I'm so happy!

Hi all,

My newest novel is now available on Amazon for electronic reading. 

It's a fiction novel about a twenty year old cold case, that involves the disappearance of an eight year old little girl who disappeared off Squirrel Island, while vacationing with her parents.

Three close lady friends visit Squirrel Island and make some discoveries which make them wander if their finding might help the police to finally find out what happened to Sabrina Nelson, twenty years ago.  The police detective who was in charge of the case is now retired, but he joins the Boothbay Police, as well as the three ladies and they do some exploration of their own.

You can purchase this novel for electronic reading by going to www.Amazon.com and entering my full name into the search block.  Note:  The cover of the book on Amazon is not the same as this one.  This is the one I am using for the actual published book.

Thanks so much.

Happy Day After Hump Day!

Hi all,
How's your week been going?  Mine has been a bit testy.  I am, in no way, very computer smart.  I know how to do what I usually do, but not much more then that.  Two days ago, my printer started acting up.  I've had the same problem once before and I got it working again, but not this time.  The cartridges that hold the colors and the black that's used for photographs will work, but not the black one for documents.  And, I will tell you that I use that one very often.  I took it apart and cleaned everything out, but it still won't work.  And, to make matters worse, now my PC isn't working either.  I decided to download Windows 10 this morning, but I was having trouble with the remote router.  My husband went to Staples to buy a new remote.  What they sold him is not what we had before.  So, later in the day I tried one of the old ones (remote routers) and it works, but I don't know what the password is for our internet router.  To say the least, I am frustrated.  I could probably get one of my Grandsons in and have them fix it for me.  They know so much more about electronics then I do.  Boy does that make me feel old.  Also, until I get on line on my PC, I can't contact the help line for my HP printer to see if they can help me.  Ugh!!!!!

At least my laptop is working, although it's slow for some reason.  I know I need to invest in a new laptop, as mine is quite old now.  I am running Windows Vista on it.  I love electronics when they work well, and when they don't, I get so frustrated.

I'm still working on my hand embroidery, which is very relaxing to me.  So, I guess you know what I will be doing this evening.  I need to calm down and relax.  All this stress isn't good for my heart condition either.

I got a few more of my Christmas gifts this week.  I've also made quite a few Christmas gifts since the first of the year.  I am so glad that I have these creative abilities to keep me busy.  It's also good for the pocketbook. 

Well, I was trying to download my newest novel to Amazon for electronic reading yesterday, but I was having trouble getting it from the current file to the one they need me to change it to.  So, I'll keep on trying.  That's what I was going to do today on my PC.  But you already know how that went. 

Can you believe that October 1st is just a week away.  I am glad to see that fall has arrived.  I was so happy to see those 80 degree temperatures leave us.  I enjoy the weather when it gets down into the upper 50's over night and then into the upper 60's and low 70's during the day.  Now that's my kind of weather!

Have a good Friday and I hope you all have wonderful weekends.  Be safe and may God bless each one of you, always.
Susan

Happy Sunday!

Hi all,

How was your weekend?  Here in PA, USA it's Sunday evening.  So, for us, the weekend is almost over.  Of course, you all know what that means:  Tomorrow is Monday and the start of another work week.  I'm sure that most of you are still working full time jobs, but for me, I became disabled over nine years ago.  No, I may not have to work, but believe me, back then, I would have rather worked than to have become disabled.  So, don't think that us folks who are on disability have it easy.  Being ill is not a fun thing to be.  If I could have had my health back once again, I would have gladly gone back to working a full time job.

I was just listening to the weather report for tomorrow and what a change for then.  We are to have some rain, with a high in the 60's to possibly 70.  Wahoo, no eighties in the next seven day forecast.  That's what I wanted to hear.  We still have our central air conditioner running and I'd truly love to be able to shut it down for the season.  Ten more days and it will be October and I wander what's with the temps. in the 80's!!!!!

We just came back from a very relaxing and peaceful vacation.  We went to OC, MD and stayed in an oceanfront condo on the boardwalk.  Since I am ill and can't go out and walk the boards anymore, this permits us to sit on our deck and still be on the boardwalk.  I love it when there are few folks down there.  It's so peaceful and quiet then.  Just sitting on the deck and seeing God's beautiful beach, ocean and sky, comforts me so very much.  I was perfectly satisfied just sitting out there and snapping photographs of the sky as it changed from hour to hour.  It truly amazes me, all the beauty that's right there before our eyes.  I'm sure that many of the people on the boards don't even look at the sky.  What a shame that is.  I wasn't sad to leave and return home because by Thursday, the bikers starting arriving in OC by leaps and bounds.  They are so noisy and I'm not just speaking about the motorcycles. 

I was glad to get back to my home.  Neither my husband or me really did much of anything today.  He did run to the grocery store to pick up some groceries, but I stayed home.  We were watching "Saddle Up Sunday" on the Inspiration channel most of the day and he told me that he should be doing something instead of just watching TV.  I told him that he's still on vacation so relaxing was okay.  He agreed.

What have you all been up to lately that is creative?  Now that I'm home, I need to get my manuscript to the printer.  I just need to recheck the layout once again and make any necessary changes then off it goes to be printed.  I can't wait to see it as an actual book.  I will then submit it to Amazon for electronic reading as well.  I'm anxious to hear what you all think about this one. 

I'm still working on my hand embroidery work and I soon have to start thinking about some layouts for my hand made Christmas cards.  I will make about eighty of them and I like to use many different designs.  I know that's a lot, but I love creating them.  You should try it some time!

I hope your weekend was an enjoyable one for you and your family.  Stay well and may God bless you always.
Susan

I just had to share this with all of you...

Hi all,

This is what we watched last evening, within a ten minute time frame only.

For ten minutes God bestowed this beautiful sky before us.  I have to wander how many people actually took the time to just look up and see it.  I'm so glad we were two of the few.  God has truly blessed us every single day of our lives and for this I give thanks always.

Just thought you may enjoy these.
Susan

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

Happy Saturday everyone,

How's your weekend going thus far?  I hope all is well.  It's been raining, off and on all day.  Well, actually earlier this morning, the sun was shining but then the clouds took over the sky.

Where do you see beauty?  Is it in the face of a child; the face of a beautiful woman; a marvelous painting; a beautiful home; a fabulous car?  Well, I see beauty when I see the sky and the ocean.  Here's some photos I took which just amaze me.  How about you?

I hope you like the photos because this is where I see beauty.  It's God's beauty which He gives to us all.  We have the opportunity to see it every single day, but we seldom bother to look up and see God's beauty. 

I hope you will stop and take two minutes to look up at the beauty that God's gives us every day, even on a rainy or snowy day. 

Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Susan

How's everyone doing?

Hi all,

How's your Tuesday going thus far?  Mine has been quite normal, which is just how I like it.  I woke up feeling pretty good, as I had a good, solid night's sleep.  That's just what my body needs on a regular basis, but that doesn't always happen.  I am doing two loads of laundry, because it needs to be done, and since it won't do itself, it's up to me!

I am so thankful that I finished my bedspread, but I'm still working on hand embroidering designs onto hand towels for Christmas gifts.  I purchased a "Holiday Crafts" magazine the other day.  I've gone through it already and I must say there are a few crafts in there that I wouldn't mind tackling.  Some fo the suggestions are wonderful, but since I really don't do a whole lot in the crafting field anymore, I have no interest in them.  The ones I like involve hand made embroidery and the like.  How about you?  Do you hand make any of your Christmas gifts?  If your answer is not, then my next question would have to be:  Why not?  People love receiving hand made gifts, especially in this day and age, as many people don't do crafting any longer.  It's so satisfying to me, to see something I've created out of nothing.  Try it, you just may love doing hand crafting and that also includes home baking as well.

Fall as finally arrived, even though it doesn't feel like it outside.  But, I for one am happy to see the summer go away until next year.  No, I truly don't like the freezing cold weather, but I can stay indoors most of the time, so it doesn't really bother me.  I do love to see the first snow flakes of the season, as they calmly fall down from the clouds.  It always gives me a peaceful feeling as I watch those beautiful tiny snow flakes fall and cover the ground.  God does give us His beauty in so many ways.  Unfortunately, many of us don't look at it as beauty.  We have so much to give thanks to God for in our lives.  Unfortunately so many of us tend to look at only the negative things in our lives and not the positive and beautiful things that God has put directly in front of us.  If you want to change your life, try living every day with Gratitude and Acceptance to God.  When you finally can do this in earnest, your life will change.  No, you won't have anymore money and bad things still happen.  But, you will look at your life from a diffent perspective.  A very peaceful existence will take over your life and you will give thanks for every single little thing you now have.

I suppose that all of you who have school age children have already sent them back to school.  It's been so very long since I've had to prepare children for returning to school, that I am not sure I'd remember all I'd have to do.  For this, I give thanks always.  I hope your child or children have a good school year and stay out of trouble.  It's funny how trouble just seems to find some kids, now isn't it?

Well, I'm going to close for now.  I hope you all have a good week and a prosperous one at that.  May God be with you always and keep you and your family safe.
Susan

What makes you feel happy?

Hi all,

Most Wednesday evenings, my husband goes to the Senior Center to play Bingo, while I stay home.  I'm not a bingo lover, and I don't mind, at all, that he goes.  I am especially happy that he went this evening, because he's been working wayyyyy tooooo many hours this week, thus far.  I will admit that neither of us like that happenstance.  He needed to get out of his office and go and relax doing something that he loves to do. 

So, on those evenings, I get on my laptop, with my feet up on the sofa and turn on the Solid Gold Oldies on television.  I love listening to these old tunes from the fifties and sixties.  Those were the years I grew up in and music and dance was my greatest joy during that time period. 

Listening to these old songs takes me way back.  Back to a time in my life that was so carefree and a time when I had basically no real responsibilities.  (Not like it was when I became an adult, a wife and a Mother.)  I so wish I could still get up off this couch and dance along with the music.  I truly miss dancing so very much, especially to the music from my childhood. 

A bit earlier they played one of Bobby Darin's songs.  He was always one of my favorite singers back then.  But, not just my favorite, but also my Dad's.  Usually Mom and Dad liked to listen to the tunes from the Big Band Era, but they were subjected to American Bandstand on a regular basis.  That being the case, they knew the singers and groups from the 50's and 60's.  My Dad just loved to hear Bobby Darin sing his songs.  To this day, if his song, Mack the Knife is playing on one of my CD's, I can close my eyes and I still can see my Mom and Dad doing the jitterbug to that song.  Whenever that happens, the tears just come, even thought it fills me with joy. 

My Mom died 19 years ago and my Dad passed 16 years ago, but for me, it just seems like yesterday some times.  There were no better parents I could have ever asked for.  Oh they weren't perfect, but then none of us are, now are we.  As parents, we all learn by trial and error.  I believe that I am the strong woman that I am today, only because of my parents.  I always hoped that I would be able to be even half the great Mom that my Mom was to me and my siblings.  They were always there for me, always...  I miss them so much.

How about you?  Are your parents still living?  If so, tell them how very much you appreciate them and how much you look up to them.  Unfortunately, many of us don't tell them how we feel while they are still alive and then they pass away and it's too late.   Don't make that mistake.

I hope your Wednesday went well for you.  Mine was very productive in it's own way.  I hope the last two work days of the week go fast and that you have a great weekend.  Be safe and may God remain with you always.
Susan

PS:  Here's one of the kitchen towels I embroidered as Christmas gifts.

Finally, it's completed!

Hi all,

How's your day going?  My day is happy because I finally finished my summer bedspread.  It took me a few months, but I loved every minute working on it.  Here are some photos of the finished project.  Sorry the pics didn't turn out better.

There are a total of thirty squares on it.  I suppose that I will not use it now until next summer, since it's almost fall and I'll be needing the heavier quilt on the bed.  Don't you want to make one for yourself?  Come on, you can do it!  It just takes time and it will relax you!

Susan