"Where's that camel?"

Hi all,

Of course you all know by the title that today is hump day.  It doesn't truly make any difference to me, but I know that it does to many of you.  So, cheer up because starting tomorrow you're on the downward side of the work week.  So smile!

I have to say that the weather here in York, Pa, for the past two days has been marvelous.  I heard on the news at lunch time today, that our temperature went down to 48 degrees over night.  I'm loving that!  I also heard that starting tomorrow the temperatures are to start going up to more seasonal degrees.  Ugh!  I know that it's still July, but I'm ready for some fall temperatures and for the humidity to leave us until next summer.

What have you been up to lately?  I finished the first proofing on my current novel, "White to Black - With Many Shades in Between."  Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to start on the second read through.  I really not in any huge hurry, but I'd like to have it ready for publication by the end of August.  If not, then by the end of September. 

My current hand embroidery project is Christmas gift bags.  I'm going to start with eight of them, but perhaps I'll make a few more later on.  I like putting gifts in handmade felt bags.  That way, they can re-gift them with their own presents for someone else.  Here's a photograph of some of them.

Well, besides it being "Hump Day," it's my husband's Bingo night.  I'm not sure if he's planning on going, but I hope he does.  He enjoys playing Bingo so much and he usually always wins at least one pot.  He told me last night, that he didn't know how tired he'd be this evening.  I'm sure he'll wake up after he gets there.  Oh well, it's entirely up to him whether he wants to go or not.  My evening will still be the same:  Sitting on the sofa with my feet up.

Well, my family is now almost back to good health, once again.  I hope it stays that way.  My Grandson is still in the recovery process, but he'll soon be back to almost normal.  I'm happy for him, because he missed at least half of the summer.  As for my oldest daughter, the disease she had, has now subsided and I pray it stays away.  Today was the first day that she returned to the gym, since late April.  She took things slow, but said it went fairly well.  She still has the PVC's but hopefully, they'll subside since the stress of the disease is now behind her.  At least, I pray that she gets back to being healthy once again. 

My husband took me to OSS Urgent Care on Monday morning.  I've been having some pain in my right hip area, at the very top and sometimes, moving down along the bone.  They took xrays but I was told that he didn't see any splinters or breaks.  He thinks that I pulled some muscles, which are attached at the top of the hip bone.  He signed me up for some therapy.  I was told to continue taking the Ibuprofen, which helps.  He also gave me a prescription for a pain killer.  Well, Monday evening I took one of the pain pills before going to bed.  I won't do that gain.  The next morning, I was not feeling well at all.  I went back to bed and never got dressed until almost lunch time.  The thing was, that I really didn't sleep any better than when I take two Tylenol PM tablets.  So, that's what I took last evening before bed.  I sleep quite well and had no problems this morning. So far, so good.  I started using ice packs on my hip, yesterday, and am continuing today.  They seem to help.

I hope you are finding the time to do something creative in your life.  And, to set some time aside just for yourself, no kids and no spouse.  We all need fifteen to thirty minutes of quiet time each day just for ourselves.  If you don't take care of yourself, how will you be able to take care of your family?

Be safe and God bless.
Susan

A New Week is Upon Us!

Hi all,

How was your weekend?  Well, actually, it's not yet over, but for me it's pretty much gone.  I didn't do anything really exciting over this weekend, but that doesn' mean I didn't accomplish some things.  I proof read over seventy pages of my manuscript, I finished creating one poem and wrote another one today.  I also spent some time working on my newest hand embroidery project, which is Christmas bags for gifts.  These are rather large and will hold nice sized gifts.  I cut them all out, and I have two of them completed.  So, my weekend may not be what most people would call 'exciting', but it was very productive.  What's more important, to me, is the fact that all these things make me feel good about myself. 

Another four days and July bits the dust!  Where has the summer gone?  I understand that many of our local schools are starting around the 19th or 20th of August.  I suppose that's because they had so many snow days off this past year, that they are possibly building more snow days into this coming school year.  Who knows?

My husband has had a very busy weekend.  He golfed in a tournament yesterday, so he was gone all morning and most of the afternoon.  Today he drove quite a distance to attend a family reunion.  That's entirely way too much driving for me.  It took him about three hours to get there, he stayed about 3 1/2 hours and now is driving the three hours back home.  I worry so much about him when he's driving long distances.  He isn't a youngster anymore, but he doesn't see it that way. 

What's on your calender for this week?   Anything exciting?  For me, it's just a regular week of normal living and trying to work on my manuscript.  I'd like to have it finished by the end of August, but I'm not giving myself a time limit.  I've already decided that my next writing project will be a book of poems.  I still have to create quite a few new poems, but I find that poetry is on my mind a lot lately.  Again, there's no hurry for this project, either.

I hope that for all of you who will be returning to work again tomorrow morning, that you will try to simply keep an open mind.  The one good thing I've always realized about Mondays at work, was that I was always busy and the day flew by.  At least that's a good thing.  Unfortunately, we all need to work in order to make a living.  So, my advice is to just think good thoughts and make the most of it. 

Here's the picture that I'm using on the cover of my manuscript, "White to Black - With Many Shades in Between.

I drew it quite a few years ago.  It's a pencil art using all shades from white to dark black.

Have a wonderful Sunday evening and stay safe.
Susan

It's steamy out there!

Hi all,

I hope that if you live along the Eastern side of the United States, that you are not working outside today.  If you are, keep drinking plenty of water.  I watched the news at lunch time and the temperatures with the heat index was already in the nineties. 

My husband and his boss went golfing this morning, but they started around six am, which was a good thing, because they aren't youngsters any more.  I am so glad that my husband gets to golf as much as he does.  I know how very much he loves golfing.  He told me that his boss asked him if he would want to play in a golf tournament this Saturday.  I'm happy that he'll get to do what he loves, twice this week.

As for me, with the weather like it is currently, I will be remaining in the house until it cools down and the humidity comes back down.  With my heart disease, I simply can not breath when the weather is like this.  I will be going to the grocery store tomorrow morning, but I'll try to get there before ten o'clock.  Hopefully, my husband will be able to go with me.  It always helps when he can load the groceries into the car for me.

Well, today I finished my manuscript entitled:  White to Black:  With Many Shades in Between.  It's a rewrite of my memoirs.  I've changed some things, let some other things out and continued it through the last eight years.  I then started proof reading it, but I only got to about page 30.  I'm not in any real hurry to finish it.  I'll just take my time so I get it right.

I hope to soon be able to work on some more poetry.  I have now entered the "Story in a Poem" contest on Fanstory.com.  I don't really have any hope of winning, but I need the experience of entering contests.  It was free to apply, so I have absolutely nothing to loose.  I find that I am truly enjoying writing poetry.  I thought that perhaps when I've finished with my current book, and if I can write about twenty five or more poems, perhaps I'll consider putting them in a book for electronic reading.  I find that the easiest poems to write are those about real life experiences;  Poems that come from the heart.  They seem to flow more easily for me. 

Can you believe that summer is over half way gone.  I understand that many of the schools around here, will be opening around the 20th of August.  Perhaps they're building more snow days into their schedules, since we had so many snowy days this past winter, that most of the schools were always closing.  I'm sure the children didn't mind it, at that time, but when they had to extend the school year until almost the middle of June, they weren't at all happy.  Time will tell, now won't it!

I do hope that you all are using your creative abilities, and I know you do have some, because we all have been given creative abilities.  So many people just choose not to use them.  There are so many ways you can be creative, even at your job.  Expanding your knowledge will allow you to be creative.  Come on, you can think of something to do to be creative, if you try.

I have a need to find a way to "pay it forward" by doing something kind for a family I know, who are going through a very hard time right now.  Any suggestions?   I have a few now, but haven't decided on any one thing in particular, as of yet.

Well, as you all know, today is 'hump day.'  Starting tomorrow morning, you will be on the down side of the work week.  So, that's a great thing.  Just hang in there, do your job to the best of your ability and good things will come your way. 

I want to let all of you know that both my grandson and my daughter are doing so much better now.  My grandson is still healing, but he should be back to normal (what ever that is) and ready to start his Junior year in high school, next month.  As for my daughter, the disease she had, which is in the Vertigo family, has now passed.  She saw a cardiologist this week, and he feels the PVC's were made worse by the disease.  No medication for the time being, but if they continue to be so frequent, she will have to be put on medication.  She is very weak but can now start trying to build herself back up, slowly.  She and her family were on vacation last week and they all had a wonderful time.  So, I want to thank you for any prayers you've offered up for the both of them. 

Here's a photograph of last evenings dessert.  It's a Tastefully Simple mix.

Each mini muffin has chocolate chips in them and they are topped with caramel and a walnut.

 I wish you a great day and good things for the approaching weekend.  Be safe always.
Susan

"It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood!"

Hi all,

What a beautiful day this Saturday is becoming.  The temperatures are not to be too warm and the humidity is to be low.  How much more could we ask for than that?  Also, there's a slight breeze blowing and it's cool. 

What's on your schedule for today?  As for me, I have a Red Hat Event scheduled for this afternoon.  We are having a games afternoon, followed up by a covered dish dinner.  I'm sure the men will probably play Texas Holdem, but I'm not sure what the woman will play.  I'm going to take my game, 20Q along, so perhaps we'll play that for a while.  Of course, at the covered dish supper there will be plenty of food, just as always.  Men usually aren't invited to attend Red Hat functions, but in our case, I do permit it.  You see, we are all scattered over the Susquehanna Valley and because most of us are up in age, I prefer it the husbands drive their wives to some of the activities.  It's been working out quite nicely, and I believe the gents enjoy themselves as much as we do. 

This will be a short post today, as I have a few things to do before the afternoon's event.  I do hope that each of you will try very hard to do something fun, just for yourself.  Taking time for you, is very important.  It will, in no way, distract from family time, so just do it!

I'm getting close to finishing my manuscript for "White to Black".  Of course, I'm not even close to having it ready for publication, but soon.  I have to find another hand embroidery project to keep my self busy when I'm sitting watching television.  Any ideas for me?

Well, whatever this beautiful weekend has in store for you, enjoy it and stay safe.
Sue

Happy Thursday evening, everyone!

Hi all,

Well, how's your week going thus far?  At least you can rest assured that tomorrow is Friday, so only one more work day until the weekend.  Just keep repeating after me, "One more day!"  Everyone can make it through just one twenty four hour period.  Come on, cheer up!

What's on your schedule for the weekend?  If you are living in the Eastern part of the United States, I believe it's to be a really nice weekend, weather wise.  The humidity is to be low until the start of next week, so get out there and do something fun.  There's so much to do outside, just go enjoy yourselves. 

My hopes for the weekend are this:  I'd like to keep working on my manuscript.  I'm almost finished with the writing process.  Next comes the rewrites and then the proof reading.  Ugh!  Proofreading is so hard for me.  I always thought I read every word and phrase while reading, but I suppose I don't.  I think I read four or five words at a time, therefore I don't catch the errors so easily.  I suppose I could ask someone else to do the proofing, but I prefer to do it myself.  You know, we all have our own little quirks, and that's one of mine. 

I've been working on my poetry lately.  I believe that I now have written six of them.  I am using one of them to enter a contest.  I have until July 31, to get my entry submitted.  But, I'm about finished, so no sweat!  Sometimes it's good to wait a few days and then review the poem to see if I'd like to make any changes.  I have to say that I am enjoying writing poetry.  I never thought I would, but I am!  God's always directing me into different avenues of writing.  For that, I am so thankful.

Well, I finally finished my hand embroidered Christmas table runners.  I am pleased with them, but so glad I am now done.  I completed four of them:  one for each of my daughters and one for myself.  Now it's on to something else to embroider, but what????   Oh, I'm sure I'll soon come up with another good project.  Just give me a few days...

It's been a while since I've done any painting or created any hand-made greeting cards.  I make my cards for the year (except for Christmas cards), within the first three months of each year.  It takes me quite a while to complete all of them, but I love doing them. 

Of course, I love doing anything that's creative and for that, I am so thankful to God.  Since I am ill and lead a sedentary life style, I don't honestly know what I'd do if I couldn't create something! 

Well, I wish each of you a happy and content weekend.  Have some fun and be sure to set some time aside just for yourself.  I know I say this often, but it's so important.  You can't be there for your family, if you haven't rejuvenated yourself! 

Be safe and enjoy!
Susan

And to you, a very happy Monday!

Good morning to you all,

Well, it's a pretty normal Monday for me.  As usual I did laundry, lots of it.  I truly don't know how we get so much laundry.  Oh well, it is now finished until later in the week. 

I suppose old habits never go away, at least for me, that is.  I've always done laundry on Mondays, for as long as I can ever remember.  My Mom also did laundry on Mondays.  Well, I do laundry at least one other day out of the week, but it's always been done on Mondays.

I will admit that I am absolutely a creature of habit.  I will also admit that I like it that way.  I am a list person, as well.  I have never, nor will I ever, be a woman to fly by the seat of my pants.  And, if you don't know that old saying, it means that I don't like things sprung on me without some warning.  Whenever we are going somewhere or I have multiple things I need to do, I write up lists for myself and then cross off everything as I've completed it.  This seems to have always worked for me.  I truly like to have all my ducks in a row, before I do anything.  As I've said, old habits die hard and in my case, never go away.

How was your weekend?  Mine was very nice and the weather on Friday and Saturday was pretty enjoyable.  Yesterday the humidity started going back up, so I stayed indoors most of the afternoon and all of the evening.  We visited with some new found friends who are suffering their own personal issues with chronic illness.  Gerry and I truly want to help this couple in any way that we are able.  For me, it's my way to "play it forward", since I've had so many people help me to deal with my illness.  The big difference between this couple and Gerry and I, is that they are only in their forties and they have a young son.  Although I will admit that my heart problems reared their ugly little heads when I was in my forties, but my daughters were all grown up adults by then.  So I didn't have the extra responsibilities that a young child brings. 

I have been praying every day for both the man, who has cancer, and for his wife, as she is carrying so many burdens. But, I do know this, that neither one of them is going through this alone.  I absolutely know, that God is carrying the both of them, and there is no one better to do the job, than the Lord.  Whatever happens with this man's health, God will see him through it.  And, no matter what the results of his illness are, his wife will get through, because God will be right there by her side.  Please say a prayer for this couple.  I firmly believe in the power of prayers.  God can and does work miracles every single day!

Well, let me tell you, that since this past Friday, a week ago, I have been watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark station and on the Hallmark Movie Channel.  They were celebrating Christmas in July.  I watched so many of these movies, not for just the first time, but for many, many times.  I don't care that they're repeats, I just love them.  When one of them is over, I feel such a joy and contentment inside me.  That's what the spirit of Christmas is all about; letting that peace and joy inside your heart so you can love your family and friends.  They simply bring me so much joy, and I'll take that anytime!

I'm still working on my autobiography and on my hand embroidery project.  Also, I am entering a poetry contest on Fanstory, com.  So, I've been pretty busy.  How about you?  What have you been up to lately?  I do hope you've scheduled some time into your busy days just for yourself.  I know I keep repeating myself on this, but I can't stress it enough, that everyone of us needs some time alone.  Time to reconnect with God and ourselves. 

Be safe and enjoy your day.
Susan

I'm enjoying it!

Hi all,

I'm sorry I haven't added a new page earlier this week, but I've been preoccupied with writing my poetry.  I'm finding that I truly am enjoying writing poetry, even though I never thought I'd be able to do it.  Oh me of little faith!  I should have known that when I put my mind to something, I can accomplish it.  It may not be great, but by darn, I will do it!

I have now written four poems, that are all based on happenings from my life.  I have decided to enter a contest for poetry.  You have to write a poem that contains a story in it.  That should be fairly easy for me, as all four of the poems I've already written are stories from my life.  I can't use any of them because I've already posted them on Fanstory.  This is a web site for writers, be it novels or poetry.  You write a story or a poem and then you can post it for other writers to review and rate.  By reviewing and rating each others work, you earn play money, which is used to post your own work. 
I have to admit that I do read many of the poems, because I've always enjoyed poetry, but never wrote any. 

Here's a sample of one of my poems.  I hope you like it.

My Blessings!

 

If I could choose to start my life

All over, just once more.

There's very little I would change,

This, I know for sure.

 

I've had my joys, pains and sorrows,

Difficult days, nights and weeks.

But the many joys far out weigh,

Anything else I could ever seek.

 

I've never had to walk this path,

In any way alone.

Because God has walked right by my side,

Carrying me, although I had not known.

 

Old age has crept into my body,

And illness has attacked my heart.

But still I see god's plan for me,

If not in full, then at least, in part.

 

The blessings He's bestowed upon me,

Are way too many for me to say.

But I'll always be thankful for them all,

Now and on every single day.

 

So thank you dear God in heaven,

For the loving family you've given me.

No greater blessing could I ever ask for,

Then the gift of my daughters, three.

 

And the blessed gift of true love,

You've brought into my life.

He's a wonderful and caring person,

And I'm honored to be his wife.

 

 

Sometime soon, I'll post a few of my poems on a separate page for you to read. 

 

Well, the weekend is almost upon us, once again.  I hope you'll all get to spend some of it just kicking back and relaxing.  I know that when you have children at home yet, that often times, you weekends are filled with running all over the place.  Letting you little time for yourself.  But, I am telling you how very important it is for you to find some time to relax and unwind.  Time just to yourself....  just do it.

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Susan

 

 



I'm so glad I tried it!

Hi all,

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend.  We did and the weather here was just beautiful.  It was low humidity and the temperatures weren't too hot.  I thoroughly enjoyed sitting on my porch.  But, now we're back to hot and sticky weather today.  Great!  At least I have central air conditioning so I don't have to be out in this weather.  Actually, my heart wouldn't be able to function in this weather, so it's a good thing we have the air conditioning.

What I am referring to in my title, is the fact that I tried writing poetry.  I am so enjoying it.  I've always loved reading poetry, but just never wrote any.  That is, until now.  I have three poems posted on a website for writers.  The web address is:  www.Fanstory.com .  I enjoy spending time on this site and reading and reviewing other writers poems and stories.  They are so generous and supporting and that means so much to me.

What have you been doing creatively?  Please don't say that you don't have any creative abilities because we all have these abilities inside of us.  Perhaps you just haven't reached down far enough to find yours.  You don't have to be especially great at it, it just needs to be something you enjoy doing.  It's kind of like what you've told your children growing up:  Find something you like to do and then just do your best.  If you like doing it, then that's all anyone will ever ask of you. 

I thought I'd get some writing done over the weekend, but I'm sorry to say that didn't happen.  It was so beautiful outside, that I just wanted to sit on our porch and enjoy the day.  I finished my second seven day journaling session, so at least that's something.  I definately will get back on my auto-biographical novel this week.  Tomorrow looks like a good day to get started once again, since I'm finished with my three loads of laundry. 

I can't believe that it's soon the middle of July already.  Before we know it, fall will be upon us.  I honestly can't say that I will be sorry to see fall approach.  Mostly because during the summer months I'm stuck inside most all the time.  I am also having problems with my allergies.  I did go outside today for about twenty minutes to clip some dead leaves off my plants.  That's all it took for my allergies to kick in and the drainage to start.  Ugh...  So, tomorrow, I will be staying indoors all day!

I'm still working on my Christmas embroidery pieces.  I've already completed one for my two older daughters, and now, I'm almost finished with the one for my youngest daughter.  Then, finally, I will be able to complete my own.  Of course, when I'm done, I'll then be looking to see what I can do next.  Oh well!

I hope your week started off in a good way and that it continues that way until good old Friday greets us.  Make the most of whatever comes your way and always trust in God to get you through whatever problems come your way. 

Stay strong and God bless you all.
Susan

I'm trying something new? How about you?

Hi all,

Well, July 4th is almost upon us.  I'm sure the the majority of you have some plans for the holiday, if not for the entire weekend.  Wherever you're going and whatever you choose to do, please stay safe, enjoy yourselves and love your family. 

As I'm sure you can tell from my title today, I have decided to try something new in the writing line. A week or two ago, I wrote my first poem and I have to say, I truly enjoyed doing it.  I also think it's pretty good.  So, a a day or two ago, I wrote my second one and today I finished my third. 

I am truly enjoying writing poetry.  I never even considered giving it a try before.  I've just always enjoyed writing children's books, adult novels, and self help booklets.  But, now I'm on to something new.  Oh, I'm still working on my current non-fiction novel and it's coming along quite well.  Also, I'm working on a seven day journaling class.  I actually took this one a few months ago, but I thought I'd just take it once again.  I enjoy journaling. 

Have you ever tried journaling?  If not, you really should.  It's not only good for you emotionally, but it improves your health, as well.  What happens when you journal, is that you unload all those hurtful feelings, tensions, stresses and so on, that are inside of you.  You know, those negative thoughts and emotions that somehow seem to remain inside you, even though you'd like to get rid of them.  Give it a try sometime.  You really don't need any special journal.  Just pick up a tablet or a sheet of paper and start unloading all your feelings.  I promise you, you'll be so surprised at how much better you will feel when you're finished. 

My thanks to any of you who have been praying for my daughter and my youngest grandson.  They are both doing some better now.  My grandson's doctor is so surprised and pleased with his progress.  That's certainly good news.  As for my daughter, she has finally been diagnosed with a disease, which hopefully, is on it's way to getting better.  She also found out that she is having PVC's of the heart.  For those of you who don't know what that is, it's Premature Ventricular Contractions of the heart.  I know they can attempt to control them with medication and if that doesn't work, there is a procedure that can be done.  My middle daughter has had PVC's and her doctor performed a ablation on her.  She's good now.  I
also, have PVC's, plus a lot of other conditions of the heart.

Well, enjoy your holiday and stay safe. 
Susan

 

This is going to be on the cover of my new novel.

I drew it many years ago.