Barbara S. Stewart's Blog, page 6
November 23, 2014
November Thanks
Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I am feeling quite blessed. So many things I’m thankful for. I think so many times we forget to BE THANKFUL and FEEL THE BLESSINGS IN OUR LIFE. Stop a moment and do that – Please. I’ve been posting something on facebook that I’m thankful for everyday this month and I’m going to make a VERY STRONG EFFORT to continue to do so until NY EVEN and on 12/31/14 – before the ball drops to bring in a new year – read some of the things I wrote down.
And then I’m going to try to continue to remember to write them down for next year as well.
Today, I want you all to know how blessed and thankful for you.
You don’t have to take the time to read this, or anything that I’ve written. Sometime, when you’ve let me know that you did, it overwhelms me. I try to make a point to acknowledge in some way what your words and thoughts mean to me. If I’ve missed you, please reach out to me again, sometimes things get busy and unfortunately get overlooked. I appreciate the stories and MUSIC that you share with me on how a story, or a certain part of a story that I’ve written has touched you. I appreciate when you’ve told me what you wished I’d have done differently – I won’t change it after it’s published, but I WILL learn. I appreciate that YOU GET ME and understand that my love scenes will never be erotic, or not done in tasteful way – it’s not something I will ever be comfortable with, because my family are part of my audience. I’ve been faulted for not writing more graphic sex scenes, for taking you to the edge and not giving more. If you need that to enjoy the story, then I am not the author you want to read.
I want you to know that if you hadn’t taken the time to take a chance on me, I don’t know if I would have written the next word, but because of YOU – I keep taking chance on myself. You tell me that you like them and I feel the courage to write more. I don’t promote myself a lot – because I really don’t know how – that is something I need more guidance with. The greatest promotion of my work has been YOU. You read and tell your friends, or you write reviews, which is the greatest promotion of my work that I can imagine. If you haven’t reviewed something you’ve read – not just my work – anyone’s – PLEASE take five minutes to let other readers know what you thought. If you didn’t like it – give constructive criticism – you could crush someone’s dream that just needed someone to tell them, ‘next time do this, or check that’. We should lift each other up in a friendly way and praise their efforts by teaching them what they need to do different.
Everyday is a learning experience for me, so I am positive in my thoughts telling you that we all learn – everyone one of us who puts our heart out for you to read learns something everyday. We learn that covers have to be eye-catching. We learn to not overuse words because YOU told us. We learn that if you are touched by a certain story line, maybe someone who isn’t comfortable saying so probably was too. Personally, I have learned so many deep, personal things that you have experienced that it fills my heart. You shared a piece of your heart with me, because I shared a piece of mine with you.
And these stories I tell are my heart. My mom is in just about every story I have shared with you in some way, because it keeps her memory close to me. I have shared the love story that Gene and I have lived as well. (RRNF – Chapter 5 is the greatest trip that I ever had with this incredible man – now you know part of that).
I don’t “KNOW” people in the business, so I’ve found a support system to guide me and I appreciate them TO INFINITY AND BEYOND! They share tips, ideas, “should dos” and “think abouts” that have helped e navigate my way through the maze…
I just want to write. If you like it – let me know.
I want to thank EVERY READER, EVERY BLOGGER, AND EVERY FRIEND who has helped me get where I am. FOR YOU, I am THANKFUL.
Happy Thanksgiving.
With love, B
November 18, 2014
November 9, 2014
November Thanks Day 9
I know I don’t visit this site as often as I should. If you miss me 
visit the Author page on facebook, I add SOMETHING there every day.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbara-Stewart-Author/352239824808537
I need someone to help me with all this techo no stuff
I’ve been writing on my personal facebook page about things I’m thankful for – some days are fun things – some are a little deeper, but my THANKFULNESS today is taking root here…
I am thankful today that when I don’t sleep words are gifts to me that allow my imagination to run wild. That’s how this whole dream began for me. I have restless legs and haven’t had success with any of the RX that they’ve tried me on – the side effects are not good for me. I decided that people lived with this before all the drugs, etc were available, so I deal with it – I AM A FUNCTIONING INSOMNIAC. There, I said it. ha ha!
Seriously though when the legs get crazy, I just get up and sit at the computer and bounce them – if that burned calories and counted as an activity – I’d have legs like a supermodel.
In the middle of the night when this happens is when ideas come to mind for parts and piece for my stories come alive. Rock and Roll Never Forgets was all from no sleep – and music. I would say it jokingly, but Andy would be there telling me to add this or say that.
Now Tate is doing the same.
If you are reading this – I appreciate that you took the time to read my words – you could be looking at ANYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD, but you took a moment to see what I had to say. Thank you for being part of my #novemberthanksday9
Love, B
September 28, 2014
Sunday Thoughts
Good morning, friends,
I hope you are waking up (or already have) to a beautiful day. Looks like it’ll be rainy here for the next day or so – hard to complain about that when you drive by and the ponds are still low. (SO I WILL COUNT MY BLESSINGS)
I saw this picture this morning and it made me think – I see everyone posting what they are grateful for on their FB timelines – I am grateful everyday, I just keep it within.
I’ve felt overwhelmed for a while (Maybe since March 23rd) as several things in my life are changing. It’s hard for me to LET IT GO… There’s so much…
My goal, for now, is to let go of what I can’t control. I think that’s why this picture grabbed me this AM – I asked a friend the other day to help me with this. I’m opinionated and I just need to stop and breathe…
I’m working on the JUST BREATHE thing by counting to five first – I tried ten and couldn’t do it – HA! FIVE gives me a chance to think. I taught Weight Watchers for many years and one of the things I TAUGHT others was the five-finger rule, starting with my pinky – 1) do I want it, 2) do I need it, 3) do I want it, 4) do I need it, or… 5) can I live without it? WITH MY THUMB UP! Usually by the time I got to FIVE I had talked my self out of it. I can change what each finger means as long as the RULE OF THUMB is a positive outcome. So, if you see me counting with my fingers and ending with a thumbs up – you’ll know why.
Today, I will listen to my heart in hopes that I can get back on track to the WHO I want to be. I will TRY to relax – NEVER been good at this… Today, I will attempt to let the day happen – who cares if the dust bunnies run amuck. I will sit back and watch them run! ha ha!
Today I will let Tate guide me to the end of the story. That doesn’t mean it’s DONE, It just means that the story – what Tate wants you to read is a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Then, my job will be to go in and clean it up – remove what is overkill – I’m learning that some of you think I give too much story – and ENHANCE what I keep.
Today I WILL…
Blessings and love,
B
September 23, 2014
Where did September go????
Good morning everyone!
I blinked and September is almost over – How on earth did that happen?! We had family with us for a week and a new job – old job was rethought and I’m still doing some of the things I used to do, but also in a learning curve for the new responsibilities, and I’m thrilled to get started!
The temperature in NE Florida dropped two degrees and people are already digging out sweaters and boots I love this time of year. Gene and I sat on the back porch last night and enjoyed the coolness (80 versus 95) and watched our neighborhood baby ducks. We don’t see leaves change here until late November, and while it’s not as vibrant as some of you see, we see it!
The leaves changing reminded me that I was blessed to be able to spend a couple of hours with one of my favorite people on earth on Sunday. She is in Fl for a few days of respite and we met for dinner – never long enough, but we talked like we’d just seen each other last week. I hope that life doesn’t keep us apart for so long going forward… What is that saying – ‘The road to a friend’s house is never long..’
Well, I have to get ready for the J O B, so I’ll close this. I hope you are surrounded by peace and love until I write here again. If you think you’ll miss me – go to the FB page, I post something random there everyday.
Love, B
August 27, 2014
Today is the day!!!
everyone remember – and please share……
TONIGHT between 8-9:30 PM on the author page – celebration!!!
Also…..
RRNF is FREE – TODAY ONLY! GIFT IT! SHARE IT!
GO!!!
August 26, 2014
PARTY TIME!
Everyone remember – and please share……
Tomorrow (Wednesday) between 8-9:30 PM (FLORIDA TIME) on the author page – celebration!!!
August 24, 2014
#icebuckets and other fun stuff
Good morning!
I hope you are enjoying a SUNNY SUNDAY!
Some of you are friends on FB and have already seen this, but I wanted to share again because it’s important to me. Eight years ago yesterday I lost my mother to a disease called Progressive SupraNuclear Palsy. It’s a neurological disease that few have ever even heard of.
Here’s a link if you’d care to know about it. We went through many “maybes” when trying to get a diagnosis for her odd behaviors before we came to the diagnosis of PSP. http://www.psp.org/
I’ve seen all the icebucket challenges posted on FB and decided to do my challenge to promote awareness for PSP. Here’s my video:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=753191578072624&set=vb.100001453657349&type=2&theater
Whether you do the challenge or not is a personal choice – I did it because I wanted people to know about PSP – we didn’t… My wish in posting this today is that you support a cause you believe in – in your own way. I have many, but the exposure the icebucket challenge has received made me want to jump on the band wagon!
Now for the fun stuff!
Keep an eye open on Wednesday the 27th on my FB page…. BE ACTIVE ON THE PAGE BETWEEN 8-9:30PM (FLA. east coast time)!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbara-Stewart-Author/352239824808537
See you there!
B
August 16, 2014
Sleepy Saturday
Good morning…
I swear, I try to “sleep in” but my brain always has another idea. I need an off switch.
I’m up early today because “Tate” was singing to “Maisie” in my ear and I had to come jot down what he was singing
Someone asked me recently if I have a plan of how my stories will be laid out somewhere. You know, step by step what will happen… I can’t do it that way. The story evolves as I write, and I’ve gone back and said “THIS REALLY NEEDS TO GO HERE, NOT THERE” plenty of times. And I am learning that less is more. Some of you have told me that you could use less of the ‘what they’re doing and where they’re going’. So as I read back on what I’ve typed I ask myself ‘if it wasn’t there would it change the story’. The BIGGEST thing for me is that you understand WHY I left it. EACH WORD I TYPE, EACH SENTENCE, EACH CHAPTER = I learn something new. That’s all I want.
I’ve had a busy week, and am glad for a bit of respite. Today, one of my beautiful nieces is coming and we are going to go for coffee and then… WAIT FOR IT…. we’re going fishing – walking our happy butts right into PetSmart and getting a betta fish! ha ha! I had one that was given as a gift and he didn’t make it, so I’ve had this empty fish bowl sitting on the counter since then. For my birthday, I received a gift card to get a new one. Today we will come home with a fish! His name shall be Pio.
REMEMBER – Mark August 27th on your calendar!!!
Love, B
