What's next?

Hi all,

Is this May or February????   I heard on WGAL weather, that it's to get down in the low thirties or high twenties tonight.  What's up with that?  I know I've said it  before, but I'll say it again:  The weather is the one commodity that we humans have absolutely no control over!  So, that means, that we have to take whatever comes as far as the weather. 

Well, Monday is fastly coming to an end and 2013's Mother's Day is over for another year.  I hope all you Moms, Grandmas and any woman who's responsible to a child, had a great Mother's Day.  I didn't get to see my daughters on Mother's Day, because my husband and I weren't home until supper time, but my youngest came in this morning with an edible arrangement for me.  In case you don't know what that is, it's an arrangement of fresh fruit on skewers.  It was beautiful and I had some of the fruit for dessert tonight.  It was yummy. 

The truth is that my three daughters tell me many times throughout the year that the love me.  I'm very secure in my relationship with my girls.  I can't tell you how proud I am of the three of them.  The are wonderful Mothers.  When I see them in their Mother roles, I know that I've passed onto them all the values, morals, honesty and love that my dear Mother taught me.  My six Grandsons are very lucky to have them for Mothers. 

I suppose for many of you it was back to work this morning.  Even though I don't work outside the home anymore, (actually, I don't work much in the home either) I am a creature of habit.  So, that being said, Monday is laundry day for me.  So, now you know what I did today. 

How was your day?  I remember very well, that Monday's were very busy days at work.  The good thing about that was that it helped the day to pass very quickly.  For that I was always grateful and I'm sure you are, also.  If you work a full time job, I hope it's doing something that you enjoy doing.  There's nothing worse than having to go to work every day to a job that you hate.  If that's the case with you, perhaps you should start trying to find a new job in a field you may enjoy.  Of course, I do know that it's not easy finding jobs today, but just keep checking out the want ads, and have faith that one day you will find a job you enjoy doing.

As for me, I hope to get back onto my writing tomorrow.  At least, I'm going to make the effort to do some writing.  I hope you enjoy the rest of Monday and that tomorrow is a great day for each and every one of you.  God bless and keep each of you safe.
Susan
My husband brought home these flowers for me last week.  Aren't they beautiful!

How was your day?

Hi all,

Well, that's the big question for today.  How was your day?  I hope it had some fun, some enjoyment, some rest and some love in it.  Mine certainly did.  It started out with a Mother's Day breakfast, in honor of, of course, us Mothers.  This was the fun part.  Next came the rain so we watched television, that was the enjoyment part.  Then came lunch with a bit of sun, then came more rain, and that was the rest part.  The love part came practically all day, because I got to spend most of the day with my husband.  Now I'm tired and he's going to play bingo and cards with some friends.  All in all, I'd say it was a good day.  It could have been worse, we could have argued all day! 

I'm sure some of you are thinking, wow, it doesn't take much to make it a good day for her.  You'd be right, it doesn't take much to make me happy.  I've learned, over the years, to make the most of the simple things in life.  I used to worry about just about everything, but not anymore.  I have enough really serious things to worry about, so I certainly try to let go of the little things.  They just aren't important to me anymore.  My husband doesn't understand that about me.  He still cares about every little thing. 

I do hope that your day was as fulfilled for you and mine was for me.  If you've been running around all day, between errands and kids, I do hope that you'll find some time this evening for yourself, or at least for you and your partner together.

 I have to tell you that time goes too fast not to make the most of every minute.  That doesn't mean that you need to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off, every minute of every day.  Some of the most enjoyable times for me, is when I am totally alone, with no distractions at all.  No noisy television or radio playing, just me and my thoughts.  I know what I want to do with the rest of my life, how about you? 

I've spent so much time with just God and me.  I stopped asking and talking and just listened.  He showed me what He wanted me to do with whatever time I have left on this earth.  So, that's what I'm trying to do.  Obviously, one of those things is writing this blog.  My purpose is two-fold.  First, it is to share the blessings that God's given me with all of you.  Second, is to promote myself and my writing.  I feel this is what God wants for me to do with my life. 

I have no desire to be a famous writer or to make a lot of money.  We have enough money to live a good lifestyle, we have plenty to eat and a good roof over our heads.  There really is nothing else I need. 

Just a few words about tomorrow.  As you all know, tomorrow is Mother's Day.  As for me, my beloved Mother died almost seventeen years ago.   I love and miss her very much.  She's in my thoughts so much of the time.  She taught me so much:  honesty, faithfulness, love, loyalty, to be humble, good values and ethics, and to love God with all my heart and soul.  So, Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  I love you!

To all you, Mother's, out there, may I wish each and every one of you a happy Mother's Day.  It is your day!  Enjoy it to it's fullness.  If your Mother is still living, tell her how very much you love and respect her.  Tomorrow just may be late!

Susan

What's on Your Mind?

Hi all,

Well, tomorrow is Friday and another work week will be behind us.  What's on your plate for the weekend?  I hope it's something fun.

I've been thinking of all the high school graduations that are fast approaching.  I have two grandsons who are graduation from York Catholic High School on the 31st. of this month.  It's funny, I can remember when they were first born and it seems just like yesterday.  It's hard for me to believe that soon four of my grandsons will be out of high school.  That leaves only two to go.  Of the two left, one will be a Junior next year and the other will be a Sophomore.  Man oh man, where did the years go.  Then I have two older ones who are already out of high school.  The oldest Grandson will be twenty-two this June and the next to the oldest, will be twenty-one.  All those years have just flown by so quickly.  I have pictures of the six of them together, when they ranged from about four years old to ten years. 

I'm sure they'd say that the past years have gone slowly, but just wait until they get older.  It will be then, that they realize just how fast life passes.  When you're young, you think your grandparents and parents will live forever.  Then, all of a sudden, your grandparents are gone.  More time flies by and then both of your parents are deceased, also.  It's at this time, that you really look back over your life and wonder where all the years went.  It's funny, how we really don't appreciate so much until we get old.  Then it all makes perfect sense to us. 

I'm not worried about getting older, as I have put my life into God's hands.  He will be there for me no matter what direction my life takes.  He always has been right by my side.  I'll be sixty five in a little over a month and a half.  I'm so lucky to still be alive.  I have no idea what God's plan is for me in the future, or how many years I'll still be on this earth.  I don't believe He's done with me yet.  That's why I beat death back in 2006.  I'll continue to do my best to do His will for as long a period of time He permits me. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and as always, I hope you find some time just for yourself.  You need it and the benefits will go toward making your family happy.  Have some fun!
Susan

Same old, same old!

Hi all,

I hope you all are doing well today.  I'm finally getting back into my normal routine after being away for four days last week.  I spent Thursday through Sunday in Ocean City with some of my lady friends.  We had a good time, despite the weather being very cold and windy.  I would have enjoyed it much more, if I could have sat on a bench out on the boardwalk for awhile.  No such luck this trip. 

I'm sure I will have plenty of nice weather to sit out on the terrace or on the boards in September when my husband and I are in Ocean City. 

I, once again, took some marvelous pictures of the sky while there.  I don't know what has gotten into me, but I seemed to be obsessed with taking pictures of the sky out over the ocean while in OC.  I also took some good ones on the drive home.  I don't know why we never take the time to stop and look up at the sky on a day to day basis.  Any ideas?  I guess we just make ourselves too busy.

Anyways, since returning home, I've gotten back to my writing.  I'm working on rewriting some of my short stories for both children and adults.  I thought I'd redo them, making them a bit longer.  Most of them were stories I wrote while taking one of my writing classes. 

I can't explain it, but writing has, kind of, taken over my life.  I especially enjoy writing non-fiction stories.  It makes me feel good to write from my heart.  Either way, fiction or nonfiction, I just love to write. 

I think writing relaxes me.  How about you?  What do you do to relax?  Whatever it is, I hope it's something fun.  Perhaps you cook, or walk, or create something, or dance, or read, or take a hot bath.  I, for one, love my hot tub bath every evening.  It relaxes me so much and when it's cold, it warms me up.  How much more could I ask for?  Let me know what you do to relax. 

I realize that if you are raising children, your time is not your own very often.  I know how hard it is to just get fifteen minutes to yourself.  But, you need to try to make this time for you!

For most of you, the fact that tomorrow is 'hump' day will make you smile.  I hope, for all your sakes, that the coming weekend brings nice weather.  Maybe you will be able to find time to just sit outside and feel the warmth of God's sun on you. 

I hope your work week goes well for those of you working.  For those who are retired, I hope you do something special for yourself this week.  Find you creative side and create something.  It will make you feel good about yourself. 

Have a great week!
Susan

What day did you say it was?

Hi all,

I have to keep reminding myself that today is Sunday.  My Red Hat ladies and I spent the last four days in Ocean City, MD.  So, I sort of lost track of what day we were on.  We had a good time, at least I did.  I hope they did as well.  They got to do alot more than I did, but with my heart problems, I can't do alot anymore. 

My best friend, Donna, and I spent most of the time together.  She, also, has health issues which make it hard for her to walk much.  So, we entertained ourselves.  She and I go back a long way, so we always enjoy spending time alone.  It would have been better if the weather wouldn't have been so cold and windy, but we all made the best of it. 

We did go to the casino on Friday.  That was fun!  This time I actually won twenty dollars.  One can not go to a casino with the idea that you're going to win money.  If you do, that's great.  Some of us won a bit and some lost the money they'd set aside for this purpose.  But, be we had a good time.  We really weren't there all that long, because it doesn't take long to loose a few dollars.

Tomorrow is Monday.  For me that means doing a couple loads of laundry.  But, I really don't mind doing laundry.  My husband and a good friend of his, are going to a York Revolutions baseball game tomorrow.  I'm glad he has someone who will be able to join him.  I hope they have a good time and enjoy the game.

I suppose for many of you, tomorrow will mean heading back to work.  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I understand the weather around here was beautiful.  Too bad it wasn't like that in Ocean City, MD.  As you travel to your jobs tomorrow morning, remember the saying, "This too shall pass!"
Some day you're children will be all grown up and you will be able, hopefully, to retire.  Or at least, work a part time job.  The only suggestion I'd make to you about retirement would be to have something already planned to do with yourself.  So many people have worked their whole lives and when they retire, they don't know what to do with themselves.  Sometimes there isn't enough money to do much of anything, so they sit at home and get depressed.  Everyone tells you that you need to plan ahead with your financial matters, but don't tell you that there's a lot more to it than the money planning. 

Well, needless to say, I didn't get any writing done over the weekend.  So, this week I certainly need to getting cracking on my writing.  I have a few children's books to format before I can place them for sale at www.amazon.com.  I'll keep you informed as to when they are available.

You can check out the nine books that I already have for sale at Amazon by going to the pages, right here on my blog page.  Or you can go directly to www.amazon.com do a search using my name:  Susan Lapp Mellott, and all nine of them will come up.

Well, you have a few hours left to this weekend, so enjoy it.  If you haven't set aside some time for yourself this weekend, do it now.  It will make you feel better.  I hope you all have a great week.
Susan

I just love it!

Hi all,

I"m sure you're wondering what I just love.  Well, the answer to that question would have to be watching the sun come up out over the ocean.  I don't know what's got me so stirred up lately with the sky, but I love it when the sky has those white puffy clouds or some type of configuration going on up there. 

I especially love it when there is a red streak going across the sky.  I can't wait, at times, to just look up at the sky to see what beauty awaits me there.  I have taken so many pictures of morning, daytime and evening skies.  So, I have to ask myself, why has it taken me so long to take the time to observe the sky? 

Well, I suppose the answer to that question would be that I just never took the time to look up.  One of the most glorious sights that God has given us is right up there in the sky.  Take a look.  Walk outside, stand still and just look up.  You'll be amazed at the marvelous sight you just may see.  I know I am every time I look up at the sky.

Actually, God has given us so much beauty in this world.  We're just too busy to bother to look around us.  Especially right now, everything has just turned green.  All the trees are either budding or have already formed leaves.  We may not have a lot of meadow areas any more, but if you look at the ones we do, they're beautiful.  All the spring flowers are in full bloom and they are so beautiful.  Look out the car window when driving along side a river, creek or stream.  It's a beautiful sight to behold.  Better still, take your camera along with you and take some of the most beautiful pictures you'll every see! 

Tomorrow is Saturday.  Perhaps you can find some time to grab your camera and seek out some fabulous photos.  Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Susan

I know what I've been doing lately, how about you?

Hi all,

As for me, I've been writing, writing and writing some more.  Since I found out that children's books are in demand on Amazon, I've gone back to the stories I wrote some years ago for children.  I've had to rewrite them because they were just short stories.  But, I must say, that I'm enjoying doing that. 

I never had any covers for these stories, so I've also had to create front covers for all of them.  I really enjoy doing this.  But then, I enjoy doing anything creative.  I've already placed three more children's books for sale at www.amazon.com.   You can purchase any of them for electronic reader or even for your computer.  You can also join KD, Kindle Direct, which is sort of like a library.  Go to Amazon to check it out. 

Well, what have you been doing lately?  I'm sure for a lot of you, it's been going to work every day to make a living.  How well I remember those days.  I used to think that I never had any time for myself and I suppose I really didn't.  It was either work, raising three daughters or some other responsibility that kept me busy.  How well I remember those days.  I can honestly say that I don't miss those days at all. 

If I lived in a perfect world, I wouldn't have a chronic illness, but I don't.  So, I've learned to accept whatever this world throws at me.  Really, what choice do I have?  From where I'm sitting, I only have two choices:  accept and embrace my illnesses or lay in bed and beg for death to come.  As far as I'm concerned, the second choice is not a choice at all!  I hope you all feel that way, too.

Well, hump day is about over for another week.  I'm sure that's a good thing for all of you who are still working.  I know I always felt that way when I was still working a full time job.  I don't miss those days at all.  Tomorrow you will be on the downward side of yet another week.  Keep the faith for the weekend will be here before you know it.

Take care and stay safe.
Susan