And So It Begins Again...

Hi all,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was pretty good.  We spent Saturday and Sunday at the trailer.  It was "Winter Wonderland" weekend.  Mr. and Mrs. Claus, as well as, Judy the Elf came to visit after the Christmas supper on Saturday night.  We didn't stay the entire time, as it started getting damp and I needed to get inside.  There was so much food to eat and everything was delicious.  As usual, my husband ate too much and then felt miserable.  I didn't!

I worked on proofing my manuscript some while up there.  This will only by the first run through, so I will have at least one more read through.  If you've never proof read anything before, I have to tell you that it's very difficult to do.  You really need to read every single word out loud, otherwise you just start skimming and then you miss things.  I know most women read a book by skimming every word, but I believe that men don't .  Don't know why that is, but it seems to be the way with myself, my husband, and my friends.  This is the third novel in the series.  I'm not sure yet, whether this will be the last in the series or not.  We'll see when I finally get this one to the printers and onto Amazon for electronic reading. 

By the way, if any of you took advantage of the two books that I offered up for a free read over this past weekend, I thank you.  I hope you enjoyed them and perhaps learned something new about chronically ill people or about yourself.  The two books I offered this weekend were:  "The Day The Flowers Died" and "Living and Loving With Divine Mercy."  Both of these books were written from the bottom of my heart.  They are both nonfiction books. 

Well, for many of you tomorrow means going back to work once again.  Although I don't work anymore, tomorrow will be a work day for me, as well.  I will have laundry to do and I need to spend at last two or three hours on proof reading.  So, although I won't be leaving my home, I still do have some work to do. 

If you are a heart patient or know someone who is, you may want to check out my booklet at:
www.amazon.com on heart disease.  There's also a page, right here on my blog, concerning heart disease.  Please educate yourself because at some time, I promise you, someone you love will suffer from this debilitating disease. 

I hope you had a wonderful Sunday and didn't forget to spend some time giving praise to God today for all the many blessings He's given you.  I didn't forget!

Take care and stay safe.
Susan

Yahoo! I'm done with the first draft!

Hi all,

I just had to take the time to update my blog with my good news.  I've finally finished writing the first draft of my novel, "Train-Trekking" With A Capital "T".  It's the third in the series.  I'm so excited to finally be finished writing!

I also have to complete both the front and back covers.  It will take me some time yet, to be completely ready for it to go to the printers and to be put on Amazon for electronic reading, but I'm on my way.  Yahoo!

As today starts on its downward swing, you all know that tomorrow is Friday.  I'm sure many of you are looking forward to finishing up the work week.  Weekends are just too short, aren't they?  I'm sure you all feel that way, too.  Actually, it really doesn't matter to me anymore if it's a week day or a weekend.  I remember when I was still working how I used to think it would be so good when I could retire.  I have to say to you:  "Don't hurry your life away!  It will come soon enough, actually, all too soon.  Unfortunately, by that time, many of us do not have our health any more."

I'm not going to make this very long tonight, because I've been on the computer quite a bit today and I need to give my eyes a rest.  I'll catch up later!

Enjoy your Friday and stay safe.
Susan

Have you tried anything new lately?

Hi all,

Today's September 24th already.  Before we know it, it will be October.  The leaves will all be falling off the trees, the grass will stop growing and be turning brown, and winter will be blowing in with full force!  Yuck!!!!  The good thing is that it won't happen for a couple of weeks yet, so don't yell at me to be quiet.

What I hate about the winter is that there are no beautiful colors decorating this earth.  Everything is brown and baron.  Well, except when it snows.  Then everything turns beautifully white and as the sun shines on the snow it sparkles brightly.  It's beautiful!

To address the title of today's blog, I was wandering if you've tried doing anything new and creative lately?  With winter coming, it will eliminate many of the outside activities for most of us.  Perhaps you could try learning to knit, crochet, sew, draw, write, woodworking, refinishing wooden pieces, etc.  There simply is so many different things one can do over the winter months.  How about getting out an old fashioned puzzle and letting it become a family activity.

First, I would suggest that before you start anything new, educate yourself on the proper way to do that activity.  There are many free webinars on the Internet you could take.  Also, there are many classes offered both on the Internet and in local schools where you can learn a new activity. 

There's always something new to be learned!  My Mother used to say, "If you're going to do something, do it right!"  That means to do it to the  best of your ability.  It doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be the best you can.  I promise you, that will be good enough!

As for me, I'm still writing and I'll continue doing it as long as God lets me live.  I do not write for other people, I write for myself.  I've been working on my current novel and I will soon be completing it.  Then the proof-reading will commence.  That's the part I hate.  It's extremely hard to proof read a manuscript because I start out reading each word, but end up scanning the page.  It just happens without me realizing it.

While I was in Ocean City I took many, many photos of the ocean and the sky.  At some point, I would like to sketch or paint some of them.  I also love using chalks to create paintings.  Hopefully, this winter I will get that chance.  At least, I'm going to try to make the time. 

My new novel is called, "Train-Trekking" With A Capital "T" and I hope to have it published by the end of the year.  It will be available then, for electronic reading (Kindle, PC, laptop, tablet, Ipad, Ipod, cell phone, etc.) at www.amazon.com. 

The first in this series is called:  "Sassy" With a Capital "S"
The second in the series is called:  "Crafty-Cruise" With A Capital "C"
They are both available on Amazon for the above electronic readers.  Once you pull up Amazon, enter my full name into the search space and click to search.  All thirteen of my books will come up.  Some of the other ones are adult short stories and the rest are children's books.  I hope you'll check them out, either for yourself or for your child or grandchildren.

If you haven't checked out the borrowing program on Amazon, please check it out.  It will allow you to just borrow the book instead of purchasing it.  Check it out!

I hope your day is going well.  Tomorrow, as you all know, is "hump" day.  I hope you'll get some time to make quality time for you and your family.  That's so very important for the family unit.  I realize that today, time is not always available for families to spend time alone.  But, please try to make this a top priority, because it's so very important to all of us.

Have a great day and stay safe always!  Please pray for peace in this world!
Susan

All good things must end...

Hi all,

Well, we have returned back home after spending two glorious and relaxing weeks at Ocean City, MD.  I had a very relaxing time and I spent so much of my time taking absolutely beautiful photos of the sky over the ocean.  My husband and I would sit out on our terrace for a while every afternoon and evening, just people watching and enjoying the sights. 

Gerry fished every morning and he, apparently had a great time.  The same fellows would be over there every morning, some were fishing and some were just gabbing.  He'd get over there about 8:00 am and come back a bit after 12:00 noon.  I'm so happy he enjoyed himself so much. 

It's always so good to get away for a time, but I have to say, it was good to get home yesterday, too.  Some times I'm amazed at just how much like my Dad I am.  He was always a bit of a home body.  Oh, he'd go away, but he couldn't wait to get home, either. 

Actually, I'm sort of happy to realize,  as I got older, that I am so much like my Dad.  Since I was young, I always thought I was my Mom, out and out!  She was so creative and such a good cook.  She was, also, always trying new things.  She was always open to new ideas and challenges.  I so admired her, and I still do. 

So, as you can imagine, I miss both my Mom and Dad so much.  The two of them taught me, and my siblings, so much.  Sometimes it's so hard for me to believe that Mom's been gone seventeen years and Dad fourteen. 

How about you?  Are your parents still living, or have they, also, passed away?  I suppose many of you who are senior citizens, have already lost your parents.  If so, then you know how I feel.  I don't think I'll ever get over their deaths.  When you grow up in a great family, with wonderful parents, you just assume they'll always be there with you. 

Then, one day, you realize that you're now an orphan.  That's how I felt after my Dad passed away.  Mom was already gone and I recall saying to myself, "I'm an orphan now!"  I was fifty-one years old at the time.  For the first time in my life, I did not have one of my parents to turn to if I needed them.  I felt so lost! 

Well, that's enough of this conversation.  How was your weekend?  Did you do anything exciting?  We arrived home yesterday about 1:05pm, and I really didn't do too much the rest of the day.  It took me a while to put everything away and then I just rested and watched television.  This morning I did two loads of laundry so I wouldn't have so much to do tomorrow, but other then that, my day was very uneventful.  I did watch the Mass on EWTN.  Today's Mass was being held from Italy and the Pope was the celebrant.  It was very nice, although I didn't understand a lot of it, since it was mostly in Italian and Latin. 

Well, I suppose I'll close for now.  Tomorrow I'm hopping to get back to writing my novel, "Train-Trekking" With A Capital "T".  I do so much enjoy spending time on my writing.    I'm going to post a few of the photos I took while in OC.

If you get a chance, stop over at  www.amazon.com, and check out the thirteen books I have for sale for electronic readers.  You can read them on a laptop, PC, Kindle, any reader, or electronic device.  Just enter my full name in the search block and they will come up.

Stay safe and have a great Monday.
Susan

And so it ends...

Hi all,

How's everyone doing this fine Friday?  The weekend is upon us, so I'm sure that will make many of you very happy.  As for me, I have mixed feelings about Saturday's approach.  We will be heading home tomorrow morning.  I will so miss see the beautiful skies out over the ocean, both when I first get up, anytime of the day, but especially as the sun is going down.  But, I'm not really sad to be going home, as we've had two beautiful weeks here in Ocean City, MD.  I thank God for all the beauty He's put right in front of me.  I remember when we used to only stay for one week, how on the day we'd go home, I'd feel so sad.  But staying two weeks, I don't feel that way anymore.  I'm actually, kind of looking forward to being back in my home, my safe place.

The weather's been beautiful the entire time we've been here, although it got a bit warm a few days the first week and a bit chilly a few days the second week.  But, I'm not complaining, not at all!  As every other morning, my husband is fishing today.  This will be his last day to fish.  I believe he's really enjoyed himself, so much. 

What's on your schedule for this weekend?  I'm sure for many of you, it will be a full weekend, what with family activities, running kids around, doing chores, etc.  For me, I don't plan on doing much after I put everything away when we return home.  Perhaps I'll do a load of bed clothes.  Here at the condo, we have a washer and dryer, so I've kept up with all the laundry as time went by. 

I've been working on my current novel a bit while here in OC.  But, when I get home, I need to really get it finished.  I'm currently on page 432, so I'm starting to approach the end.  It's called, "Train-Trekking" With A Capital "T".  I'm so excited to be soon finished it, that I'm getting antsy.  I love writing, as well as, creating anything.  I feel so blessed by God to be given this wonderful fulfilling ability.  I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't be creative!  Thank you, Lord, for my amazing gift!

Well, I'm going to cut this short, as my Internet reception here isn't the best.  I do hope you all have a great weekend and stay safe...
Susan

Going With The Tide...

Hi all,

How is everyone on this fine Monday afternoon?  I know that many of you are working today, but I still hope that everyone is doing well.  With the weekend behind us now, we can, once again, settle into our usual weekday routines.  I find, that even though I'm not holding down a job anymore, I still like to stick to my usual Monday through Friday routine.  Although I have to say that I have ventured away from my Monday routine a bit, as I usually do laundry on Mondays, but I did it yesterday.

We're still in Ocean City, MD and we're having a very nice, relaxing time.  Gerry goes fishing every morning from about 8:00 am until lunch time.  We chose to stay here at the condo this afternoon, as it's very cloudy outside and threatening rain.  There really wasn't anything I wanted to do, anyways.
We are meeting up with Gerry's Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim for dinner tonight.  I haven't seen them since last year at this same time, so it will be nice to spend some time with them once again.

I truly enjoy my mornings here, even though I'm alone.  I spend a lot of time alone when we're home, so I'm used to the solitude.  This morning I spent about an hour and one half on my current, in-progress novel, "Train-Trekking" With A Capital "T".  It's moving along nicely.  I already have over 400 pages in it, but it soon will be coming to an end.  I'm very excited about this one, as it contains some paranormal activity in it.  I hope that when it gets published, you'll purchase it for electronic reading or purchase one of the hard copies from me.  I will only be having about 50 hard copies printed.  So, if you'd like to purchase one, please let me know, so I can make sure I put a copy away for you. 

The weather has been perfect here at the beach.  Even with today's weather not being very nice, I don't mind at all.  It certainly feels like fall is on it's way today.  I definitely won't be unhappy to see it arrive.  I'm so done with the hot and humid weather that we endured this Summer.  But, I wouldn't want to live any place else, because I really enjoy the change of the seasons.  I truly don't believe it would feel like the Christmas Holidays without the cold and snowy weather.  It's hard to believe, but Christmas will be here before we know it.  It's only about 3 months and 10 days away!  I can't wait.  It's definitely my very favorite time of year.

Well, enough about Christmas, at least for now.  We will still be having some nice warm days before the winter sets in for good.  I hope you get the chance to get out and enjoy some of them.  I see that this coming weekend is to be a little warmer, so don't waste the chance to get out of doors.

How are you all coming with your creativity?  Yes, I know that you can be creative, if you choose to be.  Come on!  Get moving and create something.  How about a wonderful home made cake for dinner tonight, or some steaks on the grill.  It takes some creativity to grill the perfect steak without burning it and it surely takes some creativity to make a icing the perfect cake! 

Well, I'm going to close for now, so be safe and have some fun tonight!
Susan

What's your choice to do to enjoy yourself?

Hi all,

This would be my idea of happiness and enjoying myself!  I love to be able to sit and watch the sky out over the ocean, just as dusk is starting to occur.  The sky presents itself in so much splendor.  I look out over the ocean and I see God everywhere!  His beauty surrounds me.  How could I possibly ask to have more happiness than that?  I simply couldn't!

There are so many little things that make me happy.  Waking up to a new day each morning brings pure joy to my life.  Before I became chronically ill, I took pleasure in the big things:  spending time with my entire family, going to parties with all my friends, going to the movies, going on picnics, going on trips with a lot of sightseeing, shopping, and so much more.

Now, the things that bring me joy are the simple things:  spending time with my husband, even if it is only sitting and watching television, talking to my daughters on the telephone, occasionally getting to visit with my friends, having a small dish of ice cream for dessert, all of these and many, many more little things.  Especially looking up at the sky.  Why is it that we never notice all the beauty right up there, every single day for us to see.  We let ourselves become so preoccupied with things, that we just never take the time to stop and look up!  God gave all this to us and we rarely ever notice it.  Why is it that we obsess over jobs, kids, friends, shopping, etc., but never stop to obsess over the beauty of this earth?  Hey, I was just as guilty as everyone else for the better part of my life. 

It's funny how once you're diagnosed with a chronic incurable illness, your whole life changes.  All those things that used to matter to you, simply don't matter anymore.  You look at life so differently now, knowing that perhaps your life will be cut shorter than you thought.  You don't take things for granted anymore.  But mostly, you thank God every day for each day He allows to to wake up and live. 

My husband and I are in Ocean City right now.  We love coming down here.  He so enjoys the fishing and I enjoy doing whatever little things I do.  I'm still working on my current novel, which is the third in the series.  I'm already on page 405, so it's going to be a bit longer than the other two.  I enjoyed writing the first and second in the series, but I am enjoying this one so much more.  I've included some of the paranormal in it and I've always had a strong interest in those things.  Besides that, the group of friends are on a twenty five day trip across the US by train.  I can't wait for it to be complete. 

You can read any of the thirteen books I currently have available, by going to:  www.amazon.com and inserting my name (Susan Lapp Mellott) into the search space at the top of the page.  All thirteen of my books will be available for electronic reading on any electronic device, or for borrowing.  You will need to join the program in order to borrow books.  I hope you'll check them out.  I do still have about fifteen copies of:  "Crafty-Cruise" With A Capital "C" left for sale, if you're interested.  They are $11.00 each, plus shipping.  Just let me know and I'll mail a copy to you.

Writing allows me to give back to God for all the blessings He's bestowed upon me.  He has truly blessed me with great creative abilities all of my life and for that, I will always be so grateful.  Because of my health problems, I lead a sedentary lifestyle and so I am not able to do any type of volunteer work or any other type of work.  So, I do whatever I am able to do to praise God.  Thus, I write, draw, needle work, and many other things.  I am so truly blessed!

Have a great weekend and stay safe always.
Susan

What a beautiful morning it is!

Hi all,

Well, it's good old Monday morning, once again.  That means back to work for a lot of you and for the rest of you, I'm sure if you're like me, you have your usual routine.  I'm doing some laundry right now, which is a Monday monring chore, always. 

How was your weekend?  Mine was great.  Did you get to accomplish anything special?  I didn't, I'm sorry to say.  But, starting today, it's going to be different.  I don't believe in wasting a single day of my life.  One never knows how long or short one's life will be, now does one?  So, try not to waste your's. 

I don't have a bucket list, but I do have goals for myself.  I firmly believe that we all should have some goals set for ourselves.  I know that when you're still raising children, it's harder to achieve those goals, but make them anyways.  On of my goals is to complete my third adult novel by the end of the year.  Time's a slipping away!  I need to get a move on if I'm going to meet that goal.

I believe that as we get older, we need to have some goals so that we allow our brains to continue functioning properly.  We older folks, often fall into a habit of not working our brains.  We really can not allow that to happen.  It's so important for us to work the brain so it continues to function in its fullest capacity. 

Okay, you say, how can I do that?  Well, one way is to work a part time job.  Working even fifteen hours a week, keeps the brain on a schedule.  Your memory has to support your job.  If you really don't want to work, then you need to do something.  How about getting a crossword puzzle book, or any other memory game book.  That definately will help to keep your brain active.  Or, get out those oldies but goodies and play them often.  Make yourself sing along with the artist, making sure you are singing the correct words.  That, too, will enhance your brain. 

Another way would be to do something artistic:  write, draw, paint, bake, cook, plant a garden, anything at all!   How about purposly helping your children every day with their homework.  Not just for their sakes, but for your brain.  It's important that you remember those things you learned in school.  How about watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy on television every week night.  That will surely spur your brain on to being healthy. 

Okay, that's enough of a lecture from me.  I hope your day goes well, and you stay safe.
Susan

Wonderful! Wonderful!

Hi all,

How's your week going?  What I think is wonderful, is the change in the weather.  I wish it would stay this way.  I really like it when I have to put a light sweater on in the morning and evenings, but not throughout the day. 

I'm sure all of you who are working full time jobs, are very happy that this is a short week, being Monday was a holiday.  It's too bad every week isn't a four day week, but then, although we'd like only working four days a week, we like the pay for a five day week. 

I know that when you're younger and raising a family, it seems like you'll never be old enough to retire.  Everyone builds up those years as the Golden Years.  Well, I'm here to tell you that they're not all so golden.  Along with getting older and becoming a senior citizen, the body starts breaking down.  Your health suffers many illnesses and most times, it's quite serious.  I realize that people are living longer than ever these days, but that doesn't stop the body from becoming very frail.  Even your teeth start breaking, cracking, need to be pulled, and so on. 

I've spent approximately $2000. on my mouth in the last two years.  Tell me, what about that makes my age the 'golden years?'  As far as I can see, absolutely nothing!  Then of course, it's all the things that go wrong with your health:  you get arthritis and you can't move very well anymore, not to mention all the pain, you need replacement knees, shoulders, hips, etc., you get diabetes, heart disease, lung problems, etc.  I could go on and on...  I truly believe that the only thing that classifies as the golden years, is that hopefully you don't sweat the small things anymore.

At least, I don't!  I simply don't care if my house is a bit dusty, if there's a bit of dirt on the floor, if I choose to eat cereal for dinner, what I wear (as long as I'm clean and tidy), if I go without makeup (who really cares, anyways), if I don't run with the crowd anymore, etc.  I don't worry about all the small stuff anymore.  It's just not worth it.  Why would I want to spend precious hours of my day, worrying about whether this person or that person likes me, whether someone will think my shoes are old, whether I'm dressed nicely to run to the store, and on and on...

When I was much younger and in good health, I did worry about all of the above.  I used to worry about what other people thought of me, but I really don't care anymore.  If someone doesn't like me because of the clothes I wear, my house isn't spotless, I can't attend a lot of activities, etc, then they truly are not my friends.  I now live every day of my life, one day at a time.  I've completely accepted my life and my health the way it is.  There's nothing I can do to change things, so why waste my time every day, worrying and depressing myself about things I can't change. 

I choose to live every day giving Gratitude and Acceptance to God.  I've embraced all my health problems, and I am extremely proactive about my own body.  No-one and I mean, no one, talks me into doing something or makes me feel guilty about not doing something, anymore.

I know what my body's requirements are and I choose life, for as long as God allows me to remain here on this earth.  So what if my ability to run around, go here and there all the time, do evening activities, and the like, doesn't allow me to do those things anymore.  I'm still alive!  I still wake up every morning and have another chance to love my family, extended family and friends.  I have another day to give praise to God.  There is nothing else I need! 

Well, to change the subject, what's up for your weekend?  Now that the pools are closed and school's back in session, things will be different.  Whatever you do, I hope you have some fun and stay safe.
Susan

Happy Labor Day!

Hi all,

How's everyone today?  Today marks the end of a few things to most of us here in the United States.  Of course, it is Labor Day, so we celebrate that holiday.  All the public pools will be closing at the end of the day.  Many people will be putting away their tents, campers, etc. after today.  School has now restarted for our children, both young and old.  And, parents will now have to get back into the swing of running kids around all the time.  You know:  basketball games, football games, track, dances, plays, clubs, get-to-gather with friends, and many more activities.  I'm sure most of you parents with school aged children, have already had a back-to-school night.  You've met your child's teachers and perhaps the principle.  Now you just have to pray that the school officials can keep them safe.  Well, with God's help, they will. 

What is wrong with the world we live in today, that we have to consider the chance of our children getting gunned down while in school?  This, of course, includes grade school, high school and college.  I truly just don't understand what is happening to people today.  Do they have so little love for themselves that they're willing to do something horrendous to hurt other people, then they either kill themselves, go to jail for life, or receive the death penalty? 

So well I remember the days of my youth.  Oh sure, there were some petty robberies and the like, but people didn't walk around with concealed guns, knives or any other weapon.  We did lock our doors at night, because that was the sensible thing to do back then.  Even this petty stuff that occurs today, didn't happen so much back then.  Things like:  taking a key and scratching some one's car; breaking into some one's car and stealing a bit of change; purposely destroying some one's porch furniture; stealing the baby Jesus from a Christmas display; and on and on! 

Do you ever ask yourself "why"?  Why is this all happening?  I can't really give you an answer, except to say that I see that so many of our youth, today, seem to have a chip on their shoulders.  They believe they have an entitlement coming to them.  They show no respect to anyone, much less their elders.  They also show no respect for the home in which they live. 

But, this last thing isn't just the young people.  Many older folks have no respect for their homes, especially if they are renting, but not just renters.   And, certainly, not all renters.  I know people who rent and they take care of their homes.  I see people throw down trash everywhere.  Weren't they taught not to throw their trash down, to keep it until they could dispose of it in a wastepaper can? 

There definitely seems to be a big lack of respect in many people today, and I'm not just speaking about children and teens.  People walk on other peoples private property and think nothing of it.  It's not just walking sometimes, it destroying their property as they walk.  They just seem to think that it's okay to be so disrespectful of other's property. 

I remember when my three girls were very young.  I'd put one in the stroller and the other two would walk by my side as we went for a walk.  Some times one of them would get off the pavement onto someone else's grass.  I'd immediately scold them to get back on the side walk.  Telling them that we don't walk on someone else's property. 

Don't get me wrong.  I know it's not all children, teens, or even adults.  As much as I love and respect my six Grandsons, I do know that they're not perfect.  They're normal kids and they do get themselves into a bit of trouble once and awhile.  But, I know for a fact, that my Daughters and their husbands raised them to respect other people and other's property. 

There are some renters who live right across the street from me, who are always sweeping off their porch.  They keep the property they rent clean.  That's taking pride in your home, whether it's a rental or you're buying it.  Whatever happened to the saying:  There's no place like home!  When I think of that saying, I think of the place where I live.  The place where I feel safe and secure.  The place that I keep fairly clean and tidy.  The place I love! 

How about you?  I'm sure very many of you feel the same way I do about your home, whether you're buying it or renting.  It's the other people, I simply don't understand and I suppose I never will.

I do hope you have a wonderful Labor Day, whatever you'll be doing today.  Stay safe and if you're with family, appreciate one another.  We just never know if we'll see them again!
Susan