life's little issues to get me down and take me away from what I really need to be doing. It is hard to balance two full time jobs. But I'm at a place right now in life that it is possible to do without having to worry over anyone but me. I just need to get it going and maintain it. So hence the reason for NaNoWriMo this year. It will get me back on the track I need to be on and that's my end goal more than anything else this year. Getting back to the me I need to be.

Besides that, I love the writing chaos LOL.

So for anyone out there who's taking on this challenge and don't want to go it alone, hit me up, we'll get through this month together, I promise :)

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!












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NaNoWriMo, Life, and Other Things...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Yep, NaNoWriMo is right around the corner, in fact just two days away :) One of my author friends scheduled us a ton of sprint times so we're not in this alone :) She even posted us a prep time for tonight. 

Where would I be in this life without my author buds? I'm pretty sure sitting in some padded cell somewhere looking out the pretend window.

I've completed my flock (unless of course I find a red parakeet or the one that resembles flames, red, orange, yellow, and white). My flock consists of six now, Rudy, Sunny, Mr. Gray, Angel, Tweety, and now Gracie. They definitely are a busy little flock. Always chirping, flying, doing something. Sunny still plays music for momma on the glass water dish. They chatter with one another continuously which makes me smile. I have to say they do bring life to this household :)

The cat is starting to show her age a bit. She can no longer jump up (without making a huge mess) to the area where her food and water dish resides. So I've moved them to the floor for better access for her. She's still my sour patch kitty, sweet then sour, or sour then sweet, just depends on her mood LOL.

My puppy furbies are learning they do have rules. But otherwise their doing just fine. Shadow isn't happy with some of the new rules and he storms out of the room when he's told no. Literally storms LOL, like if he gets on the couch after being told no, and I tell him to get off of it, he will jump down and walk out of the room and go either upstairs or in my room. It's his way of protesting his new rules, LOL. 

Lil Miss and I are still doing our nightly reading. We took Fall Break off but resumed Book 3 of The Boxcar Children last evening. I just love sharing this time with her :)

Our charity has begun at work for the fall. The only time I sat down yesterday was when Lil Miss and I read. That was from the time I got ready for work until I went to bed last night. I put together chicken and noodles and mashed potatoes for today's special. But it is all worth it in the end :) Tomorrow's special is Halloweenies, hot dogs, chili dogs, chili cheese dogs, or cheese dogs :) 

We've got our raffles going as well, but still have to get mine ready to go and get it up there. I'll get it going :) 

Life's been busy, but I've taken time for me as well. Giving myself a break last weekend to binge watch The Haunting of Hill House. People have said it is super scary, but my opinion is nope not scary, some shock factors, but it is a show to keep you on the edge of your seat and the writers did an amazing job with it. I really enjoyed it. 

Today is work then home to prep for NaNoWriMo, then hopefully a good night's rest before NaNo begins on Thursday, because we know once it starts there's no rest for the wicked ;)

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!













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Mentally preparing...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Soon torture month will begin for my fellow author friends and I. Where we attempt to push the mark and write 50,000 words in a month. 

We go in with a positive attitude. We go in with the utmost confidence that we got this. We go in thinking we have the bull by the horns.

Shortly after it begins, we start feeling like, "What the hell have I got myself into?" Followed up by, "What was I thinking?" 

Then about mid month it's all about the doubt. "I can't do this. I don't know why I even attempt this every year."

Then the last week comes in. Depending where we are in our writing and how close we are to the expected word count, we either throw in the towel or push ourselves even harder to make that goal.

Why do we torture ourselves like this? Because we're writers, authors of stories and words, and yeah, probably a bit crazy :)

I will be spending this last few weeks of the month prepping. Making sure the house is in order, maybe even cooking up some meals to just pull out of the freezer to throw in the microwave. Because let's face it between the day job and the writing there will be no time for much of anything else. 

We've already spoken with one another to make a game plan for the month. Writing sprints, moral support, prepping to push each other to our fullest abilities. It's what you do :)

I've got two more months of this year to work out some kinks in life. Make some firm decisions on how to proceed into the new year. To assess so many lessons that have come to me this year. Things I would never have dreamed would come to pass. I need to open a new door for the up and coming new year. One less stressful. I need to let go of so many things and open the path for the new to enter my life.

When situations are so close to the heart it is hard to put things in to perspective. But it is something I need to do. So many things have come to pass this year, so many thoughts, emotions, and it is not healthy. So I need to focus on the positive. Maintain a positive outlook. And push the positive mark more.

There have been some pretty positive things that have happened this year. So much learning over the course of the summer and fall. I've learned so much and have found this to be a very positive impact on my life. 

The youngest son moving out. Starting to live his own life. I've now got the freedom to worry about very little other than what I want to do. Which feels strange in some ways, seeing as I've always had people to take care of :) 

Sure I still have my little zoo to tend to :) But other than that, it's just me most of the time. So now is my time to really push the mark on the things I love and enjoy. It's just wrapping the brain around it all :)

Rudy update: 

He's thriving now. His tail feathers are coming back in nicely. He's enjoying hanging with his friends. They are always full of themselves LOL. Sunny plays music for me on the glass dish whenever he's asked :) Mr. Gray thinks he's all that and tries to rule the roost. I guess it may be time to get another female to put these guys in their place :)

Well there you have it. Bear with me over the course of the end of this year. I have a ton on my mind and really no solutions to where this will go. But I'm working on it :)

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

















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Happiness...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Happy news, Rudy is back in the big fly cage with his friends. He still has a little way to go, but he's doing so much better and needs that extra room the large cage offers to allow the flying to get stronger. The smaller cage was great for rest and recouping, but the large cage is best for flying :) 

For a few weeks now I've been going to meet up with Lil Miss for some daily reading. We picked out The Boxcar Children as our trial book to see if she would enjoy reading those better than some of the other books she'd been reading. I told her about how much I enjoyed them as a little girl and I'm super stoked she has taken to this series.

We're almost finished with the second book and I just love how much she is enjoying them. She is already excited to start book 3 :) which will be this Thursday. 

See she has a worksheet she fills out each day when she reads. Monday through Thursday, with two spots for extra credit for reading on the weekend. So, each day after school I head over and we read, then on Sunday I go over and we read a few more chapters for her weekend reading.

It is so cool to see how much she is enjoying reading something I enjoyed so much as a child her age. Reading and writing are my passion, so sharing this experience with a grandchild is so amazing. 

Bug enjoyed listening to stories as a small child, but as he grew, well, it just isn't his thing and I understand, sometimes boys have a bit more on their minds than reading, LOL. You know like games, movies, and just being a boy.

Garden Weed would rather do hair, makeup, and chat about boys. She doesn't mind reading, but would rather being doing something else. Which I understand that also.

Little Zoe Belle, she's just too busy all the time to sit still for very long, LOL. Cracking me up with her antics. Making me smile at every turn and full blown laugh most of the time.

Lil Miss, however, was the one grandchild that I would have to leave a bit early each night when her mom and I worked together, so I could read her a couple of books before we left for work. Now it has just become our thing lately. I love how when it comes to the questions for the day she already has her answers. Each day the questions are different, each day they make them think about what they've read. It makes my heart smile that she is enjoying them so much.

She's my creative grandchild. For years she's been able to spin a tale and keep your attention. All the makings of a future writer :) If I can share in this nurturing of her creative mind just a little bit, well, that will be shear pleasure.

Happiness doesn't have to be all about having every little thing in life. Happiness can be as simple as sharing a beloved series of stories with a grandchild and watching them enjoy it as you once did. That is happiness for this writer/reader. This is what brings a spark to my heart.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!



















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Time to live...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Update on Rudy:

Hubby and I felt the need to put Rudy in the smaller fly cage after a few days in with the other birds. He was doing so well making it to the top of the large fly cage to sit on the top branches and perches. However, Mr. Gray was not being so nice to him. Knocking him down from the upper perches. So in light of this new behavior in Mr. Gray we felt it was best if Rudy had his own space to recoop. 

The talons we thought he had lost, well, they are there, however, he doesn't seem to have use of them at the moment. He is getting stronger by the day :) Sleeps on his perch each night. We've set the smaller fly cage on my desk next to the larger fly cage where he can interact with his friends but remains safe from harm. His wing is doing better which is a plus. His balance is definitely doing better. He exercises daily :) He sings with the others and chatters away. When I hold him he cuddles into my hair LOL.

I will update again when there's more to tell.

I spent the evening with a dear friend last night. She and I are experiencing much the same thing over the course of life right now. It wasn't really a bitchfest but more of an eye opening fest we had.

We spent the evening figuring out life right now. I hope that makes sense. Life is meant to be lived. We've each had hopes and dreams that we put on hold until our children were grown. You know those things you say, "When the kids are grown and I can have a moment to breathe." Yeah, those kinds of moments.

The problems with moms is we never fully turn off mom mode. Even when our kids are grown and having children of their own. We want to protect them from themselves sometimes. But at what point in life do you day, "I can't keep bandaging the same wound over and over again?"

That's where she and I are at this point in life. We've decided to become one another's support system. We've decided it is time we begin to live those lives we have worked so hard to have. 

Does it mean we won't worry? Hell no, we're mom's, we're going to worry. But we will not allow this worry to consume us. We have to step into this unknown, we have to allow ourselves life. 

Before she came over I asked the Lord and Lady to give me insight, give me the right words, give me the knowledge not only to help her but to help myself as well. 

As we sat there talking the words came, the light bulb went off, and I walked away from our conversation knowing how much just talking things through with her helped. There was no sugar coating anything between us. Just truths we both must face. Knowing sure we will stumble from time to time, but pushing forward in our life is the ultimate goal.

As one gets older in this life, one must learn to live life for yourself from time to time. I'm not saying never be there for others, I'm just saying also remember to be there for yourself. Don't forget to do the things in life that make you happy.

Life is not as long as we think it is. Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. But also allow those around you to make their own mistakes because this is their learning process as well.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!












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Longest day of my year...

Good morning, everyone!!!

Yeah, it is that time of year again. Jonesboro River Rally, Ducktail Run, and James Dean. Yesterday blew my mind, we've always been busy on the Friday of the day, but man oh man, we were swamped all day long. So, I have no idea what to expect today. 

What I do know is, we will have fun with it. We will just do our best and go with the flow :) 

I'm not a crowd person, so this is that one weekend out of the year where I go outside my comfort zone and let go of the need to not be surrounded by people and just go with it. We had one man rolling so hard with laughter yesterday that it prompted me to say, "We'll be here all weekend." LOL. He said he was coming to the Circle K for his entertainment and couldn't wait to see what we came up with next :)

Man, when 2018 began this year I really just thought it would be a year where I set out on new adventures, trying new things, and lessons would be just learning how to go with the flow a bit more. 

Well, going with the flow has definitely been a big part of this year's lessons, but damn, I had no idea how deep some of these life messages would take me. There has been many a dark alley so to speak, but also many sunshiny days. 

I have come to realize I just need to stay focused on my inner self and do my damn best to stay connected to me and my dreams. It's time to get life on the right track. Keep looking at the future but live in this moment. Don't burden myself with things I cannot control. Fix what I can control. Look to the future with fresh eyes and a soul that can make things happen. 

I also know to give myself those times where I can't be super woman. You know those times where you get upset with yourself for not being able to accomplish it all. Well, no more reaming myself over the things I can't do but be happy with those things that I can do. 

Tomorrow is another day. I know I need to get this weekend behind me and then push forward from there. That time I once dreamed of when my house was full is now upon me and I need to make the best of it. 

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!














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