Hi everyone,
I hope all of you are doing well today, because it's Hump Day! Of course, for me that makes absolutely no difference what so ever, but I know it does matter to many of you.
My newest novel, "Prolonged Uncertainty" is selling very well. I only have ten copies available for sale. I just wanted to remind everyone that this novel is available at a discounted price for electronic reading until Oct. 31 only. You can purchase it by going to www.amazon.com and entering my full name into the search block and clicking. All of my novels, booklets, etc. will come up.
Well, it's Wednesday and, as usual, I'm watching Solid Gold Oldies on Comcast television. I do love my oldies from the fifties and sixties. Oh how I wish I was still able to get up and do those dances I grew up doing. My illness just leaves me with very little energy, but I can still enjoy the music and for that, I am so grateful.
How many of you have started your Christmas shopping? As I've shared with you all before, I've been making handmade Christmas gifts since January. I love hand creating anything and everything at any time of the year.
I've been working on my handmade Christmas cards. So far, I believe I have about eighteen finished. Not too bad for it still being October. As soon as I'm finished with my Christmas cards, I need to hand make some all occasion cards and get well cards. It seems I've about run out of these types of cards. I won't start my other cards (family birthday, holidays/except Christmas, etc.) until after the holidays are completely over.
I have to tell you that if I did not have the ability to do what creative things I now do, I think I would become very depressed. My husband asked me today when I'm going to start another novel. I just laughed! Perhaps next year some time. What with all the trouble I had getting it changed into the format that the printer needed, I need a break from the stress. Jennifer, the customer service person who went over and beyond what she had to do to help me, was my lifesaver. I mailed her a small gift to say thank you this week. I hope she likes it.
What have you all been up to lately? Summer is over and fall is certainly passing quickly. Nov. 1 is on Sunday. Now that all the outdoor creative work is finished until next season, what type of creative work will you try? I certainly hope you will do something with whatever amount of creative abilities you do possess.
I've already given away some of my embroidered hand towels as well as, some of my table runners or table covers. If I can share my love for creating with another person, then I'm happy. I have a few other projects in the making and some that I haven't even given much thought to, as of yet.
I hope the remainder of your week is good and that you all stay safe.
Susan
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
It's Way Back Wednesday!
Hi friends,
It's Way Back Wednesday, so I'm going way back with my music. Of course, it doesn't have to be Wednesday for me to listen to those Oldies but Goodies. I listen to them every day. We have a Solid Gold Oldies television station available to us and I love tuning in to it when my husband has gone to play Bingo. He doesn't seem to understand why I enjoy listening to this music. I guess it's hard to explain to someone why I love this music.
It does take me way back, back to a much simpler time in my life. A time, when as a teenager, my problems were minimal, to say the least. Back in the sixties, the life of teens was so much more easier then it is today. We didn't have any of the electronic devices that all teens and preteens, all carry with them. We thought we were pretty 'smooth' if we had a pocket sized, portable radio. I don't believe I actually had one of those until I was about twelve years old. I thought I'd died and went to heaven. I was so happy.
I suppose listening to the tunes of my childhood brings me great comfort now. I realize that they were the most simplistic years of my entire life. My problems at that time were doing my homework, helping with the house and yard work, and not much more. Compared to my responsibilities as an adult, that was a drop in the bucket.
I have always loved Rock and Roll, Doo-Woop, and every other type of music that came out during the years 1956 through 1968. I loved dancing and I learned every single new dance that came out during those years. My Sister and I watched American Bandstand every day during the week. We learned every step to every dance; we knew all the singers and groups that were popular during that time period. We'd dance together all the time. I can't tell you how many times one of us would dance with the refrigerator door as a partner, while the other one washed dishes. We knew most of the kids on American Bandstand, and who was a couple or not.
I've never lost that love of music or dance. I really can't dance much anymore because of my illness, but I still do a few steps now and then. In fact, last weekend I was listening to some music when my husband came in the room. I asked him to slow dance with me. He was so surprised, to say the least. The song wasn't rock and roll, rather an old song of Patsy Cline's. It was kind of nice to just dance like that, without actually planning it. I can't tell you how much I miss getting up and doing The Stroll, The Bristol Stomp, The Twist, The Jitterbug and so very many line dances from Country Music.
I taught line dancing and the two step for about three years. My husband later helped me to teach. I was into Country Western Music at that time. I just love music and dancing of both types.
We went out and bought ourselves western boots and outfits. We really got into everything western, that's for sure. But, all good things do come to an end, eventually, for all of us. For me, that happened over nine and a half years ago when I became a chronic Congestive Heart Patient. I am thankful that I am still alive. I believe that God still had plans for me back then, so He left me remain alive to do them.
My Mom and Dad listened to our music a lot also. I guess they really didn't have too much of a choice in the matter. That's all we listened to back then. They were lovers of the big band sounds. I like some of those also. How about you?
I feel like that was a lifetime ago now. I suppose I feel that way, because it was. I loved becoming a Mother to my three daughters. They are my greatest accomplishments throughout my entire life. Here's a photo of them when they were teenagers. Love the big hair that was so popular back then.
I hope your Wednesday is going well. Don't forget today is Hump Day so you're now on the downside of the work week. Be safe always and may God bless each one of you.
Susan
It's Way Back Wednesday, so I'm going way back with my music. Of course, it doesn't have to be Wednesday for me to listen to those Oldies but Goodies. I listen to them every day. We have a Solid Gold Oldies television station available to us and I love tuning in to it when my husband has gone to play Bingo. He doesn't seem to understand why I enjoy listening to this music. I guess it's hard to explain to someone why I love this music.
It does take me way back, back to a much simpler time in my life. A time, when as a teenager, my problems were minimal, to say the least. Back in the sixties, the life of teens was so much more easier then it is today. We didn't have any of the electronic devices that all teens and preteens, all carry with them. We thought we were pretty 'smooth' if we had a pocket sized, portable radio. I don't believe I actually had one of those until I was about twelve years old. I thought I'd died and went to heaven. I was so happy.
I suppose listening to the tunes of my childhood brings me great comfort now. I realize that they were the most simplistic years of my entire life. My problems at that time were doing my homework, helping with the house and yard work, and not much more. Compared to my responsibilities as an adult, that was a drop in the bucket.
I have always loved Rock and Roll, Doo-Woop, and every other type of music that came out during the years 1956 through 1968. I loved dancing and I learned every single new dance that came out during those years. My Sister and I watched American Bandstand every day during the week. We learned every step to every dance; we knew all the singers and groups that were popular during that time period. We'd dance together all the time. I can't tell you how many times one of us would dance with the refrigerator door as a partner, while the other one washed dishes. We knew most of the kids on American Bandstand, and who was a couple or not.
I've never lost that love of music or dance. I really can't dance much anymore because of my illness, but I still do a few steps now and then. In fact, last weekend I was listening to some music when my husband came in the room. I asked him to slow dance with me. He was so surprised, to say the least. The song wasn't rock and roll, rather an old song of Patsy Cline's. It was kind of nice to just dance like that, without actually planning it. I can't tell you how much I miss getting up and doing The Stroll, The Bristol Stomp, The Twist, The Jitterbug and so very many line dances from Country Music.
I taught line dancing and the two step for about three years. My husband later helped me to teach. I was into Country Western Music at that time. I just love music and dancing of both types.
We went out and bought ourselves western boots and outfits. We really got into everything western, that's for sure. But, all good things do come to an end, eventually, for all of us. For me, that happened over nine and a half years ago when I became a chronic Congestive Heart Patient. I am thankful that I am still alive. I believe that God still had plans for me back then, so He left me remain alive to do them.
My Mom and Dad listened to our music a lot also. I guess they really didn't have too much of a choice in the matter. That's all we listened to back then. They were lovers of the big band sounds. I like some of those also. How about you?
I feel like that was a lifetime ago now. I suppose I feel that way, because it was. I loved becoming a Mother to my three daughters. They are my greatest accomplishments throughout my entire life. Here's a photo of them when they were teenagers. Love the big hair that was so popular back then.
I hope your Wednesday is going well. Don't forget today is Hump Day so you're now on the downside of the work week. Be safe always and may God bless each one of you.
Susan
Thursday, October 15, 2015
How's everyone doing tonight?
Hi all,
Well here we are with another weekend approaching. What are your plans for this weekend? Mine aren't too exciting. I see the weatherman in South Central PA is calling for some chilly days and nights this weekend. It's only to get into the mid 50's during the day, with it dipping into the low to mid 30's overnight. I'm not quite ready for it to be that cold just yet, but I suppose there's not a thing I can do about it anyways.
I am so excited because my newest manuscript, "Prolonged Uncertainty" is now at the printers. I'm so anxious to finally see it in print. I will tell you that this week has been very hard on me. I was trying to get it into the correct format so that DiggyPod could print it, and things weren't working out for me. I must have spent four or five hours on the phone with the Customer Service Representative from DiggyPod. I commend her for her patience and kindness toward me. Her name is Jennifer and she was my human angel on Tuesday and Wednesday, that's for sure. Together, we finally got the text and both covers converted so they can now print the novel.
I've worked with many customer service representatives over my adult lifetime and Jennifer definitely was the kindest person I've ever encountered. She was my life saver, that's for sure. I even told my husband that I wasn't going to write any more novels because I couldn't take all the stress when trying to get it printed. Of course, I probably will continue writing, but I was very discouraged at that time.
Here's what the novel will look like.
On the cover is one of my Grandsons, Tucker, and another of my Grandsons, Tanner, was the photographer. I'm so proud of all six of my Grandsons and I love them so very much.
I went grocery shopping this morning. Well, my husband went with me, so that made it a bit easier on me. I am so thankful when he is able to go with me. Grocery shopping is about the most strenuous thing I do anymore.
I was watching the news at lunch time today and they were reporting on heart disease. They said that if you have experienced heart failure, your life span is usually only about five years. That shocked me. I've never gone into cardiac arrest, but I have had chronic congestive heart failure for over nine and a half years now. I give thanks to God every day for allowing me to continue living. I beg for His Divine Mercy every single day. I also live each day giving gratitude and acceptance to God for everything I do have. There is basically nothing else I need. I've been so blessed all through my life.
Well, whatever your plans are for the weekend, I hope you have a safe and good one.
Susan
Well here we are with another weekend approaching. What are your plans for this weekend? Mine aren't too exciting. I see the weatherman in South Central PA is calling for some chilly days and nights this weekend. It's only to get into the mid 50's during the day, with it dipping into the low to mid 30's overnight. I'm not quite ready for it to be that cold just yet, but I suppose there's not a thing I can do about it anyways.
I am so excited because my newest manuscript, "Prolonged Uncertainty" is now at the printers. I'm so anxious to finally see it in print. I will tell you that this week has been very hard on me. I was trying to get it into the correct format so that DiggyPod could print it, and things weren't working out for me. I must have spent four or five hours on the phone with the Customer Service Representative from DiggyPod. I commend her for her patience and kindness toward me. Her name is Jennifer and she was my human angel on Tuesday and Wednesday, that's for sure. Together, we finally got the text and both covers converted so they can now print the novel.
I've worked with many customer service representatives over my adult lifetime and Jennifer definitely was the kindest person I've ever encountered. She was my life saver, that's for sure. I even told my husband that I wasn't going to write any more novels because I couldn't take all the stress when trying to get it printed. Of course, I probably will continue writing, but I was very discouraged at that time.
Here's what the novel will look like.
On the cover is one of my Grandsons, Tucker, and another of my Grandsons, Tanner, was the photographer. I'm so proud of all six of my Grandsons and I love them so very much.
I went grocery shopping this morning. Well, my husband went with me, so that made it a bit easier on me. I am so thankful when he is able to go with me. Grocery shopping is about the most strenuous thing I do anymore.
I was watching the news at lunch time today and they were reporting on heart disease. They said that if you have experienced heart failure, your life span is usually only about five years. That shocked me. I've never gone into cardiac arrest, but I have had chronic congestive heart failure for over nine and a half years now. I give thanks to God every day for allowing me to continue living. I beg for His Divine Mercy every single day. I also live each day giving gratitude and acceptance to God for everything I do have. There is basically nothing else I need. I've been so blessed all through my life.
Well, whatever your plans are for the weekend, I hope you have a safe and good one.
Susan
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Happy Sunday!
Hi everyone,
I do hope that your weekend was a good one, filled with some fun, some family time and some relaxation for you. Mine was a good one, with plenty of rest and relaxation, time with friends and a little fun. What more could I ask for from a weekend.
I'm still working on my hand embroidery work. I'm embroidering some Christmas scenes on some and some other designs on others. I just finished a fall scene on a towel, which I will be keeping for us. I am going to hang it in our kitchen to welcome fall.
I really need to soon start on my handmade Christmas cards. I am pretty sure I will be able to start them this week, now that my cleaning is complete for now. I'm not sure if I'll be able to start tomorrow because I seem to have quite a bit of laundry to do tomorrow. Wearing jeans, long pants and long sleeved shirts and sweats, sure does fill up the hamper quickly. I like the change in the weather and temperatures, but not in the laundry basket.
Here's a photograph of my towel for fall. Hope you like it. Also, here's one for Easter.
I have completed so many towels and table centerpiece covers, that I'm not sure who all I'll give them to as a gift. I will keep two or so of the Christmas towels for us to use.
Have you ever tried hand embroidery? If not, you really should take some lessons and start on a project. For me, it's so very relaxing to do while watching television. I just love doing it and I'm sure after you learn how to embroider, you will also. Just give it a try.
I hope you all have a great week, whether or not you will be at work or not. Try to make the most of every day, because we never know what day will be our last. Stay safe and God be with you, always.
Susan
I do hope that your weekend was a good one, filled with some fun, some family time and some relaxation for you. Mine was a good one, with plenty of rest and relaxation, time with friends and a little fun. What more could I ask for from a weekend.
I'm still working on my hand embroidery work. I'm embroidering some Christmas scenes on some and some other designs on others. I just finished a fall scene on a towel, which I will be keeping for us. I am going to hang it in our kitchen to welcome fall.
I really need to soon start on my handmade Christmas cards. I am pretty sure I will be able to start them this week, now that my cleaning is complete for now. I'm not sure if I'll be able to start tomorrow because I seem to have quite a bit of laundry to do tomorrow. Wearing jeans, long pants and long sleeved shirts and sweats, sure does fill up the hamper quickly. I like the change in the weather and temperatures, but not in the laundry basket.
Here's a photograph of my towel for fall. Hope you like it. Also, here's one for Easter.
I have completed so many towels and table centerpiece covers, that I'm not sure who all I'll give them to as a gift. I will keep two or so of the Christmas towels for us to use.
Have you ever tried hand embroidery? If not, you really should take some lessons and start on a project. For me, it's so very relaxing to do while watching television. I just love doing it and I'm sure after you learn how to embroider, you will also. Just give it a try.
I hope you all have a great week, whether or not you will be at work or not. Try to make the most of every day, because we never know what day will be our last. Stay safe and God be with you, always.
Susan
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Happy Tuesday evening!
Hi everyone,
How's your week going thus far? Mine is going better than last week. At least I haven't had any electronic issues, so far. Everything is working with my new printer, although I'm still trying to get used to this new one.
When you get older, working with electronic devices gets harder. Oh heck, a lot of changes get harder to accept. I believe that's because as we age, we find it harder to make changes in our lives. We get more set in our ways and change doesn't come easily. Maybe I'm just making excuses for myself, but that's okay, I am an old person!
I haven't yet submitted my manuscript for publication because I still haven't figured out how to format it to their desired format. I may end up just paying them the extra money to do it for me, but I'm not quite ready to do that. I've kind of just set that project aside for a few days. I've been working on cleaning my home. I'm almost done so I may just finish up tomorrow. Then it's done for a while, because I don't clean nearly as often as I used to do, when I was younger. I used to worry about having a clean house, but not so much anymore. It's just my husband and myself and we don't make all that much dirt.
I am anxious to get started on my hand-made Christmas cards, but once I get started, I like to get on going until I'm finished. I have so many ideas swimming around in my head and I'd like to get started on them. Have you ever tried making your own greeting cards? If not, you should give it a try. You just may enjoy yourself and discover that you do have some creative ability inside you.
Can you believe that today is already the sixth of October. Time is just flying on by! My Red Hat group is having a Halloween Party in a few weeks and I need to get started on coming up with some games for us to play. I only need about three, but I hate to replay a game from the year before. Any ideas? I was thinking that perhaps we'd divide into groups and have one person as the model and the other 2 or 3 (in each group), dress the model in a fancy outfit. Of course, they would only have crepe paper, ribbon, toilet paper, scotch tape and scissors to use. What do you think? Could they come up with an outfit?
My oldest daughter, Marlena, is daily posting how many days or weeks it is until Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and also Thanksgiving. I love seeing those posts. My very favorite time of year starts at Thanksgiving and ends with the New Year. The Christmas Season fills me with so much warmth for everyone around me and that's a good thing. Also, everyone else seems a bit nicer during that period of time. I love having my family all together for both Thanksgiving and for Christmas Eve. We don't all get together very often, as they all have their own families and schedules. I'm just thankful that they're all healthy and have jobs.
Here's a photograph of a pillow I made for all three of my daughters and one for myself, a few years ago. I put mine out every Christmas. It just makes me smile.
I hope your week is going well and that you are healthy. May God bless each of you.
Susan
How's your week going thus far? Mine is going better than last week. At least I haven't had any electronic issues, so far. Everything is working with my new printer, although I'm still trying to get used to this new one.
When you get older, working with electronic devices gets harder. Oh heck, a lot of changes get harder to accept. I believe that's because as we age, we find it harder to make changes in our lives. We get more set in our ways and change doesn't come easily. Maybe I'm just making excuses for myself, but that's okay, I am an old person!
I haven't yet submitted my manuscript for publication because I still haven't figured out how to format it to their desired format. I may end up just paying them the extra money to do it for me, but I'm not quite ready to do that. I've kind of just set that project aside for a few days. I've been working on cleaning my home. I'm almost done so I may just finish up tomorrow. Then it's done for a while, because I don't clean nearly as often as I used to do, when I was younger. I used to worry about having a clean house, but not so much anymore. It's just my husband and myself and we don't make all that much dirt.
I am anxious to get started on my hand-made Christmas cards, but once I get started, I like to get on going until I'm finished. I have so many ideas swimming around in my head and I'd like to get started on them. Have you ever tried making your own greeting cards? If not, you should give it a try. You just may enjoy yourself and discover that you do have some creative ability inside you.
Can you believe that today is already the sixth of October. Time is just flying on by! My Red Hat group is having a Halloween Party in a few weeks and I need to get started on coming up with some games for us to play. I only need about three, but I hate to replay a game from the year before. Any ideas? I was thinking that perhaps we'd divide into groups and have one person as the model and the other 2 or 3 (in each group), dress the model in a fancy outfit. Of course, they would only have crepe paper, ribbon, toilet paper, scotch tape and scissors to use. What do you think? Could they come up with an outfit?
My oldest daughter, Marlena, is daily posting how many days or weeks it is until Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and also Thanksgiving. I love seeing those posts. My very favorite time of year starts at Thanksgiving and ends with the New Year. The Christmas Season fills me with so much warmth for everyone around me and that's a good thing. Also, everyone else seems a bit nicer during that period of time. I love having my family all together for both Thanksgiving and for Christmas Eve. We don't all get together very often, as they all have their own families and schedules. I'm just thankful that they're all healthy and have jobs.
I hope your week is going well and that you are healthy. May God bless each of you.
Susan
Friday, October 2, 2015
It's been a rough week!
Hi all,
How is your week going? Mine has been a tough one. Since I got chronic congestive heart failure, nine and one half years ago, I get emotional very quickly, over anything. This past Monday I was scheduled for a 4 to 6 hour test, regarding my heart problems. I was very anxious about what the results would be. I have to say that the worrying started two weeks prior to the test. I tried not to worry, but it just seemed to keep popping up in my mind, no matter how many times I tried to ease my worries.
When they called on Tuesday, to give me the results, I took a breathe and waited. The answer was that they didn't find anything new, which made me happy. One thing off my list to worry about. The other problem was that I was having trouble with my PC and didn't know how to fix it. On top of that, my expensive printer wasn't working properly anymore and I couldn't fix that either. So, I finally called "Doug", my tech guy, and he came over and fixed my PC. As far as the printer, he said he would suggest that I purchase a new printer because it would probably cost me just as much to have mine repaired. So, I purchased a new one and attempted to install it.
You guessed, I couldn't do it. I tried many times and it just wasn't working and I still had to hook it up to my laptop as well. It is a wireless printer. So, in desperation, I called "Doug" once again and he came to my rescue. He is such a good person who also suffers from a chronic illness. He hooked the printer up to my PC and to my laptop. Now I can print once again, as well as, scan and make copies. Now I'm a happy lady once again.
That all took place over the period Monday through Thursday evening and I'm glad that it's all fixed. My nerves have been very bad this week and that is certainly not good for my heart condition. Hopefully now I can relax this weekend and give thanks that my problems are now solved. At least for now they are and I hope for a long time.
I am sure many of you had a lot of worse problems then I did, but with a weak heart, it's a bit different for me. I do hope that, like me, you've solved all your immediate problems. Thank God I'm not still raising children because I have absolutely no patience anymore, not that I ever had much in the first place.
I hope you all have some fun things planned for your weekend. I don't have anything planned, but that's a good thing for me. I'm sure I will spend time on my hand embroidery and perhaps I'll get started on my handmade Christmas cards. I looked over some things today, so I will know what I'm doing when I do start. I think I'll only make about fifty of them this year. I still have some left over from last year, so I'll use them up first.
Have you been doing anything creative? I do hope so. I found some other projects I'd like to get started on, but just haven't had the time or mostly the energy to start them. I have to get my manuscript to the publisher and I'm having trouble changing the format for them. Nothing new there, is it? I'll keep working at it and if I can't do it, I'll see if anyone can help me.
Have a wonderful weekend and plan indoor activities, as it's to be a wet weekend here on the East Coast of the US. Be safe always and God bless each of you.
Susan
How is your week going? Mine has been a tough one. Since I got chronic congestive heart failure, nine and one half years ago, I get emotional very quickly, over anything. This past Monday I was scheduled for a 4 to 6 hour test, regarding my heart problems. I was very anxious about what the results would be. I have to say that the worrying started two weeks prior to the test. I tried not to worry, but it just seemed to keep popping up in my mind, no matter how many times I tried to ease my worries.
When they called on Tuesday, to give me the results, I took a breathe and waited. The answer was that they didn't find anything new, which made me happy. One thing off my list to worry about. The other problem was that I was having trouble with my PC and didn't know how to fix it. On top of that, my expensive printer wasn't working properly anymore and I couldn't fix that either. So, I finally called "Doug", my tech guy, and he came over and fixed my PC. As far as the printer, he said he would suggest that I purchase a new printer because it would probably cost me just as much to have mine repaired. So, I purchased a new one and attempted to install it.
You guessed, I couldn't do it. I tried many times and it just wasn't working and I still had to hook it up to my laptop as well. It is a wireless printer. So, in desperation, I called "Doug" once again and he came to my rescue. He is such a good person who also suffers from a chronic illness. He hooked the printer up to my PC and to my laptop. Now I can print once again, as well as, scan and make copies. Now I'm a happy lady once again.
That all took place over the period Monday through Thursday evening and I'm glad that it's all fixed. My nerves have been very bad this week and that is certainly not good for my heart condition. Hopefully now I can relax this weekend and give thanks that my problems are now solved. At least for now they are and I hope for a long time.
I am sure many of you had a lot of worse problems then I did, but with a weak heart, it's a bit different for me. I do hope that, like me, you've solved all your immediate problems. Thank God I'm not still raising children because I have absolutely no patience anymore, not that I ever had much in the first place.
I hope you all have some fun things planned for your weekend. I don't have anything planned, but that's a good thing for me. I'm sure I will spend time on my hand embroidery and perhaps I'll get started on my handmade Christmas cards. I looked over some things today, so I will know what I'm doing when I do start. I think I'll only make about fifty of them this year. I still have some left over from last year, so I'll use them up first.
Have you been doing anything creative? I do hope so. I found some other projects I'd like to get started on, but just haven't had the time or mostly the energy to start them. I have to get my manuscript to the publisher and I'm having trouble changing the format for them. Nothing new there, is it? I'll keep working at it and if I can't do it, I'll see if anyone can help me.
Have a wonderful weekend and plan indoor activities, as it's to be a wet weekend here on the East Coast of the US. Be safe always and God bless each of you.
Susan
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