What's Up With You?

Hi all,

Well, for all you working people, today is 'hump' day.  Of course you all know that means it's Wednesday and you are officially on the down spin to the weekend.  I dont' work outside the house anymore, so whether it's hump day or not, it really doesn't matter to me. 

What have you been up to, anything creative?  Basically for me, that's my what I'm good at and what I'd rather do than anything else.  My hand made greeting cards are coming along very well.  I do so enjoy creating them and I hope that the people I mail them to, enjoy getting them. 

I've been working on my sequel novel, "Crafty-Cruise With a Capital C", the past few days.  If you haven't read my first adult novel, "Sassy With A Capital S", you can purchase it for Kindle at:  www.amazon.com.  It's a great story about friendship between women and they find themselves with  a mystery to solve.  I also have a children's novel available for Kindle at:  www.amazon.com. 

I've commissioned my daughter, Angel, to draw a picture for me to use in my new novel.  She's a very good artist, although she rarely does any drawing anymore.  I think that's sad, but I know she's very busy, what with a full time job and a family.  She does have a on-line business.  Please feel free to check out her site at:  www.angiealbright.athome.com.   It's called 'At Home', and they carry anything and everything you would use in your home.  Their products are a good quality and they are always running super sales.  My oldest daughter, Marlena, also sells At Home.  Her website is:
www.marlenaebersole.athome.com.  Both of them would be very happy for you to check out their sites and purchase some of At Home's wonderful pieces.

Well, I also have one other daughter, Candy.  She has her own business, also, with Tastefully Simple.  If you haven't tried any of their products yet, you really must.  They are great tasting and quick to prepare.  Her web site is:  www.TSbyCandy.com.  Or, perhaps you'd want to check out my Grandson's website at:  www.amway.com/coriebersole.  He sells Amway products.  If you haven't seen or heard about Amway for many years, let me tell you that they are completely different than they were years ago.  I am certainly impressed with their products, especially the 'green' cleaning products.  Check it out, you will be impressed, too!

Well, I guess I've tooted my families horns enough for now.  But, seriously, you need to find out what your creative abilities are.  We all have creative abilities, some of us use them, and some don't.

Have a great evening and tune in for my next blog.
Susan

I'm Moving Right Along!

Hi all,

Well, the weekend is rapidly coming to an end.  I hope it was a good one for all of you.  I also hope that you got to do something nice for yourself, or something fun.  As for me, my weekend was very a very productive one. 

I spent some time on Saturday working on a new card design, which I must admit, was a bit tricky.  I made four cards with matching envelopes, but it took me about three and one half hours to finish them.  At that rate, I'd never get my cards finished by the time I needed them! 

I do enjoy trying out new designs but that is a bit time consuming.  Oh well, they're done now and I got to play with a new technique.  So, I'm not really complaining.

I also spent about two hours yesterday on my writing.  My novel is coming along very well.  I also spent about an hour and a half doing research for it.  Research is a very important part of writing.  One that you can not let slide.  It is essential that anything you may refer to in your novel are actual facts.  Make sure you get all your facts straight! 

I was writing about a musical group (a fictional group) who was playing songs from the big band era.  They were doing renditions of the Glen Miller Band and the Benny Goodman Band.  So, obviously, I needed to do some research on the music those bands played, some title names and so forth.  I couldn't just make something up when those groups were not fictitious.  Keep that in mind if you are planning on doing any writing.  Whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction, all your facts must be true.  Research! Research! Research!

I was just thinking this morning how much easier it is today to do that research.  Twenty five years ago, I'd be going to the library or trying to find some facts in my encyclopedias.  It really is so much easier today.  You just turn on your computer and do a search.  How easy is that?  And how much faster? 

Anyone who is a teenager or perhaps in their early twenties,  has no idea what I am talking about.  They grew up with computers.  I'm not even sure if they still manufacture encyclopedias.  Does anyone else know?  Just wandering!

I hope I get a chance to do some writing every day this week.  I do have a commitment on Tuesday morning and I really must get started on my cleaning.  Although, it's very easy for me to put off the cleaning in favor of writing or creating my cards.  We'll just have to see how the week progresses.

I hope you all have a good week.  Travel safely and don't forget a little time for yourself each day!
Susan

Boy, It's Cold Out Today!

Hi all,

Is it cold where you are?  Well, it is freezing here and it's snowing, as well.  The only good thing about the snow storm is that it's moving very quickly.  It should be out of here within the hour.  Hurrah!  We have about two or so inches.  I suppose I can put up with that much.  Of course, I really don't have much of a choice, now do I?

Today I donated about fifty hand bound novels to the York Catholic High School Library.  I'm sure they will put them to good use.  They have the library for the students, but they also have a small library for the adults at the school. 

Do you read?  I do.  I read every day.  In fact, I just finished one of JD Robb's book and then I started another one by her.  If you aren't familiar with JD Robb it is the pen name for Nora Roberts.  I love her books no matter what name she writes under. 

There are quite a few authors who write under their own names and also under a pen name.  I read that Stephen King said he first wrote under a pen name because he was afraid no one would buy his work.  Boy, was he wrong.  Maybe I should start writing under a pen name.  What do you think?   Although, I truly don't see the need for that.  I suppose I'll just stick with my own name.  What would you do:  write under a pen name or your own name?

My husband took me to Joanne Fabrics and Crafts today.  I needed to purchase some fabric for a small quilted piece I'm going to make to put around the base of the tree in my bedroom.  I'm also going to be working on a quilted runner for my dining room table.  Do you do any sewing, either by machine or by hand?  Of course, being a creative person, I love creating anything. 

I found a new pattern for my hand made greeting cards.  I'm anxious to try it out.  Hopefully this week I'll get a chance to get back up to my craft room to try it out.  I have about one half of this years greeting cards finished.  I love coming up with new styles and patterns.  It amazes me how my projects have improved over the years.  I guess that old adage, ' Practice makes perfect' is true.

Well, the weekend is upon us.  Do you have any special plans over the next two days?  I don't have any commitments, but I do have plenty of things to do between my writing, cards and quilting to keep myself busy.  Whatever you do, try to find some time for yourself.  Some time to do whatever gives you pleasure and lets you feel good about yourself. 

So, I will wish everyone a great weekend.  Keep safe and have some fun.
Susan

Man, Oh Man, It's Cold Out There!

Hi all,

Well, I guess I have to say that Old Man Winter has finally arrived.  My car registered the temperature at eighteen degrees this morning.  That was about eleven fifteen.  I'm sure the wind factor actually brought the temperatures down to about ten degrees.  I have to tell you that I'm not liking this weather at all.  How about You?

I do love having the change of the seasons, though.  So, I guess I have to stop complaining now.  We purchased a new furnace back in November and it's working great.  Now the next large purchase we have to do is to buy a new air conditioning unit.  That's going to happen in early spring.  Hopefully after we do that, we'll be all set with a new furnace and central air unit.  At least I hope so.

I was hoping to find some time today to work on my sequel novel, but it just didn't happen.  This morning I had a doctor's appointment and then this afternoon my Grandson, Cori, stopped in to help us set up an ongoing order account for Amway.  He's fairly new to Amway, but he's doing very well.  He's working his business, giving it all he has.  If you haven't heard about Amway for many years, perhaps you'll want to check out his web site:  www.amway.com/coriebersole

So, hopefully tomorrow will be a good writing day.  I would like to spend about an hour or so in my craft room working on a few more hand made greeting cards.  I've made great progress so far, but I still have a good many more to create.  The only cards I will not make early is my Christmas cards.  I'll wait to start those until November. 

I really love being creative!  It's my passion.  How about you?  What do you do that you are passionate about?  It's what you do that gives you self esteem.  Come on, there has to be something!

My doctors appointment went well today.  I've been fighting a cold, or sinus/allergy problems for the last four weeks.  She informed me that the 'cold' that's going around now, is lasting anywhere from six to eight weeks.  She called in a prescription for me for a nasal prescription.  She thought that would help better than the over-the-counter ones.  I'll try it tonight.  I hope it helps!

I hope you will do something creative soon.  Have a great Wednesday, tomorrow.  Be back soon.
Susan

Back In The Groove...

Hi all,

How is everyone doing on this nice Saturday in January of 2013?  I suppose we should enjoy today's weather, as starting tomorrow it's going to get much colder out there.  Actually, so far this winter, we've been lucky, temperature wise. 

Wow, I can hardly believe that it is the nineteenth of January already.  We're over half way through this month already.  So far, it's been the start of a productive year for me.  How about you?  Have you gotten the jump on anything for 2013?

Today I ordered Christmas gifts for my Red Hat Ladies for next Christmas.  Hurrah!  Not only am I ahead of the game, but I also got great gifts at reduced prices.  You just can't beat that!  To make it even better than that, I paid for them with a credit which I had on one of my credit cards. 

I've spent quite a few hours this week working on my sequel novel, "Crafty-Cruise" With A Capital "C".  It 's a continuation of "Sassy" With A Capital "S". It can be read either with the first novel or separately. 

My husband gave me The Dragon for Christmas.  I don't quite have the knack of it, just yet, but I hope to soon.  I think it will save me time when doing my writing.  I have to buff up on the commands before I start using it in earnest.  Does anyone have one, and do you like it?

My Red Hat Lady Group came to my home today for a craft day.  We had a great time.  We all learned how to make coin purses/card cases out of duck tape.  It was quite easy and they all turned out great.  I fixed a lunch of cheesy broccoli soup and Tastefully Simple Cranberry and Orange Scones.  I made a spread to put on the scones.  For dessert, I used the Tastefully Simple Almond Pound Cake mix with chunky applesauce in place of the butter and I used one half cup of orange juice instead of water.  It turned out great. 

I was having a Tastefully Simple book show for my daughter, so that's why I treated the girls to Tastefully Simple products.  We all had a good time.  I so enjoy seeing my friends.  Each one of them is unique in their own way. 

Well, I'm a bit tired now, so I think I'll hang it up for now.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Susan

Just Get Back To It!

Hi all,

Can you guess from my title, what I need to get back to doing?  If you guessed the answer is writing, you would be correct.  It's been at least two days since I worked on my sequel and I really need to get motivated once again. 

I was asked a question today.  It was:  How do you get all the ideas for your stories?  How do you decide on where the characters are going to go or do?  I explained that I do some preplanning on where the storyline is going and what some of the plots will be about.  I do most of my research ahead of time so I don't have to take the time to stop and research something when I'm on a roll. 

I start using an empty folder.  One with at least four or five pocket pages inside.  That way, I can store all my research in one place.  I also make a character list, any pertinent names that will be used as the story progresses and any other information that will be used over and over as the story moves along.  I type them up and print a copy so I can keep it in my folder along with everything else. 

Doing this will save you time when you come to a spot where you can't remember a particular name or place or some other fact that you've used earlier in the story.  I also type up a character sheet with all the basic facts about each person in the story.  This also saves time later.  I do a separate sheet for each character and her/his family in the book.  This way I can add on any new information as I go along.  It also is a good tool if you are planning on doing a sequel novel using the same group of characters. 

Before I really got started writing the book, I purchased the bar code and ISBN number.  I would have also taken care of obtaining the copyright, but you can't do that until the book is finished.  That's because you need to mail them a copy of the finished book before they will issue you a copyright.  That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but then nobody asked me.  Just my opinion! 

I hope to get the story flowing once again, on my book "Crafty-Cruise" Wtih A Capital "C".  I haven't exactly planned out the ending for this story yet.  But that will come soon enough. 

Whatever you do, whatever makes you feel good about yourself, just do it!  Use those talents that God has given you to bring some good into this world.  Take care and happy thoughts!
Susan

Praise God From Whom All Good Things Come!

Hi all,

Today, of course, is Sunday.  The day for taking time out of our busy lives to thank God for all the blessings He's bestowed on us.  I don't know about anyone else, but I, personally, thank Him every day for He has truly blessed me with the gift of life.

Have you ever wondered what your purpose is in this life?  Why were you allowed to have a safe birth, when so many other babies are either still born or don't even make it to the delivery stage, but are lost by miscarriage?  Why are you still alive today, at whatever age you may be, when every day on the news we hear of children, teens and young adults being killed or dying of natural causes?  Why are you still alive at the age of sixty, seventy or even eighty?  Check the obituaries for the ages of the people who die every day in your city.  They range from infants to the elderly.

Now you're probably asking yourself, just what is her point!  Well, I'm going to tell you what my point is.  I believe that from the moment of inception, God has a plan for each of us.  Some will live many years while others will die at a young age.  I also believe that sometimes God changes that plan according to what He feels is right for us individually. 

By this, I mean that as we develop in body, spirit, intelligence, physically and mentally, we adjust our purpose in living.  Perhaps, in the beginning of our lives, He really doesn't have it mapped out yet, but chooses rather to wait to see what type of person, both mentally, physically and morally we become. 

As you well know, God doesn't make us sick, either physically or mentally.  We, starting from Adam and Eve, chose to do what we wanted, apart from what God's plan was for us.  So, had they not made that choice, there would not have been any physical or mental illness.  We asked to be free to make our own decisions, and now, when something goes wrong, we choose to blame God.  Why?  He just  gave us what we wanted! 

I truly believe that there should be some special 'purpose' for each of our lives.  We were all given talents and an intellect.  Whether we use them for good is entirely up to us.  I believe this world would be a better place to live in, if each of us tried being a little kinder, a bit more pleasant and smiled more.  Instead we growl at everyone, we'll go out of our way to be unkind to people, and some of us never crack a smile.  How sad that this world has come to this! 

How do we change it?  That's a good question, one that I do not have an answer for right now.  I suppose it starts with one person at a time.  I try to put on a smile, even for a stranger.  I try to reach out to those who need a friend, someone to talk with.  I try to be kind to other people and to myself.  I believe that if we practice these things with ourselves and our families, eventually we will begin passing this behavior on to every person we meet.  It's worth a try, don't you think so?

Well, I do wish each of you a wonderful Sunday.  I pray that God blesses every person who reads this today and helps you to 'pass it on'.  I'm sure you've all heard that expression:  "pass it on".  If not, it means to pass on to someone else something good that's been done or given to you. 

God has truly blessed me and today I'm 'passing it on' to you.  God bless you!
Susan