Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Are you too busy?

Hi all,

How's everyone doing today?  First of all, let me say, "Happy Hump Day." 

There was a post on FB this morning that caught my attention.  So, let me ask you, "Are you too busy?"  Now, you may be asking, "Am I too busy for what?"

Well, the answer to that is, anything?  Do you clutter your days, weeks and months with unneeded chores, activities, running around and staying busy just because you feel you need to?  I'm sure that many of you, if you're truthful, will answer that question with an affirmative answer. 

I definitely used to be just like that.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I was a very busy woman.  I worked a full time job, had three daughters to raise, a huge house to keep clean, meals to cook, laundry to do.  I also had a Brownie Girl Scout Troop, and I was on the school board.  I socialized with my friends as often as time allowed.  But, I was constantly running around.  I was always busy doing something.

After some counseling, what I discovered was that I made my life that way because if I stayed busy all the time, I didn't have to deal with all the unpleasant things that were going on in my life.  When my counsellor first pointed that out to me, I was in denial.  As time went by, I realized that she was correct. 

It was very hard for me to slow down and take some time for myself.  Time to think about everything that was going on in my life, to think about all the things that were occurring in my marriage.  I truly believed that acknowledging them wouldn't really help.  Of course, that's just ridiculous!

If you keep yourself overly busy, perhaps you need to stop and try to figure out just why you do that.  What are the truly important things in your life?  Mine would be:  my husband, my immediate family, my love for God and my spiritual soul.  All the rest of the things that go on around me, are just that:  things!  Oh sure, we need to go to work to earn the money to pay our bills.  So, that's important, but it's not worth obsessing over.  And, it's certainly not worth becoming anxious and unnerved about. 
If your job is hectic and stressful (which many jobs are), when you leave your place of employment for the day, leave the stress and anxiety there!  Don't bring it home with you.  It's not fair to you, your family or anyone else.  Your employer doesn't pay you when you're on your own time.  Don't give them that power!

If you volunteer to help, every time someone asks you to, stop it!  Don't let another person put a guilt trip on you when you know you either don't want to do something, or you already have enough to do.  If it's a friend and they get upset with you, give them a day or two and it will pass (if they really are your friend). 

I know it's especially hard for women to make time for themselves.  But, you simply have to do just that.  We all make time to do something that some one else wants us to do, but do we make time, daily,  to spend ten minutes talking with God? 

So today, let me ask you to slow down.  Eliminate some of the activities that line your schedule for the next ten days.  If there's something that you can get out of doing, call and free up that time for yourself.  Believe me, it will feel strange to you, but go for it anyways.  It's healthy and definitely will improve your disposition.  Best of luck to you.  Do it for yourself.  After all, how much help will you be to your children, husband, friends, school, work place, etc., if you're hospitalized or if you pass away from a heart attack?

Have a carefree day!
Susan


Friday, January 24, 2014

What's important to you?

Hi all,

How's everyone doing on this Friday evening?  I do hope you are all in good health and looking forward to a fabulous weekend.  I know that for all you younger people, who still are holding down full time jobs, you live for the weekends.  How well I remember those days,  even though I still had house work, laundry and running the kids around over the weekends.

As for me, I no longer hold down a job, so one day is pretty much the same as the next.  Since most of my days are very sedentary, I don't do any physical things, no matter what day of the week it is.  I do like that my husband is around a little more on the weekends than through the week, as he's still working part-time hours for Triangle Fire Protection Co.  He works from home, in the home office they set up for him, which makes it nice that he doesn't have to make the hour long drive anymore.  I have to chuckle because when he comes down from his office, he says, "I'm home!".  When in fact, he never left home in the first place!

I guess you're wandering about the title to today's blog.  Well, what I'm wandering is what is important to you?  I suppose some of your answers would depend on your age, whether you still have children living at home, whether you work or not and in general, just how busy your daily life is.  I remember how little time I used to have for myself.  You know, back when my girls were still in school and I still worked a full time job. 

Some times it's hard for me to remember those days.  That time seems like a very long time ago to me.  I was always running between work, girl scouts, basketball games, picking up and dropping my daughters up at sports practices or dance classes.  There just was very little time left over because I still had to clean, do laundry and cook. 

Now, my life is so very different.  I don't usually get up until 8:15/8:30 in the morning.  My health requires that I get about ten hours of sleep per night.  After I get up, I fix myself a light breakfast and a cup of coffee.  I eat while I read whatever novel I'm currently into.  If I am doing laundry, I start that before I eat my breakfast.  Then about 9:15 or so, I go upstairs, check my emails, FB and this blog.  After that I dress and spend a little time either working on my writing, hand-made creating cards or whatever project I have going at the time.  By then it's lunch time and time to watch the local news and weather.  Of course, I then relax to watch "Days of Our Lives" on television.  I've been watching that soap, off and on, since the 80's.  (That's a long time!)

The rest of my day is spend doing mostly sitting-down things, because by then I'm pretty tired out.  I do fix dinner for my husband and myself later in the afternoon.  Exciting day isn't it?  Maybe not in your eyes, but I'm still alive and I'm grateful for that at all times. 

To answer my own question, what's important to me is that I "pay it forward" in any way I can, for all the many blessings that God has bestowed upon me.  By rights, I should have died eight years ago, but He wasn't finished with me yet.  So, I need to try to help others through my writing and cards. 

How about you?  In what way do you give back for all the blessings God's bestowed upon you?  I saw the kindness of many people during the Christmas season this year.  Why does it just seem that the only time people do those things is during the Christmas holidays?  That's very sad to me.  The love and joy that we express during that time of year, should be given every day of the year.  Am I wrong?  I truly don't think so.

So, what is important to you?  What's going on in your life that makes you happy?  What makes you feel fulfilled as a person?  What is it that you do that you feel makes you feel good about yourself?  Please take some time to think about these things.  Every one of us need to do something that lets us feeling good about the kind of person we've become. 

Best of luck to each and every one of you.  You are important, just as I am.

Just a reminder:  My newest novel, "Train-Trekking" With a Capital "T" is available for electronic reading now.  You can go to www.amazon.com , then enter my full name in the search block and click.  All of my books and booklets will come up.  I'm very proud of this newest novel.  I stepped out of my comfort zone a bit while writing this one.  I've always been very interested in Paranormal Activity, so I decided to add some to this novel, along with a paranormal mystery.  Check it out.
Susan
Susan

Monday, January 20, 2014

Exciting news for me!

Hi all,

I received some good and exciting news today.  I had a telephone call from the owner of Irvin's Book Store, here in York.  They have set me up for a New Release and Book Signing Party towards the end of  February.  I am so pleased and a bit nervous about it.  This will be the first time I've ever done anything like this. 

I never think of myself as a published author, although that's what I am.  It simply seems like a dream come true for me.  All I'm doing, is doing what I love to do.  But, I do have a need to give back for all the creative abilities God has blessed me with all my life. 

I contacted a lady from the newspaper about running another story on me next month, before the book signing.  I hope a get an affirmative reply from her.  Time will tell!  I am asking my family and friends for support by maybe talking to their friends about stopping in on that day, perhaps purchase a copy of my book.  Hopefully that will also bring some new customers to Irvin's Books.

Currently, I am not working on any new writing piece.  I do have something in mind though.  Perhaps I will start that in a few weeks.  Currently, I am working on my hand-made greeting cards for this year.  I like to design special cards for my immediate family, for each holiday, including Thanksgiving.  Then, I will do some all occasion cards.   I will create my Christmas cards later in the year. 

I've learned so many new designs and styles that I enjoy trying.  The problem with some of them is that they take so long to create.  As of today, I've finished my Valentine's Day, Easter and Red Hat ladies cards.  Next, I have to start on my Grandson's birthday cards.  Maybe I'll start them tomorrow.  We'll see how things go...

We had a great weekend.  On Saturday, my Red Hat group came to my home for a craft project and lunch.  We hand embroidered a Valentine's Day gift for our husbands.  Everyone did great and all the  presents turned out great.  As for lunch, I prepared two separate warm dips.  One was a Pizza Dip, which I saw on FB and the other was a dip using salsa.  Both were terrific.  I served them hot with slices of thin and crispy pizza crust and tortillas.  Everyone said how good the dips were and they were anxious to try them, also. 

On Sunday, my husband and I went to my oldest daughters home for a Tastefully Simply Couples party.  Four of my red hatters and their husbands, also attended.  The TS demonstrator was my youngest daughter, who has been in TS for over ten years.  She's done very well for herself, working her business into a full time job.  I'm proud of the dedication she puts into her business. 

I have to say that I am very proud of all three of my daughters.  They are all strong, independent woman, hard workers and great wives and mothers.  I love the three of them and their families so much.  Again, let me say how much God has blessed me all of my life. 

What have you been up to lately?  Have you been doing anything creative?  Can you believe that today is already, Jan. 20th?  Before you know it, we will be through January.  Time truly does fly, doesn't it? 

I suppose for those of you who work full time jobs, that today was a very busy day.  How well I remember those days, and I have to say that I don't miss those days at all.    I suppose that's a part of growing old!  Go figure...

Good thoughts to all of you for a great day tomorrow.  Be safe and if you're in this area of PA, drive carefully, as we are to have between four and eight inches of snow tomorrow! 
Sue

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Happiness, what is it?

Hi all,

I've been thinking alot about the different ways people look for happiness.  I think that some of the problems that we face today, are because of the way many people go about finding happiness.  For instance, some think that unless you have a lot of money, you can't be happy.  Or, that if you don't live in the best section of town, or if you don't drive a fairly new car, that you must not be happy. 

I think that's why some people do the bad things they do.  I believe they think that by robbing a store of some expensive electronic devices or hitting a mini market for the cash, will make them happy.  Actually, if you stop to think about it, the only thing it will get them is a stay in jail and a permanent arrest record.  Where's the happiness in that? 

Another way that I think people try to find happiness is by "putting up a front" for everyone else.  They think that if they make other people think that they have money, a spectacular house, a fancy car or all the finest things that life has to offer, that they will be happy.  I can guarantee you that they won't find any happiness in that, either.  Pretending to be someone that you're not never gives you anything, except sorrow. 

This subject has been on my mind a lot lately.  I'm an old woman, but one thing I've learned is that no
one finds happiness in any of the above ways.  Happiness comes from inside you, not by exterior circumstances or things.  I'm quite sure that there are many extremely rich people in this world, who are still not completely happy.  They have every thing money can buy them, but there is no happiness or contentment in their hearts.  I think that's sad!

I truly believe that you can not have complete happiness unless you live every single day of your life giving gratitude and acceptance to God.  I'm sure many of you will ask, "Why should I just accept my life the way it is?  Why shouldn't I want more?" 

What I believe is this:  If you give gratitude and acceptance to God daily, it doesn't mean that you still can't try to improve yourself.  When you accept the things in your life just the way they are, especially those things you can't do anything about anyways, you can and will accomplish good things.

I am so grateful for all the blessings that God's given to me.  I have a roof over my head, enough to eat, heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, enough money to pay all our bills, a wonderful family and friends,  a loving husband who supports me and can do a few fun things in our spare time.
Those are all blessings from God.  I also have Chronic Congestive Heart Failure, Arthritis, H-V Block, and a few other diseases to content with, but I am alive!  I am blessed! 

So, I am happy.  I am contented with my life just the way it is.  I don't sit alone feeling sorry for myself or asking, "why me?"  I want to live every single minute of the life God's given me as best as I can.  That's why I write by books, both fiction and non-fiction.  And, that's why I make hand made greeting cards.  I feel God wants me to use my talents to give back the many blessings He's bestowed on me.  That's why I write this blog.

How about you?  Are you happy in your life?  If not, why don't you try my formula.  It's simple, just thank God daily, for all the good things you have in your life.  Next, accept your life the way it is.  Don't torture yourself by hating the way you live.  Turn to God for support and praise Him always.

I can tell you that I haven't always lived my life this way.  I suppose, like everyone else, I had to learn the hard way.  It took me a long time, but I've finally gotten there.  My heart is filled with happiness and contentment.  Will I live to be a very old woman, probably not.  I already know that, but I'm okay with it.  I try to make every day count.  Remember, we never know which day will be our last!

Please take some time to think about all I've said.  It certainly can't hurt, now can it?  Good luck and God be with you.
Susan

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Happy Sunday!

Hi everyone,

First of all let me wish you a blessed and pleasant Sunday.  Please make sure you honor God in some way today.  I know I will.

Well, my latest novels have arrived from the printers and I have to say I am so excited about them.  I can't tell you how good it feels to see something that I've worked on so long and hard, to finally come together in book form.  I only have a limited supply, so if you'd like to purchase one, please let me know as soon as possible.  They are $14. each.
 
 
 
How is your winter going for you?  Of course, if you live in an area where the winters aren't harsh, I suppose you have nothing to dislike about it.  As for me and everyone else living in the North Eastern part of the United States, it's been pretty cold, snowy, rainy and ugly outside lately.  In the beginning of the week, we had record low numbers and by the end of this week, we have temperatures in the fifties.  What's up with that, anyways?  We've also had snow a lot so far this winter and I can't say that I'm liking that a whole lot, either.  But, as I've said before, we can not control the weather!
 
 
I haven't quite decided what my next writing project will be, but I guess I'll soon figure something out.  What I do know, is that I absolutely need to get started on my hand-made greeting cards for this year.  Valentine's Day will be here before we know it, so I need to get a move on...   I make special cards for every holiday during the year for my immediate family, as well as, a few get well cards, a few thinking of you cards, and a few sympathy cards.  The only holiday that I don't make cards for now, is Christmas.  I always wait until early November to start them.
 
I have an order all ready to email to Paper Wishes.  I love purchasing supplies from there, because they carry merchandise that the local craft stores don't stock.  I get two magazines from the UK and they offer directions for many different types and styles of cards, using materials not available here in York.  So, that's why I love buying from Paper Wishes.  Also, there is the comfort of being able to place my order while still in my pajamas.  Then having it delivered right to my door.  How much easier can it get? 
 
I'm still waiting to see what the outcome is with my laptop.  I have a feeling that I will be buying a new one in the near future.  I do enjoy the Tablet that my husband bought me for Christmas, but I can't do any writing on it, but it's great to check emails, FB, my blog, etc.  So, for that I am grateful.  Of course, I still have my PC, which I cherish, but because I get so tired as the day progresses, sitting in my chair, in front of the PC, isn't something I can do for very long.  That's where the laptop is great, because I can sit on the sofa with my feet up and write to my heart's content.  Oh well, hopefully that time will come again very soon.
 
I've been thinking a lot about all the blessings that I have received from God.  I have so many, that there is simply nothing more I need.  I basically have everything I need.  How about you?  Do you realize how much God has blessed you and your family?  I feel sorry for all those people who are constantly looking for more:  bigger homes, fancy cars, name brand clothes, more money, etc. etc. etc. 
 
I can honestly say that I don't wish for any of those things.  I am so content just the way my life is right now.  I try to practice Gratitude and Acceptance every day of my life and I know doing this has helped me to feel this contentment.  I hope you will try doing this.  Make your every day mantra one where you give thanks to God and acceptance for everything you have.  I promise you it works.  Your life will be filled with happiness and peace. 
 
Well, I wish everyone a safe and blessed day. 
Susan
 
 

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Just a quick note!

Hi all,

I just wanted to jot down a quick note to everyone.  I am so pleased to hear that my newest novel, "Train-Trekking" With A Capital "T", is now printed and in the binding process.  I am so excited to soon be seeing the finished project in book form.  I suppose to a lot of people it's no big deal, but to me to means so much.  It's the third in my series. 

If you are of any age, you may find it a good read, but if you are in the 55 or over age bracket, I know you'll enjoy reading it.  The main characters in my series is a group of people over 60 years of age, who do some outstanding things for their ages.  It's eight ladies and their husbands. 

This book has some paranormal phenomena in it, which is of special interest to me.  It's always intrigued me, ever since I was young.  How about you?

I still have a few copies of the second novel in the series, "Crafty-Cruise" With a Capital "C", available for sale.  That book is $11.00 plus postage to mail it to you.  Let me know if you would like to purchase one for yourself.  Each of the books in the series can be read on it's own. 

Here's a photo of the cover of my "Train-Trekking" novel.  As soon as I get it uploaded to Amazon, I'll let everyone know.  That will probably be in a week or so.  That edition will be for electronic reading only.  But, you can purchase it (or any of my other 13 books or booklets) for any electronic reading device.  (Izod, Ipad, laptop, PC, tablet, Kindle, Nook, etc.)  You can access them by going to www.amazon.com and putting my name (Susan Lapp Mellott) in the search block and click.  All of my books will come up.  Happy reading!


Susan

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Praise God, it's Sunday!

Hi all,

Good morning to all of you.  I hope the first part of your weekend went well and I hope the second half goes equally as well.  I don't know what it's like where you are, but it's blustery cold here in the state of Pennsylvania, USA.  We have reached some record lows this past week and I'm ready to have that old temperature gauge raise itself up into the thirties once again. 

If you haven't gathered it by now, I'm definitely not a winter person!  I do love the change of the seasons, but I don't enjoy the cold weather.  Of course, being disabled and sedentary, I stay indoors most of the time.  Therefore, it's tolerable.  What are your feelings on the cold weather?  I'm sure some of you don't mind it at all.

I hear so many folks complaining about the cold temperatures and all the snow that we've been having, but when we're in the middle of the summer, with all the heat pouring out, they complain about that also.  I suppose that's just human nature.  For myself, I've always preferred the spring and fall times of the year best.  But, it seems those two seasons have gotten shorter and shorter as the years have gone by.  It appears to me that we go from winter straight into summer and then into winter, once again.  Where did spring and fall go to?

It's hard for me to realize that today is already the 5th of January, 2014.  Time goes by so quickly, especially when you get old.  It's strange, because one would think that time would go slower as we age and become sedentary, but it truly does not!  Why is that?  I wish someone could explain that to me.

I had some problems in getting my manuscript to the publishers, but I hope that now that's taken care of.  I won't know until tomorrow morning, as they don't work over the weekends.  I spend the last two days in total frustration, but I feel good about things today.  I just hope it stays that way, and I get a good reply from the printers tomorrow morning. 

I love writing, actually I love doing anything creative.  But, I have to say when it comes to going from one format to another on the computer, I'm out of my league.  I become extremely frustrated with my projects and momentarily wonder why I put myself through these things!  Once I figure  things out, I'm better, but I truly don't need all this frustration.  I will be so happy once everything is okay and headed to the print machines.  I can't wait to see the novel (Train-Trekking With a Capital T) in book form.  It certainly gives me a sense of accomplishment to see the finished project and to hold it in my hands.

Well, I hope you have a blessed Sunday and save a bit of time to do something for yourself.  Tomorrow you all head back to work, so you need the luxury of down time today.  God bless you all and keep you safe, always.
Susan














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Thursday, January 2, 2014

Happy New year!

Hi all,
First of all, let me wish each of you the very best for 2014.  So many people make new year's resolutions every year and then aren't able to keep them.  So, keeping this in mind, my resolution for 2014 is to be more thankful for all the little blessings  that God gives me every day.

You know, All those small things that occur e dry day that we simply take for granted.  Like having a hot cup of coffee or tea every morning to help us wake up.  Or, perhaps having that old heavy winter coat wear on those freezing cold mornings when you have to get into that cold car to drive to work.  Or, if you have a newer car which you can start from inside your home, are you thankful for that, or do you just take it for granted?

There are so many things that we have or do in every day that we just take for granted.  You know there is.  So, I'm going to try to remember to stop for a second to give thanks to God each time.

My great news for today is that my newest manuscript is now at the printers.  Hurrah!  Next is for me to submit it to amazon for electric reading.  Hopefully that will be done over the weekend.  I am very excited about this book.  It is called, "trains trekking" With a Capital"T", and is the third in this series, although each can be read separately.  I have added quite a bit of the paranormal in this novel.

I don't quite know what my next writing will be, but I am so anxious to start again, on something.  I have a few responsibilities to tend to in the next week, but then it is back to the keyboard. I only hope that by then, I will have my laptop back and that it's working properly.  Unless, of course it's a goner, then I will be purchasing a new one. I always say that electronic devices are wonderful, when they work!

Well I hope you all have a great first weekend for 2014!  Take care and check out my books at www.amazon.com.  take care and God bless!
Susan