What's on Your Mind?

Hi all,

I'm sure each of us has something that's been on our mind.  Sometimes it's something good, sometimes it's something that concerns us, sometimes it's something that we don't want to deal with, sometimes it's something good.  Well, whatever has been on your mind, if it's serious, you just need to deal with it.  Face facts and move forward.  It it's something good, celebrate it with those you love.  Keeping things inside and constantly on your mind, isn't good for your peace of mind or your general health. 

The unpleasant things that we need to face are very often hard for us to do, but once they are dealt with, we can move on, move forward with our lives.  If you have something unpleasant to deal with in your life, decide what the best way is to handle the situation.  Try to do this without hurting the other person or persons.  I know that sometimes we want the satisfaction of knowing the other person is hurting, just as we are, but that's not the Christian way to handle it. 

You will feel much better about yourself, if you do what has to be done with kindness and love.  Then move forward with your life.

I don't really have too much on my mind at this precise moment.  I have been thinking about what my next writing project will be.  I'm finished writing my novel "Crafty-cruise with a Capital C" and I am now in the proofing stage.  I don't particularly like this stage, not one bit.  It's hard for me to read slow and concentrate on each individual word I read.  But, I've already proofed it once, now I've decided I will print it out and then try proofing it once again.

I have some ideas on what my next writing project will be, but I'm not quite ready to share that information just yet.  I need to think and pray on it for awhile. 

I hope you all have been making good use of your time and talents.  It would be a shame for you to just waste the talents that God's blessed you with.  I try very hard not to waste mine.  So, I wish you luck on finding out what those talents are, if you don't already know, and finding the time to put them to good use.  God bless and have happy thoughts!
Susan

What's in a twenty-four hour period?

Hi all,

I was reminded this morning about how very fast time passes.  Exactly how long is a twenty-four hour period?  Yes, I know twenty-four hours!  What I mean is how many hours do you really have in one day?

For me, I usually get up between eight and eight thirty in the morning and I normally go to sleep by ten at night (sometimes 9:30).  That leaves me approximately thirteen hours out of the twenty-four.  From the time I get up, get out of the bathroom, get downstairs, start laundry, make the coffee, eat breakfast and read for a while, put laundry in dryer, another hour has passed.  Now I'm at twelve hours. 

I then return upstairs, turn on my PC, check my email, check FB and my blog, then I get dressed and make the bed.  Now I've used up another half hour or so, leaving me eleven and one half hours.  If I've started laundry, I will now go down and fold it and start another load.  I take the first load of clean clothes upstairs and put them away.I return to the first floor to add the softener into rinse cycle, then I may read until the washer is again finished.  I then put the laundry into the dryer and go up on the third floor and work on a few handmade cards for about forty-five minutes to an hour.   Then I return back down to fist floor and fold second load of wash.  Take it upstairs and put it away. By the time I get this finished, I've lost another 2 1/2 hours, meaning I'm now down to about nine hours. 

So far, I haven't really done very much, now have I?  I eat my lunch while I watch the news and Access Hollywood.  Then I do watch Days of Our Lives.  When that's over, I turn off the television and either work on a novel, with my feet up on the sofa, (or proof read what I already have), or go back to my craft room for forty-five minutes to an hour.  (I can't stay up there any longer than that in the afternoon because I'm too tired and I get such pains in my back if I do.)  Now, it's three o'clock and I need to sit down with a pillow behind my back so the pain goes away.  So, I watch Dr. Phil until 4:00, now I'm back up and in the kitchen to fix dinner for my husband and myself.  We usually eat by 4:30/5:00, at the latest, and by the time we're finished eating and I've cleaned up the kitchen, it's 5:45/6:00 pm.

So, I now have four hours left in my day and, for me, these are pretty much wasted hours, as I am so tired, I don't do anything but recheck my email and FB and then watch television. I head upstairs to the bedroom at 9:00.  My body is just not comfortable anymore on the sofa.  I will watch some reruns of a comedy, either until 9:30 or 10:00, it just depends on how tired and sleepy I am.

So, now mythirteen hours is all gone and what exactly have I accomplished?  Not a whole heck of a lot!  But I have to deal with my days the only way I am able, what with my illness.  Perhaps now you understand why I live every day with Gratitude and Acceptance to God.  After all, I am still alive and breathing and for that, I thank God with all my heart.  I am not now, or will I ever, complain about the way my life now is!

I'm sure your days have a few more waking hours in them than mine, but really, some days I'm sure, even you, don't feel like you've accomplished very much.  Am I right?  Here's hoping today is a prosperous day for all of you and also, for me.
Susan 

Here It Is Again!

Hi all,

Once again the weekend has arrived.  What's on your schedule for today and tomorrow?  Will it be running your children all over creation; cleaning your home; catching up on laundry; going to your kids sports games; grocery shopping; or perhaps running endless errands?

If you still have children living in your household, then I'm sure you're probably be doing one or more of the above.  If you're a senior citizen, then perhaps you'll be busy running around with your friends.  If you're ill like I am, then today and tomorrow won't be much different than any other day of the week.  Pretty much sedentary, but I'm truly not complaining.  I've learned to accept and adjust to my current "normal" life a long time ago.  I'm just thankful to be alive.

Actually, tomorrow late afternoon, my Red Hat Group is meeting for an early dinner at Carrabbas in Mechanicsburg.  It is one of our favorite restaurants and we do enjoy eating there.  I am looking forward to see my friends once again.  I see them about once a month, except for during the summer months, when I see a few of them more often.  Friends play a very important part in ones life and this is so very true for me. 

I was laying in bed this morning thinking about what today's date was.  I realized today is Feb. 23, leaving us with only five more days left in February.  I just can't believe how fast this month has gone by.  Next Friday will be March 1. 

Of course I like the idea of spring arriving, but then I know summer will be coming in on it's coat tails and I'm really not looking forward to the heat and humidity.  They make it very hard for me to be outside during the summer months.  So, just like during the winter, I'm stuck indoors, once again.  I suppose it's a very good thing that I like being alone with myself; that I don't have a problem with the silence.  Actually, sometimes, I thoroughly enjoy it.  It's a good time for me to speak with God.  Also, the silence is a good time for me to listen to His whispers. 

Well, whatever you choose to do with your two days off, please don't forget to make a little time for yourself and for just you and your partner.  God speed!
Susan

There May Just Be A Light At The End Of The Tunnel!

Hi all,

Well, today is the 19th of February.  Can you believe it?  It seems like we just celebrated Christmas.  Where does the time go?  You know, when I was younger and my daughters were still in high school, I used to think that I never had enough time to do everything that was required of me.  Fortunately, I got most of it finished.  I remember thinking that when my girls all grew up and left home, that time would slow down.  Well, that wasn't the way it was.  Then I thought that after I became ill and had to live a sedentary lifestyle, that time would really drag on by.  Once again, I was wrong.  Time still flies by!  Why is it that when we're younger, we all think time will drag when we get old? 

As the years have flown by, I've realized a lot of things about growing old.  One thing I know, is that we never stop learning and growing mentally.  The things we learn are not just facts about this or that, but we also learn what's really important in our lives.  No longer are things important to me.  My husband, my immediate family, my extended family and my friends are the most important people in my life.  They are the reason why I'd want to live another day. 

Perhaps it's because when we've reached our sixties or are living every day with an illness which could keep us from living very long, we start categorizing things very differently.  To quote Oprah, "I had an a-ha moment."  That was back in 2006, after being diagnosed with Chronic Congestive Heart Failure, cardiomyopathy, H-V Block and implanted with a defibrillator with a built in pacemaker.  I had been pacer dependent since 1992.  Well, the good news is that I'm still living. I still wake up every morning giving praise to God for His marvelous blessings.

So, I figured God still had something He wanted me to do.  He wasn't done with me yet, on this earth.  So, I set out to try to figure out what He wanted me to be doing.  Since, obviously, I couldn't do anything physical anymore, I assumed He wanted me to do something with the many creative talents He's blessed me with.  So, that's what I'm doing.

I've been working an a sequel to my first adult fiction novel, "Sassy With A Capital S".  This follow up novel is called, "Crafty-Cruise With A Capital C".  I'm almost finished writing it. Then begins the tedious chore of proof reading it.  I discovered that proofing is a very hard thing for me to do.  You really have to look at and read each individual word in the book.  I tried doing that but then I'd discover that I was, once again, scanning the words.  It's been proven that if you are given a paragraph to read in which every word used starts and ends with the correct letter, but all the other letters are incorrect, we can still read it.  The reason for this is because we 'scan' to read.  Strange, isn't it?

What's been going on in your life?  I hope you've been doing some interesting activities.  I, also, hope that you've made some time for yourself.  Time to be alone, time to put yourself first, time to meditate, time to talk with God!  And don't forget to make time to listen to what God's whispering in your ear.  It's so important that you save some of your busy life for yourself and God.  After all, where would we be without Him?  You know the answer to that question is:  We'd be dead.  Then if we were good Christians and lived a good life, we'd still be with Him.  If not, then I think you know where you'll be....

I hope you have a very productive week.  Work hard, love hard and forgive with ease.  All my best to all of you.  I'd love to hear your comments.
Susan

This Week In Review!

Hi all,

Well, according to the weather man, tomorrow we go back to winter weather, no more mid forties for a few days anyways.  I really don't like the cold and windy weather, but then I really don't have to go out in it very often.  Now that I think about it, I haven't been out of the house since Tuesday morning.  Usually I go for groceries on Thursdays, but I wasn't feeling very well, so I thought I'd go on Friday.  Turns out I still wasn't feeling well, so my husband did the grocery chore for me.  He did pretty good at following my list.  Turns out I was still feeling a bit under the weather today.  I do hope that tomorrow comes without any aches or pains, or more to the point, less sinus drainage and less congestion.

What have you been up to lately?  I do hope you've been doing something to express yourself creatively.  I've been very busy between writing.  I'm almost finished my sequel novel, "Crafty-Cruise" With A Capital "C".  It will still be some time before I am ready to get it to a publisher.  I have a lot of proof-reading to do and changes to make.  But, the good news is that I now see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I've also been busy creating handmade greeting cards.  I've been trying some new card designs and I love using them, but it does take me quite a while just to do one.  I've finally finished my Halloween cards and I'm almost done with my Thanksgiving cards for my family for this year.  I also made two 'get well' cards, but I still have quite a few more to create. 

Along with being an author, and greeting card creator I also have been busy doing some quilting.  I love doing hand sewing and for me, it's such a relaxer.  I finished a tree wrap for my artificial pine that's in my bedroom and now I'm almost completed with a quilted table runner for my dining room table.  The fabric is a combination for teapots, teacups and saucers.  It's so perfect for my dining room because the artificial pine that's in there is decorated with miniature teapots, teacups and saucers. 

Once or twice a year I have a tea luncheon here in my home for my friends.  I get out my good vintage china charger-plates, salad plates, dinner plates, bread plates, saucers and tea cups, butter plates and dessert plates.  Oh, and of course, my vintage teapots and creamer and sugar bowls.  It's a lot of work, but all my friends seem to love it, so it gives me pleasure in pleasing them.  But, only once or twice a year!

I can't  believe that we are on the down side of February already.  Lent started this week and before you know it, Easter will be upon us.  I decided not to give up anything for Lent this year, but rather to make more quiet time with just God and me.  Without Him, I wouldn't be alive, so I certainly can give Him a bit more one on one time. 

Of course, this past Tuesday was Fausnaught Day.  I'm really not sure if Fausnaught Day is celebrated in other countries or even it it's celebrated everywhere in the US.  But, here in South Central Pennsylvania, it surely is celebrated.  One of these days I'm going to make a small batch of those wonderfully yummy fausnaughts. 

When I was a child, my Mother would start mixing the ingredients for fausnaughts on the Monday evening before Fausnaught Day.  It was an all evening and half the night venture for her.  After mixing the dough, she needed to sit it aside so it could rise, then she'd punch it back down and let it rise up once again.  Then she'd start rolling and cutting out the donuts, laying them all out on tables all through the downstairs (kitchen, dining room and living room).  At this point, which was usually around 12:30 or 1:00 in the morning, she'd go to bed for maybe two hours.  Then she'd get up, dress for work and head out into the kitchen to start frying the fausnaughts.  After all the frying was done, she'd place them in a large paper bag and add 10x sugar, shake and then put into bags of either 1/2 dozen or dozen.  Everybody at the sewing factory, where she worked,  ordered fausnaughts.  Not only where my Mother worked, but at my Dad's place of employment (York Barbell Co.) as well. 

So, what I was used to was waking up on Fausnaught Day to the smell of fresh made fausnaughts.  (Actually it was more the grease smell, but I thought it smelled wonderful.)  We (my sister, brother and I) would eat at least two for breakfast.  (I mean to tell you, these were very large fausnaughts.  One of my uncles, Uncle Sam, made my Mom a large donut cutter.)  Then I'd put one in a bag and take it to school with me to eat after lunch.  I'm sure we had at least one or two more after school and for a snack that evening.  Note:  I still have my Mom's recipe and I have never tasted anyone else's that were as good as hers.  That shouldn't surprise me, because she was a great cook.  Actually she was good at pretty much everything she did.  I miss her and my dad very much.

Well, I do hope you are having and will continue to have a good weekend.  My husband just got back from one of my Grandson's Lacrosse games.  He really enjoys going to all their sports games.  I'm glad he goes because he enjoys it and it gives him something to do, since I'm usually too tired to do anything by 3:00 in the afternoon.

Talk to you soon.
Susan

Shorty

Hi all,

Just a short post for now to let you know that my booklet, "Congestive Heart Failure: Changing Lives" will be up for free promotion tomorrow, Sat., Feb. 16.  You can access it by going to:  www.amazon.com.  You can read it if you have a Kindle, computer or Ipod.

Thanks,
Susan

PS:  I'll be back with another blog soon.

Sometimes I'm Truly Amazed!

Hi all,

Today I'd like to talk a little about God, Our Lord and Savior.  I don't want to tramp on any ones toes, but I am a Catholic and I have a very strong faith in God.  I've been a Catholic all my life.  I was born to a Catholic Mother, but my Dad was not Catholic.  Actually, I don't remember him every attending any church except the times he went along with my Mother and us kids to church.  Usually this was just on special occasions.  Although, for the last ten years or so of my Mother's life, my Dad always went to Mass on Sundays with her. 

Upon his death, I never doubted that he was welcomed into our Heavenly Kingdom.  He was indeed a good man.  He had great respect for God, for the sanctity of marriage, for my Mother and for family.  He worked very hard all his life, working two jobs for many years while I was growing up.  As for my Mother, she was a devout Catholic and she had great faith in God.  Those are the things she passed on to me and my siblings. 

I went through twelve years of Catholic schooling.  I love God with all my heart and soul and I know, positively, that He is with me now, and always has been, every minute of every hour of every day of my life.  How do I know this?  The answer to that is so simple.  I made it through every single painful and sad time in my life.  Sometimes, just barely making it, but those were the times He carried me.  Boy, of boy, He must have been tired of carrying me sometimes.  But, He never gave up on me. 

By all right, almost sixty-five years ago, I should have died at birth.  You see I was born with a heart defect and I was birthed breach.  My Mother once told me that she heard the doctor say that they only had a few minutes to get me birthed before I died. At that point, she was put under.  So, when she woke up, she didn't know if I lived or not.  Obviously, I did.  Thank you, Lord!

In June, that will be sixty five years ago.  I've lived all these years with a heart defect, which I could contro, somewhat, l until I reached my late thirties.  At that time, my heart got worse and within a few years I had to depend on a pacemaker to live.  That was almost twenty one years ago.  Then almost seven years ago, I took a turn for the worse.  My heart had become extremely enlarged and wasn't working very well.  I ended up with a defibrillator with a built in pacemaker. 

I'm not expecting anyone to feel sorry for me.  In fact I don't feel sorry for myself.  I feel blessed.  I can't ever tell you how much God has blessed me over the years.  Back in 2006, after I got out of the hospital, I learned that my life was now changed.  If I wanted to continue living, I needed to change everything about my life and I did.  Living was more important to me than doing things with family or friends.  My life is very sedentary now.  Please don't misunderstand me, I AM NOT COMPLAINING!  I love my life just the way it is!  God has been so good to me.  I have the best husband in the world, the most beautiful and wonderful daughters, very responsible and loving sons-in-law, the most spectacular grandsons I could ever ask for, a loving extended family and truly loving friends.  Tell me, what more could I possibly ask for?  I have everything I need, so when I say that God has truly blessed me, I am being very sincere.  I love that I wake up every morning and have another day to give back to God for all His blessings.  I try to do that through my writing, art work, creating home-made greeting cards and other creative things. 

I suppose I'm being spiritual today because my closest friend had an encounter and fell on Sunday.  She ended up in the hospital for two days.  She's home now and she's doing well, but I think this misadventure will make her start putting herself and her health first in her life.  I do realize that as women, putting ourselves first seems selfish. For many, many years a women puts her husband and children first.  She's always last.  It's just the way it goes.  God has truly blessed her and I pray that she'll start living every day with Gratitude and Acceptance.

All I know is that my life became easier to accept after I learned to be grateful to God for everything going on in my life, including my illness.  Also, to accept my life and to embrace my illness and everything about it.  Depression comes from time to time, but I refuse to dwell on it and push it aside as soon as possible. 

I don't know, maybe this is part of the way God wants me to give back.  Maybe I'm to share with all of you because perhaps someone out there is struggling with illness and depression.  If that might be you, my advice to you is to learn all you can about your illness and then try to embrace it with both arms.  Take control of your health and your life.  Put yourself first and do what the doctors tell you.  Don't ever let anyone else talk you into doing something that you know will cause you distress.  Once you accept your illness, the gratitude and acceptance comes easily, trust me.

Good luck to all of you out there.  You may not have an illness now, but I have learned that things can change in a second, making your every day life disappear.  Praise God and trust Him, always!
Susan

Well, Once Again, It's Almost Over!

Hi all,

As the saying goes, all good things come to an end!  That's what's happening with this weekend:  it's ending...  Tomorrow it will be back to the same old, same old.  You know what I mean.  Whether you hold down a full time job, are a stay-at-home Mom, work from your home or are retired, weekdays are different than weekends.  Since my husband is still working a part time job, and isn't around as much through the week, my weekdays are different, also. 

I, too, have my regular routine.  Mondays and Fridays I usually do my laundry.  Thursday mornings I get groceries.  Sometimes that changes, but not too often.  Whenever I do my cleaning, that's usually on a Mon, Tues, and Wed. morning.  I don't do much in the afternoons, as I'm getting quite tired by then.  I do my writing in the afternoon, while propping my feet up on the sofa.

So, even for those of us who don't hold down full time jobs, or who don't work at all, we still have our regular routines, at least I do.  Maybe everyone doesn't after retirement, I really don't know.
I've always been a very regimented person, I guess that's because I like schedules.  They've always helped me accomplish what I needed to get accomplished.  I'm also a 'list' person.  I truly don't 'fly by the seat of my pants' very well.  I've always been detailed and I've always liked getting things done quickly.  I was never and am not now, a procrastinator. 

My husband and I were just sitting here trying to figure out if Walker, Texas Ranger was on television before or after the Matlock series was on.  I checked on the Internet and Matlock was on first; Walker followed in 1993.  I find we often ask each others questions about the old television shows.  Maybe that's what old folks, like us, do from time to time.  Who knows?

I still like to watch the old sit-coms like:  Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days, I Love Lucy, and many more.  I think I Love Lucy is my all time favorite show.  I think, as a comedian, she was in the top of her field.  When I go up to my bedroom in the evening, I usually watch television for a short period of time.  I like watching the old comedy sit-coms.  They're all re-runs, but comedies relax me so much more than dramas or cops and lawyers show.  Besides, I just love the old comedies because they just don't make them like that anymore.

Maybe later today, I'll get a chance to work on my novel once again.  I don't have much to go now and I'm excited about completing it.  I think I'll probably have about three hundred and fifty pages by the time I'm finished it. 

So, whatever you're going to be doing to finish out your weekend, I do hope you've found some spare time for yourself.  We all need that.  My husband has started going to the Mall to walk.  He can use the exercise, since he doesn't really get much through the winter months.  He walks by himself, so it also gives him time for himself. 

Try to get a good nights sleep tonight before heading off to another week of work and have a wonderful and healthy week.
Susan

I'm Promoting My Books!

Hi all,

Just a note to let you all know that I'm having a free promotion on two of my books. 

"Sassy" With a Capital "S"  (adult novel)
and
"Congestive Heart Failure:  Changing Lives"

They will be up for promotion on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9 & 10  (this weekend)
They can be accessed by going to:  http://www.amazon.com/susanlappmellott

You can read them on a Kindle, PC or I-pod.

Thanks,
Susan

I'm Moving Right Along!

Hi all,

Are you finding that you're completing your projects, or are you just lagging behind?  Well, I'm moving forward, and that's a good thing.  I've started quilting my tree wrap and it's coming along.  I've just finished page 315 of my current novel.  It's called 'Crafty-Cruise' With A Capital 'C'.  I figure I will have about twenty five more pages to go and then I'll be able to start proofing it.  My goal was to have it published by the end of March, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to meet that goal.  Oh well, it's not a big deal if I it takes me a few weeks longer.  I love writing and being creative.

I was in my craft room earlier this week trying a way to make your own Washi Tape.  Expense wise, I'd say it's just as cheap to just buy it, but I love trying new things.  I definitely have to get back up there and finish my handmade greeting cards.  I still have Halloween and Thanksgiving cards to create , and I have to make a few 'Thinking of You' and 'Get Well' cards. 

Today one of my girlfriends and I got together so I could help her to start a Vintage Hanky-Panky Quilt.  Back in 2005, I made quite a few of them and I sold them.  I also made one for each of my daughters, one for a friend as a gift and one for myself. 

They are about 25" x 27" in size and I have mine hanging on an antique wooden rack in my living room.  It took us approximately an hour and a half to cut the hankies and lay them on the base piece.  We then had to pin them all down.  I think hers will be beautiful after she hand stitches all the hanky pieces to the backing.  I'm anxious to see it as she progresses.  She was very excited about going home and starting on the stitching.  My wonderful husband then treated the both of us to lunch.

So, as you can see, I've been keeping busy.  I also finished up my house cleaning this week as well as do all the usual tasks a woman has to do.  You know:  laundry, cooking, food shopping, cleaning and other things.  Of course, I'm old and don't have any children to drive around and clean up after, so I'm sure you may have a lot more to do than I do. 

I think I do okay for myself, considering that I suffer from Chronic Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiomyopthy and a very weak heart.  I have very little energy, but I truly am not complaining.  I feel very blessed to still be living.  I try to live every day of my life with:  Gratitude and Acceptance to God.  How about you?  It sure has made my file easier to accept.

Well, tomorrow is Friday and you know that means: the weekend is on it's way.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.  Let me remind you, that if your weekend is going to be very busy, take at least thirty minutes each day just for yourself.  You need it!
Susan

I'm Happy If You're Happy!

Hi all,

Have you ever stopped to think what makes you happy?  I was just thinking about that very subject.  I always say that I'm a very 'simple' person and I am.  It doesn't really take much to make me happy.  Today what's making me happy is the fact that 273 people have taken advantage of my free promotions on my books.  I will be promoting two of them again next weekend, 2/9 and 2/10.  You can find them at:  www.amazon.com for Kindle or you can also read them from your PC or laptop or an I-Pod, at least that's what I was told. 

You may ask, "Why does this make you happy, when you're not making any money from it?  Well, the answer is very simple:  I don't care about the money.  I don't write books to make the money, if I do make any, that's an added bonus.  My creative abilities are my greatest gift from God, next to still being alive, that is.  I believe God wants me to give back and what greater way to do that than to promote my books for free.  If one person reads one of my books and it makes them smile, feel good or learn something about cardiovascular disease, then that makes me very happy! 

Also, promoting your books for free reading for a limited time span is a marketing tool.  The more people that read your books, the more chance there is for your name to get out there.  I'm learning more and more about Marketing oneself.  I'm not sure I want to get any more involved than I already am, but I've learned some interested facts. 

I am about ready to start quilting a tree wrap for the tree that's in my bedroom.  It goes around the base of the tree.  It's an artificial tree and no, it's not decorated for Christmas.  I spend time every evening in my bedroom before going to sleep and the only light I use is from my tree.  It helps relax me and I love seeing it all lit up.  I have the tiny white lights on it.  It's so beautiful and makes me feel comforted and at peace with my life.  What more could I ask for?

I still have some handmade greeting cards to make yet.  I'll soon get back to finishing them.  I love creating anything and I miss working on them.  But, along with all the creative things I do, I still need to find time to do laundry and clean my house.  So, that's what today was all about and tomorrow I'll finish my downstairs and wash floors.  That's the part of my life that I don't get excited about.  How about you?

They're calling for one to two inches of snow again tonight.  Whatever happens, happens.  What can we possibly do about it?  The one thing we, as humans, can not control, is the weather.  So, bring it on!  Have a great afternoon and evening and if you have snow where you live, drive carefully.
Susan

I'm promoting my books!

Hi all,

Just to let you all know that I am doing a promotion on all three of my books that I have available for Kindle (computer or Ipod) at:  www.amazon.com

"Sassy" With A Capital "S", is up for a free read on Feb. 9 and 10 and again on 2/16 and 2/17.

The Secret in The Claw Feet Box, is up for a free read on Feb. 2, 3, 4

Congestive Heart Failure:  Changing Lives, is up for a free read today, 2/3 and 2/4.

Just wanted to give you the opportunity to read them for free.  Please, at least, take the time to read the one on heart disease. 

Thanks and have a wonderful Sunday.
Susan

I See Your Smile!

Hi all,
I know you're smiling because today is Saturday and it's the weekend.  Although I'm sure for alot of you, the weekends are just as busy, if not busier, than weekdays.  I remember how it was for me when my daughters were young and still at home.  It was always running here and running there.  This one needed to go to a game and that one needed to be dropped off at her friends and the other one was going to the Mall.   Wow, am I glad that they now are the ones to do the running around on weekends, not me!  Although I have to admit, they, also are almost free of that chore.  Of my six Grandsons, only two aren't driving on their own yet.  Well, one does have his permit, so he will be driving on his own soon.  As for the other one, he will be sixteen in two months, so then he'll be up and away also. 

Wow, where did the time go?  Do you ever wonder about that?  Why does the time go so much faster when you're old and it's just you and your husband, or you alone?  Even with my sedentary life style, time just flies on by.  Why in the world is that?  I'd really love to know the answer to that question!

Yesterday was a very busy day for me, as I had the day to myself.  I actually accomplished quite a bit.  I spent about three or more hours working on writing my new novel, which is coming along quite well.  I also worked on starting my small quilted piece, which I'm going to use to wrap around the base of my artificial tree that's in my bedroom.  Then, I crocheted for over an hour.  I'm working on a sweater/shawl for myself.  Since I didn't have to make or worry about dinner (my husband was away for the day) I ate a bowl of Fiber One cereal, which was quite yummy.  I do try to get my fiber every day.  It's important to keep the body system running smoothly!

I don't know what I'll be up to today.  Probably more of the same from yesterday, only not as much of any.  Maybe I'll ask my husband to run me to the craft store.  That's about the only shopping I do anymore and not really much of that.  My husband will sometimes pick up something that I need.  He's really helpful in that regard.

What's on your schedule for the weekend?  Remember, no matter how much you have to do or how hectic your time is, set aside at least thirty minutes for yourself.  We all need that time to rejuvenate our minds and bodies.

Of course, you all know that February is Heart Month.  It has a special meaning for me, as I live every day of my life with Chronic Congestive Heart Failure.  It has to be a major part if I want to continue living, that is.  I have said so many times, but it's worth repeating, that God has truly blessed me.  He's given me so many creative talents and He's also given me Cardiovascular Disease.  I'm sure you're saying to yourself, 'She thinks that's a blessing?'  The answer to that is 'yes' I am blessed because back in 2006 I almost died, but God saw fit to let me live.  It's true the normal life I led then, no longer existed and still doesn't, but I'm still breathing and waking up every morning.  So, I AM BLESSED!  Wouldn't you say?

Please have a wonderful weekend with your families.  Stay safe and have fun!
Susan