I've been thinking...

Hi all,

I've been thinking a great deal lately about my life.  Maybe it's because in two months I'll be turning sixty-six years old.  I realize, that by today's standards, that's not old, but for someone born with heart disease, it is.  About a year ago, I read a book, who's author was also a York Catholic High School graduate.  I didn't know him personally, as he was about five or six years younger than me.

The book was a gift, to me, from the librarian of YCHS.  This man's Father passed away from cardiac disease when he was still quite young.   It told the son's story of how he never really knew his Father, because he was only about 13 when his Dad passed.  He went on to say how as he grew up and later after marrying, he became very health conscious.  He exercised regularly and both he and his wife ate healthy foods.  He wanted to break the health risk which passed from both his Grandfather and his Father.  I thought he sounded very positive and that was a good sign.

Well, at the end of last week, I saw his obituary in the newspaper.  He was only fifty-nine years old.  Yes, he lived longer than his Dad and Grandfather, but not by much.  That made my very sad.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I am so grateful that I'm still living, when in all actuality, I was very close to death back in 2006.  It just got me to thinking about different things.

Then today, there was another school incident here in Pennsylvania.  A young sophomore took two knives to school and started stabbing other students.  Finally the principle got him on the ground, and although he, too, suffered injuries, he got the knives away from the young man.  This child was only about fifteen years old.  He's still just a child!  I sometimes wander what is happening to our children today. 

I realize there is a lot of "bullying" being done, both in school and on the Internet.  Where are the parents of this children, and I'm speaking about both the child doing the bullying and the victim.  Have they, the parents, stepped back from what's going on in the life of their child?  Are children left alone too much?  Is there interaction between parents and children today?  I find it so hard to believe when a parent says that they had no idea that their child is a bully or the victim of a bully. 

I'm sorry, but it's the responsibility of parents to know what's going on in their children's lives, be it good or bad.  There simply is no room for bullies in this world.  I have absolutely no patience for bullies, be it children or, worse yet, adults.  It's a sign of weakness and low self esteem. 

Please, if you have children, you need to take time every day, to sit down and talk with them.  Know what their moods are and if they seem upset, or if their schedules change in any way, confront them until they open up to you.  My heart goes out to all those victims of bullying, as well as to their parents.  It has to stop, one child at a time.  If the parents of those doing this bullying would demand better behavior from their children, perhaps we could eliminate bullying from our world.  Wouldn't that be wonderful?

I've also been thinking about what my next writing will be about.  I still haven't decided on anything in particular.  I did tell my good friend that I'd help her with a piece on MS.  She's lived with all the ailments that develop with having MS, and it's been very hard on her.  But, I'm so proud of her because she hasn't given up; she hasn't let depression get her down, even when she experiences one thing on top of another.  I think she could be a wonderful help to those suffering from MS, who are confused and sacred. 

Living with any chronic illness isn't easy, not for the sick person and not for their spouse.  I know this first hand.  I realize how my being chronically ill has affected the life of my husband and I'm so sorry for this, but there's nothing I can do about it.  He's finally been doing things by himself and he's now accepted my limitations, which makes me very happy.  He is my husband and I love him and he didn't deserve to have his life change so much, but then, neither did I.  But why not me, I'm no more special than anyone else in God's eyes.  He loves us all equally.

I hope the remainder of your week goes smoothly.  May God be with each one of you.
Susan

Hey, what have you been up to lately?

Hi all,

Well, I do hope everyone had a great weekend.  Mine was fairly quiet, but good.  I tend to enjoy the peaceful and quiet days.  Since I spend a lot of time alone, I'm used to being with my own thoughts.  Of course, when I'm working on a writing project, whether it's a novel or a booklet, I need to have the quiet.  It's hard to write when there's a lot of activity going on around you.

I'm sure most of you had to work today.  For me, it was my normal Monday, doing laundry.  I finished the table runner that I was working on for myself, over the weekend.  It is all done by hand.  I wanted to do something different.  Let me know what you think about it.  Here's a photograph of it.

Now, I'm on to my next project, which will be a Christmas gift.  I already started it today, and it's coming along nicely.  I haven't started on any writing projects as of yet.  I'm just not sure what I want to write next.  Perhaps a fourth novel in my series.  You can check out the first three right here on my blog.  They, plus a dozen more of my books and booklets are available on Amazon.com. 

I've been thinking about going with a publisher, who will publish and also market my next book.  I'm just not sure yet, what way I want to go.  I can't just depend on my family and friends to purchase my books.  I certainly don't want to twist any one's arm to buy one.  I haven't used a publisher who will also market my books in the past, because it's not about making a lot of money.  No, I'm not rich.  I write because I love writing.  God has blessed me with creative talents and I need to use them.  It's my way of giving back for my good fortune. 

I was thinking last evening about perhaps hand creating Christmas ornaments this year.  My husband and I give each of my daughters, son-in-laws and grandsons, a special ornament every year.  We've been doing this for many years now.  I used to hand-make all of them, but haven't created any since 2006.  That was the year I became chronically ill.  Perhaps this will be the year I once again start hand making them.

So, where do your creative abilities lay?  Don't say you don't have any, because I know you do.  Every one of us has creative abilities.  You just need to discover what yours are.  So many people think that if you're creative, you have to write, craft, paint or draw.  That's simply not so. 

Creative abilities include many other activities.  Spring is slowly coming.  How about getting out in your flower gardens.  Pick and choose which flowers you want to plant, what arrangement you'd like to use, what color scheme you'd like to use, on so on.  This is being creative!  Or, how about rearranging a room in your home.  Redecorate by changing out your wall hangings, the paint color on your walls, your curtains, etc.  That too is being creative. 

There are so many ways one can choose to be creative.  Just pick one and dig in.  You may just have creative abilities that you never knew you had.  You won't know until you try.

How's the weather where you are?  We've had quite our share of rain lately.  It rained, off and on, all day today and is to continue into the evening and over night.  Then we may have two days without rain, but rain definitely is in the five day forecast.  Oh well, it is April and you know the saying, "April showers bring May flowers!"  That's why you need to get started on your flower beds.

Well, whatever you choose to do with yourself, make sure you find some time to relax and just stay quiet for awhile.  I hope your week is a good one for each and every one of you.
Susan

Hello and how is everone this fine Friday?

Hi all,

The weekend is fast approaching us and I'm sure for many of you, that's a big relief.  It's been so dreary and rainy here lately, so I'll be happy that Saturday and Sunday are to be better.  I think all this rain and drizzle is affecting my sinuses.  I've started with the draining once again.  Ugh!  My husband went golfing on Wednesday and is having a hard time with sinus drainage, also.  I suppose it's the start of the allergy season, already.  I'm not liking that at all!

What have you all been up to lately?  Of course, I mean in your spare time, not while you're at your place of employment.  I am currently working on a table runner, which is coming along well.  It's very time consuming, though, as I'm doing it all by hand.  After finishing the two wall hangings for my step daughters, I needed something else to do.  I know I've said it before, but I love to sit in front of the television set and do hand sewing.  It makes me feel good and keeps me from picking at my finger nails, which is a bad habit I have.

If you haven't had a chance to check out my newest book, "Generation to Generation:  Passing it Onward," I hope you will take some time over the weekend to do that.  It's about Ethical Wills; what they are and how to create one of your own.  I am offering it at a sale price on Saturday and Sunday only.  You can go to Amazon.com and enter my name in the search column.  All of my books will come up that I am offering for sale.  I also have a page, here on my blog, concerning the book.  Feel free to check it out. 

I soon need to decide what my next writing project will be, as I need to keep busy.  Perhaps I'll start an art project.  I haven't created any art pieces for quite some time now.  I have all my supplies, I just need to think of a good project.  I love doing something in color, but I also love creating a picture just using a pencil.  It always amazes me how you can accomplish so much with just a pencil.  I'll have to think some more about this before I start something.

So, how about you, what have you been doing lately?  I hope you're soon start something, even if it's working in your flower beds or starting to prepare a small garden in your yard.  That's being creative, also.  How about a do-over for one of the rooms in your house.  That, also, is being creative.  You don't have to be a pro at what every you're doing, you just need to do it the best you can.  That's all anyone can ever ask of you.  Sometimes, just okay, is good enough, too.

Well, whatever you will be doing over the weekend, I hope you will remember to keep an hour or so just for yourself.  It's important for you and your family.  Have a great weekend.
Susan

What to do next????

Hi all,

Hi everyone.  How are you all doing?  I hope the answer to this question is 'good'.  Well, we're on the downward slope of the first day of this week.  I do hope you all had a wonderful day today.  I remember how busy Mondays used to be when I was still working a full time job.  But, the good part was that it always went very quickly.

If you haven't guessed what today's topic means, here's the answer.  I can't decide what project to start next:  a new novel, a piece on heart disease, an art piece, or a new hand sewing piece.  Well, actually, I've already started a new hand sewing project.  It will be a runner for my dining room table and it will be totally done by hand.  But, that won't stop me from starting a writing project.

It was very nice outside today and tomorrow's to be nice also.  It's to be in the low sixties but then on Wednesday, through next Monday, it's to be only in the fifties with a chance of rain five out of the seven days.  I was so surprised last evening when I went to bed, to see we had at least an inch of snow on the ground.  Of course, by lunch time today, it had all melted.  Hurrah!

Well, the two handmade wall hangings that I made for my two Stepdaughters, are on their way to California.  I hope they like them.  They were made with all vintage handkerchiefs from their grandmother.  I don't get to see them, and their families, very often, but I care about them very much.
I'm glad I could do this project for them.

I truly don't know how my life would be without my creative abilities.  They bring so much satisfaction and purpose to my life.  I don't have any aspirations to be a famous writer, artist or anything else.  I just love doing creative things and I want to do the very best I can, with the blessings God has bestowed upon me. I simply can not just sit around the house feeling sorry for myself.  Yes, my life is very sedentary since I became chronically ill eight years ago, but I refuse to let that get me down.  I truly don't feel I have anything to feel bad about.  I'm still alive and able to enjoy each day God gives me.  I feel so blessed!

If you are chronically ill, I know it changes your entire life, but please don't just sit around feeling sorry for yourself and your lot in life.  God does have other plans for you, but if you don't open your heart and your mind, you won't find out what those plans are.  It's true, you're normal life doesn't exist anymore, but there must be something you can do to give back for the gift of life.  Please think seriously on this. 

Well, I hope your week will go well for you.  If you have to go to work every day, just be thankful that you have a job.  Stay strong and be safe always.
Susan

Hi, friends!

How's everyone doing today?  Here in York, it's a rainy, ugly day.  It's supposed to be that way through the weekend.  Oh well, that's better than snow, don't you think so?

I'm in the process of trying to figure out just what my next creative project will be.  I'd like to start another writing project, but I'm not sure if I want to start another novel or do a non-fictional piece.  I'll have to think some more on that.

In the meantime, I finished two wall hangings that I was working on for my two step-daughters.  They are completely done by hand, using vintage hankerchiefs from their grandmother, who was my husband's mom.  I love doing hand-sewn pieces, especially during the winter months.  Here's a picture of both of them.

 

I'm sorry, the photographs don't do justice to the hangings.  I suppose it took me about four hours each to create these.  I hope they like them and will treasure them always.

I think I may enter a writing contest again on WOW, which stands for Women On Writing.  It only costs $10. to enter and I have until May 31st. to complete the piece.  Have you ever heard of this web site before and if you have, have you ever entered any of their contests?  (www.Wow.womenonwriting.com)

I also am a member of www.Fanstory.com.   I have quite a few of my stories listed on this site.  Basically when you join this site, you read and rate other people's stories or poems.  I don't know how good I am at rating other folks work, but I do know when I like something and why I like it or not.  I appreciate all the coments I get in reference to my work, also. 

I also spend time on www.facebook.com , as well as all the time I spend here on my blog, http://susanlappmellottauthorartist.blogspot.com.  Some times I wander where the time goes in a day.  Of course, I still have my laundry, cleaning and cooking to take care of during the week. 

I wander how other creative folks out there manage their time, especially if they also hold down full time jobs.  There's no way I could do all that, not at this time in my life.  Being chronically ill means I get tired very quickly.  Mornings aren't bad for me, but seeing that I don't get out of bed until about 8:30 am.  Until I am ready to start whatever I'm going to tackle that morning, I only have approximately two hours left until lunch time. 

I do spend some times during the course of the afternoons, either writing or doing hand sewing.  Sometimes I will go up to my craft room for forty-five minutes or so after lunch, but I get lower back pain very fast in the afternoons. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  I have completely accepted my life exactly as it is right now.  And if my health starts to get worse, I'll accept that also.  I'm at peace with myself, my health, my abilities and my God.  I'm happy and content with the life God has blessed me with now.

I hope the rest of your weekend is restful.  Stay safe and God bless you.
Susan

What day is it?????

Hi everyone,

I'm sure all of you know the answer to that question.  Of course, it's "Hump Day."  Even though it doesn't matter one way or the other to me, I know that for all of you who are working full time jobs, Hump Day is a welcome sight.  You are now on the downward side of the week.

So, what have you all been up to lately?  I've started working on a new hand-sewn project.  My husbands Mother passed away two years ago and he brought some vintage handkerchiefs home with him the last time he visited his Father.  So, my project is to create two wall hangings or table toppers
out of them.  First I washed, dried, and ironed all of them.  Then I picked out the ones that would be suitable for this project.  I then cut them in four pieces, using only the corners.  I tried to use a two color theme for each, but I didn't have many colored ones to chose from. 

I am going to make one for each of my husband's daughters.  I thought maybe they'd appreciate having them, since the hankiesbelonged to their Grandma.  I now have all the hankies hand sewn onto the felt backing piece.  Next I need to sew some beads on here and there.  After that, I will hand sew the backing piece of felt onto the fronts, overlapping the back to make a border on all four sides. 

This isn't a new hand-made project for me.  Some years ago, when I had my own craft business, I made at least eight of these.  I gave one to each of my daughters for Christmas and kept one for myself.  The rest I sold.  I made a nice profit on them, although it took me hours upon hours to complete them.  Mine hangs in my living room.  The ones I am making now are not quite as large as the earlier ones.

Here's a picture of mine:

It makes me feel good to be doing something constructive while I am sitting watching television in the evenings, especially during the cold winter months.  Of course, I work on either writing projects or some other creative projects all year round. 

My newest book, "Generation to Generation:  Passing it Onward" is now available on Amazon.com.  It's about Ethical Wills.  If you've never heard of them, this book will explain exactly what they are and how long they've been around.  Actually they've existed for centuries now.  I will also give you some various ideas on how to create one for yourself.  I made one for each member of my immediate family in 2012.  It was very important to me to have something like this to pass on to my loved ones.  I will have a few soft cover copies for sale.  If you'd like to purchase one, let me know.  Otherwise you can purchase or borrow one by going to www.amazon.com and entering my full name in the search block.  All fifteen of my books will come up for your viewing.  Of course, you can only purchase them for electronic reading on amazon.  Also, did you know that you can read books on most any electronic device.  You will need to download the app on amazon before purchasing or borrowing it.

I haven't decided what my next writing project will be as of yet.  I suppose I'll take some time to think on it.  I'd be lost if I couldn't write or do something creative. 

Although I'm ill, I thank God every day that I still have the ability to do what I love most:  being creative.  I was reading an article in the paper about a local man who has an eye disease, which has rendered one eye totally blind and the other partially blind.  He is only in his forties, but he hasn't let this disease get him down.  He and his wife have started their own business.  He says that he couldn't just sit around every day and collect disability.  How great is that?  You don't hear that often these days.  I'm sure he's a God loving man, too.

I do hope that each and every one of you will use your talents wisely.  God gave your talents to you because He knew you'd do great things with them.  Please don't waste your talents, no matter what they are.  Make the time to do what you love doing, the thing that makes you feel good about yourself.  Don't feel that you're too old to start something new, because you're never to old to do what you love.  If I can do it at my age and with my illness, then so can you.  Good luck!
Susan

Happy Saturday!

Hi all,

I hope that today and tomorrow are two fun filled days for each of you.  I also hope that you make at least a little time just for yourself.  Alone time is so very important to each of us.

Well, I've finally got my newest book, "Generation to Generation:  Passing it Forward," on Amazon.com.  This book contains information on Ethical Wills; what they are and how to create one for yourself.  I first heard about an ethical will back in 2012.  It took me some time to research exactly what they were and then I started writing my own ethical will.  I made a personal copy for each member of my immediate family.  Then I presented their copies to each of them on Christmas Eve.  I'm sure it didn't mean a whole lot to my grandsons at this time, but hopefully some day in the future, they will cherish them.  At least that's what my hope is for them.

So, right at the present time, I'm not working on any writing projects.  I am going to print a few copies of this book to sell to a few of my close friends who'd like to have a physical copy.  I also want to retain a copy for myself. 

I suppose that my next project will be a writing project, but I'm not sure what direction I want to go as of yet.  I do have to get back to finishing my hand-made greeting cards.  I only have about a dozen or so to complete yet.  They consist of 'get well', 'thinking of you', and 'sympathy' cards.  It's a shame how many sympathy cards I send in a years time.  I guess that's to be expected as one gets older.  Most all of your siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends are your age or older.  Dying is a fact of life as one reaches their mid sixties and onward.

How's the weather where you are today?  Here, the temperature is in the upper 50's to low 60's.  The sun is shinning brightly and there's very little wind.  Just about all the snow is gone now.  Of course by Wednesday of next week, we are to have another snow storm coming our way.   Ugh!  I'm not ready for hot weather as of yet, but I'm sure as heck ready to have the snow end for now. 

What have you been up to?  Anything exciting, challenging, creative or new?  Springtime is here and with it comes "new beginnings."  Not just with the sprouting of new flowers popping up from the ground, but soon the trees will start developing leaves on them and the grass will, once again, turn nice and green.  Of course, then comes the time to mow your grass and care for those flower beds.  But, I'm sure that for the first two or three months, most of us don't mind doing those chores.  It's only when the intense heat and humidity comes that we detest those two particular chores. 

It has been a long, cold, snowy winter, but I'm not sad to see that it will soon be gone for now.  I love the change of the weather.  I always have.  I can't imagine ever living any place where it's either warm or cold all year long.  I so look forward to the change of each season as they come and go.  Of course, I've always lived in South Central Pennsylvania, so that's all I know. 

Well, once again let me wish you all a good and pleasant weekend.  Remember that tomorrow is the Lord's Day.  Spend time with your families and do something just for yourself.  It's so important to your health.  Be safe and be happy.
Susan