Good evening, everyone!!!

It has been a week that's for sure.  Recovery is slow going, but going.  Some chest pains here and there, some swelling from time to time, and just plain not so peppy at other times. 

We've had bonfires every night since I've been home.  Bug even made me roasted marshmellows last evening, :)  Lady Bug insists she goes on at least one of my walks each day, :)  And Little Miss Ava has been over the last few days to visit grandma, :) 

That is the best recovery plan I can think of, watching my grandchildren play and laugh together. 

Hubby and the oldest son went this evening and picked up more firewood.  So we're pretty ready for the up and coming summer months. 

I haven't really gotten much done other than my walks and resting.  If I could clear my head enough I would work on some writing but I hate feeling clouded over when I sit down to work.  I've weaned down to two pain pills a day now, so hopefully we can wean that down to none by the end of the weekend. 

Lady Bug checks where the weres got me every morning to make sure I'm healing, LOL.  Her expression was priceless the other day when I came home with a big cut across my neck.  She definitely has a new perspection of the werewolves, and I can honestly say, she's not real happy with them for doing that to her grandma.

It has been beautiful here though.  Temps in the 90s.  We could use a bit of rain but for now I'll take the warm days and nights. 

Our garden is looking good right now.  I'm actually able to grow my onions and potatoes this year so far!!!  Very excited about that one, let me tell ya!!!  We still have a few more things to plant which will have to wait until next weekend since we didn't finish up on last month's full moon phase.  We even have moon and stars watermellon coming up again this year, and we didn't even plant those, :) 

Our beans are looking fantastic this year too, :)  Thank goodness because we planted extra this year to make sure the kids all got what they wanted out of them. 

Hubby has been so wonderful this year helping me with the work out there.  Monday evening he helped me kick off the weeding so it would be out of the way until I am back on my feet.  I honestly think he's enjoying it this year as much as I do. 

As you can tell there really isn't a whole lot of excitement going on around this place.  Instead, it is more of a relaxing week of doing just enough and no more.

The daughter has been wonderful helping me out around here this week.  She's done all the cooking and cleaning and ensured I do what I'm supposed to do.  She's helped keep my stress levels way down which has been fantastic. 

It feels really weird though even the pets are stuck to me like glue since I've returned home.  The dog gets very upset if she can't be at my side.  Lexi, the cat, is back sleeping with me.  Hell, the dog even insists on going for my three walks a day and if she doesn't get to go, she stands at the gate and whines.  No, my pets aren't spoiled rotten, that's just some unfounded myth.  But the way they've been acting one would think I am the only one around here that pays attention to them, which is so not the case.

Well I really should quit boring you to death and go sit out by the fire for a bit before I hit the sack.

Everyone have a lovely and safe weekend!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Good evening, everyone!!!

Well it's all over.  Surgery went well.  The nurses were very impressed with my healing abilities, :)  They said I was healing much better than they expected.  Hubby was up at the crack of dawn again this morning to come down and get me.  So we were home before this household even became alive yet, :)

Everyone has been really good about keeping to my orders and have been such a wonderful help.  The daughter has helped me figure out my pill schedule, since I am now required to take 3,000 mg of calcium and vitamin D a day, plus all my other vitamins they put me back on and my antibiotics.  So for someone who forgets to take her vitamins on a daily basis this could definitely get difficult until it is made a habit.

We've commensed to starting my three times a day walking also.  The nurses said I needed to do that to keep the swelling and blog clots down to a minimum.  So the daughter and I got in one walk on the road and two in the backyard today, :) 

Yeah, life is changing again for me.  But it is going to be a positive change if I can help it, :)  I put the bestie through hell on this one though, LOL.  She told me today I wasn't allowed to do anything like this again, LOL.  Poor girl got no sleep that night because she was so worried.  I keep telling her I'm too mean nobody on the otherside wants me, LOL.  Does she listen, LOL.  Naw, I adore this woman. 

We had a wonderful day.  Hubby decided to go ahead and just take one of his vacation weeks this week, so this evening we had the kids and grandkids over and built a fire.  The little ones roasted marshmellows and had smores, :)  It was an enjoyable day all in all.  I treasure every moment I have with these wonderful people.  There is nothing more fulfilling than to love and be loved.  Since I've given over to a more relaxed positive lifestyle, I've found so many treasures I never knew existed right in my own world. 

Friendships are more rewarding.  Love is enhanced.  I appreciate life so much more.  I am very blessed since I began seeking out my blessings rather than not seeing them at all.

Since I stay to my own business and let others tend to theirs, I don't stress over things I have no control over, but rather, find ways to deal with what I can control within my life and deal with it.  This is the only way to live life for me.  Trying to live the life of someone else is not in the cards for me anymore.  Not even my own children's lives.  They live their life in the manner that suits them and I respect that.  I live my life in the manner that suits me, and they respect that.  It is a give and take.  We are seperate lives joined together by this love and respect one toward the other.  There is nothing wrong with that. 

Don't get me wrong, I will tease them when there's one of those "I told you so" moments, :)  I wouldn't be their mother otherwise.  I also give my thoughts when asked, the occasional advice and the 'what were you thinking' moments, :)  But I'm a mom and I always will be.  However, most of my children are grown now, it's time I let them be grown and go forth with the life I had planned for myself after I got them to adulthood.  My career of choice, writing. 

Don't get me wrong.  I was always a proactive mom, so letting go was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.  But there comes a time when we have to say, "I've done my job, and the job description has now changed." 

Hence the reason for learning how to accept and deal with the changes life throws at me.  There are some things in life I would love to hold onto forever, but I will have to hold onto those things through the memories made and not fight the changes that come with life. 

I have to say these changes in life have made me a better person for me.  They've helped me focus on what I need to focus on and get away from the dramatics I brought into my own life.  I started with assessing me and my life.  Understanding self better and learning to apply positive thoughts into each day.  It was hard at first, but now, it comes easier with each day.  The things that used to eat away at me, I let wash off my back and take into account the source of where it came from.  Those who love me for me accept me for who I am, and well, frankly, I want to surround my life with love and respect.  Nothing more nothing less. 

So before my eyes slam shut from this pain killer drug induced sleepiness, I should really sign off of here for tonight.  Sorry if my ramblings tonight made no sense, I am chaulking it up to the pain killer before bed, :)

Everyone have a lovely night!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Good evening, everyone!!!

In twenty-four hours this part of life will be behind me.  My visit to the weres is tomorrow morning to early to even think about now.  In twelve hours I will be checking in, :(  In eleven hours I will be under the knife.

I spent today preparing things around the house.  Daughter said I'm nesting for surgery, LOL.  I believe I drove her nuts today with my list of things to do.  But she was great, helped me get things done and even insisted I eat something since she'd NOTICED I hadn't ate all day. 

Yeah, that girl keeps on me, LOL. 

My ereader is almost completely charged up for tomorrow and Wednesday.  Man, it takes that baby a long time to get a full charge when she's down to none.  Hubby is home most likely for the week already.  Daughter is putting in her last day of work for three days.  I'm off for the next two weeks, :(  I'll miss those girls I'm tellin' ya.

My plans for the up and coming week now is rest, relaxation, and critiques with some writing mixed in there, :)  I've got the back porch ready and waiting for some relaxing afternoons in the lovely weather.  The plants have been tended to, but hubby will have to weed that garden I'm afraid unless I get out there before dark tonight, which is still possible.

All this nervous energy has to go somewhere, ya know.  There's only two loads of towels to fold and I'm too jittery to sit at the computer today for any long periods of time.  Yeah, I have to be moving when I'm like this. 

Lady Bug got me a lovely miniture red rose bush yesterday.  So we got that planted in the flower bed this afternoon.  She seen it at the store yesterday and told her mom she needed to get that for grandma, LOL.  That child needs a lot of things, :)

We kept Little Miss Ava all night last night.  There was hot dogs and ice cream for dinner, :)  Oh yeah and cookies for dessert, :)  She is so precious.  I laid there this morning with my eyes closed just listening to her talk softly until grandpa called and I had to let her know I was awake, :)  She does so good when she spends the night.  She knows our routine and goes with the flow, LOL.  When she's ready for bed, I get to rock her, :)  It's so cool because she's the first grandchild of mine who enjoys rocking to sleep, :) 

Bug is now registered to start school in the fall.  He's probably the only child on the face of the earth that cried because he didn't want to go to registration, LOL.  Once he got there, he was like, see ya later, mom, LOL.  Go figure. 

It doesn't seem possible all these little ones have grown so much over the course of such little time.  When you hear the words, "They grow up too fast," take heed, those words are very true.  I can remember the day my own little ones were born, and now here they are, grown and starting their lives.  And mom, doesn't feel any older than she did back then, well, with the exception of all this medical nonsense that never plagued me in my twenties, :(

Well I really should get off of here and find something else to occupy my time with.  I think the dryer just buzzed so should get that out of the way, :)

Everyone have a lovely next few days!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Good afternoon, everyone!!!

Sorry I've been MIA lately, it's just been insane the last few days.

We had Baby Landon's first birthday party yesterday, with his actual birthday being last Wednesday.  So there was cupcakes to bake and birthday cake to bake.  Have I mentioned I love birthday cake, :)

Then there was my last few days of work for a few weeks.  It was the last few days of break for them so it wasn't hard work or anything.  I just wished I could have helped the crew prepare better for the up and coming next round of classes.

All that is left is to deep clean the house in the next couple of days, keep Little Miss Ava over night, and cover a bit of business.  Then I'm ready for a few days of rest.

I will not be available for several days this up and coming next week.  So expect blogs to be delayed a bit next week as well as updates on twitter and facebook. 

I undergo the knife next week.  Hubby and daughter will be off for a few days tending to things, but I never ask them to tend to my business world.  Not that I don't trust them to do it, but because this is just my thing to handle.

It's all good though.  I should be back on my feet a few days afterwards from my understanding.  Another life change will be in order because there are just some things that are not an option in my life.  But we've already prepared for what we can prepare for, and with the wonderful help of family and friends this should work out well. 

I've spent the past year or so keeping up with health issues as you know.  On Tuesday, I will have my thyroid completely removed due to an undetermined nodule.  So the just in case senerio is to remove the whole thing so I don't have to go under the knife twice.  My preference and my thyroid doctor's suggestion. 

Of course there is a game plan, because I like to be prepared.  However, it is a game plan that I know will take will power and a whole lot of encouragement.  Thanks to my wonderful bestie, she is prepared as well, :)  Ready to kick me in the butt if I need it, :)  I can always count on her to help me keep focused.

The daughter is also a big help in other areas of this ordeal.  She has already helped me prepare for the new diet I will be on forever.  As well as the exercise program that I need to begin when I am well enough to start it. 

Well I guess I should get off of this computer and begin the rest of this day.  There is shopping to be done, chores to be finished, and a life to be lead.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Good evening, everyone!!!  Okay, so good morning, it is what it is, :)

I saw this video on a fellow SMP author's facebook page and had to share it.  There are just some men who SHOULD be on a cover of a romance novel and yes, Jimmy Thomas is definitely one of them :)

Weebly has changed some things up again, so this blog and my over tired body are truly having issues tonight.  Not sure if I like this change or not, but I'll try it out and see what happens.  I'm not sure if it will affect the way you see things or not, but working on a blog and posting it are going to be a challenge for this old lady tonight.

It's been a very laid back kind of week this week.  I've done a bit of reading, a little editing, a tiny bit of new writing, and still need to focus on some critiques in the next few days.  I also need to do a revamp on the house seeing as I won't be doing much over the course of next week. 

I went to visit the vampires today.  Lady Bug asked as I was preparing to leave if I was going to see the werewolves, LOL.  I told her no those were next week, I was going to see the vampires today.  So when I got home she had to see my vampire bite, :)  Hubby's a bit concerned how Lady Bug will take seeing grandma after a visit to my were's, LOL.  He told me I was going to scare her to death when I come home with a bandage on my neck, LOL.  I don't think it will be as bad as he thinks.  For months now we've called my surgeons the werewolves and the blood doctor the vampires.  She's been pretty cool with it, even when I wasn't able to talk too well for two days after the last biopsy. 

I swear this little girl is going to grow up to be a doctor one day.  Of course a doctor and a princess, :)  We can't forget she plans to live in a castle and marry a prince one day, :)  She's really into this listening to your heart thing and of course she's always listening to stomanches, LOL.  She always seems to be intrigued by the bandages that come from a doctor's visit too, :) 

Now Bug on the other hand doesn't worry over such things.  He is more interested in helping his uncle take over the world, and getting two lego battleships for his birthday, LOL.  I'm pretty positive at this point in time too, Little Miss Ava probably is more worried about who has her boo or where her Bug is, LOL.

The lack of taking my vitamins is catching up with me.  It's been a week now and I am feeling it that's for sure.  It doesn't help matters either that I'm not allowed to take anything for headaches besides Tylenol, so it's been a rough week of sorts, seeing as this happens to be a week where a headache has creeped up every day or so to dampen my day a bit.

Okay, enough whining.  Just watch the video above and you'll forget all about the nonsense in this blog, :)

Everyone have a lovely night!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Good afternoon, everyone!!!

It has been a real busy weekend for us around here.  Saturday we had our monthly writing meeting which always takes an entire day.  I walked away from there this Saturday very pleased with being a part of one of the best writing groups in this world. 

The authors belonging to this chapter are some of the most wonderful individuals you will ever meet.  They give of themselves and their time to help one another succeed in this business.  They give one another encouragement when all feels lost. 

So as I rode home I reflected on the day.  This newfound energy that overwhelms the chapter at present is ever apparent.  This is what a writing chapter is all about.  Learning and educating one another in what is otherwise the loneliest business in the world. 

This is a part of life that can only be understood completely by those who walk this path.  So many misconceptions about this business, especially today, are our there in the general world.  It's good to laugh with other authors over our personality disorders, and can completely relate to one another on the level we are more than one person.  We live two lives within one.

For instance, J.J. Devine has a whole world of her own.  She spends hours at the keyboard of a laptop either working on her next novel, editing a current one, polishing the next one.  She has a style all her own.  She is business minded.  She is always preparing for the next step in her career.  She adores listening to the voices in her head and gives them free reign of the keyboard.  She loves creating and every aspect of the creative world.

Joye Konig on the other hand, well, she adores family and friends, playing with her grandchildren, sitting on the back porch enjoying the day.  She loves working in her flower beds and garden.  She enjoys her faith and being the woman she's become.  She loves her pets.  She is enjoys remodeling and filling her home with a welcoming atmosphere.  She adopts children in the sense that the dozen children she wanted years ago has come in abundance and then some. 

Which leads me to Mother's Day.  This year there were some surprising little things that happened.  Not just my blood children celebrated with us, but others let me know I'd touched their lives as well. 

I adore family in both my realms, both as J.J. Devine and Joye Konig.  My children put up with both aspects that are me, and yesterday, I realized how much.  I am very blessed to have the life I have.  I may be moody at times.  I may be totally insane at other times.  Pull my hair out when life seems like nothing is going right.  But when it all boils away I see the results of touching lifes in a positive manner, a goal I've worked toward for a long time now.  What this has done for me on a personal level is confirmed to my inner self, making positive changes for my life does more than affect me, it affects my enviroment, those around me, and life in general.  It does make my world better one baby step at a time.

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

***The 2012 Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest!***

We welcome you to help us celebrate the 22nd anniversary of Indiana’s Golden Opportunity (IGO), one of the Midwest’s premier contests. The Indiana chapter of Romance Writers of America® (IRWA) has a well-deserved reputation for offering detailed, encouraging comments to our contest entrants from experienced professionals. Our four-page score sheet is designed to help entrants identify the elements of storytelling at which they excel while pinpointing the elements that require more attention. This means entrants will receive feedback that will help them create a quality polished manuscript. Many past winners have successfully sold the manuscripts they entered in the IGO, and we like to think we played a part in that. The contest is also a great way to prepare your work for Golden Heart. IGO attracts some of the most well-respected names in the industry as category and final judges.

CONTEST CATEGORIES AND FINAL JUDGES FOR 2012

Historical Jesse Feldman Mainstream w/ Strong Romantic Elements Angela James Paranormal Suzie Townsend Romantic Suspense Aubrey Poole Single Title Latoya C. Smith Young Adult* Anna J. Webman Erotic Romance Michelle Paulin Best-of-the-Best Meredith Giordan (First-place winners in each of the seven (7) categories will continue to the Best-of-the-Best round.)
* Young Adult entries do not have to be romance.

DEADLINE: All entries must be received by July 8th. For your convenience, IGO accepts only electronic entries.

AWARDS: Category winners: The top entry in each category will receive $50 in cash and a certificate. Best-of-the-Best Award: The entry judged best overall will receive $100 in cash and a certificate.

ELIGIBILITY: IGO is open to any author unpublished in novel or novella-length fiction by a non-vanity publisher in the last five (5) years.

IGO uses Romance Writers of America® (RWA) guidelines for PAN-eligibility to determine publishing status. Anyone who has either: (1) earned at least $1,000 in the form of an advance on a single novel or novella published by a non-subsidy, non-vanity publisher; or (2) who has earned at least $1,000 in the form of royalties or a combination of advance plus royalties on a single published novel or novella published by a non-subsidy, non-vanity publisher is considered a published author and is not eligible to enter IGO.

Note: Members of IRWA are not eligible for entry. However, Indiana residents who are members of RWA, but not members of IRWA, are eligible to enter. Check out the IGO Contest Rules and complete the IGO Entry Form to enter. Good luck, and thank you for helping us celebrate the 22nd Anniversary of IGO!

Good afternoon, everyone!!!

It has been an interesting week.  Format issues got under my skin a bit yesterday evening, but I took it with a grain of salt, handled it, and moved on.  Things wouldn't have been so bad yesterday had I remembered I had eye drops for those tired of eyes, :)  But it's all good. 

I feel refreshed today though.  Got a good night's sleep.  Edits are in the copy editor's inbox.  Part of the plans for this week's meeting is under the belt.  Now, just to finish up a few things, print off a few things, and get back to polishing and new writing until the next round of edits hit my inbox. 

I've been biting at the bit to get back to work on some critiques too.  So yep, I know where my next bit of free time will be spent, :)

I'm really considering at some point this weekend taking a movie night also.  It seems like it's been a while since I watched a movie I just wanted to watch for no apparent reason, :)

There is quiet on the horizons for this grandma, :)  The daughter is checking into houses for rent.  Of course she assured me she would NOT be leaving until after my surgery is over, and I told her not to let things hold her back.  I appreciate her concern though, I really do.  So we've agreed if they do start moving before my surgery then she should go ahead and start the moving process so they can clean out that storage unit and not have so much to do at once.  I also promised I would help her with her arrangements, :)  She cracked me up, telling me, "I can't help it, I'm a momma's girl," LOL. 

It will definitely feel different having the place to myself more often.  Of course I'll still be babysitting when needed, but, it won't be like it has been for the last couple of years.  I adore being a grandma, so I imagine this place will always have grandchildren underfoot, :)

What I do look forward to though is the writing time that will allow me, :)  It's hard to work on new writing with a house busy all the time.  So this will give me that free time to just lose myself in writing again.  Something I've been patiently awaiting for some time now. 

Life seems to be moving in a good direction.  Sure there are ups and downs all the time, but the direction that it's headed in is definitely worth it all. 

I have to say once again, I am very thrilled with how supportive my family and friends who are more like family, is with the launching of my writing career.  I know most times they just don't get what I'm talking about, but they let me ramble on anyway, :)  They won't allow me to procrastinate too long in any one area of life to ignore what I love doing best.  Which is a good thing.  They are my biggest cheerleaders, :)

Well I really should quit stalling around here and get to work.  Sure the house needs a good going over, but it will have to wait until tomorrow, :)

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Good afternoon, everyone!!!

Life has been crazy over the last couple of days.  Seems like the closer I get the more Lady Bug insists we share those little moments in life.

So we had a pedicure yesterday morning.  Chatted about a four year old's life.  Baked cookies in the afternoon.  Chatted about all the interesting things in a four year old's world.  We done our hair.  Chatted about the perseption of a four year old's view on what flowers do for their surroundings.  Yes, we talked and talked and talked.

Hubby came home in the afternoon for election day.  He and I took the grandchildren with us to go vote.  Which opened up a whole new discussion on "Why?" grown ups go stand in a long line, then go hide behind a booth, press a few buttons, and then go home.  It does sadden me to see so little of the younger voting crowd at the polls.  Things aren't going to change if you don't get out there and let your voice be heard, folks. 

I don't know how many I seen on facebook who admitted they didn't get their voter's registration card but today with a law passed they were ademently against, they feel they have the right to complain.  Sorry to tell you, folks, complaining on facebook doesn't fix the problem.  Getting your voter's registration card, getting to the polls when they're open, and VOTING, is how you do it.  Put your words and attitudes where it counts and stop whining and do something.

See I have a very low tolerance rate for those who whine and complain but are only willing to use a social network and not something real.  Need I remind you, ladies, a great many women out there fought long and hard and even done jail time for your right to vote.  These women never seen voting for women in their lifetime, but they fought a long hard battle to see this change happen.  Their hard work paid off and we now have the right to exercise our opinions through the polls.  So get your registration cards and get off facebook for five minutes to get to the polls and let your voice be heard.  Otherwise, quit complaining because frankly, if you wanted to see change bad enough you would get out there!!!

You'll notice I hate kitchen table politics and bitching.  I've always felt (and anyone who knows me will tell you this) if it means enough to you to complain around the kitchen table then it means enough to you to get up from that table and get out there and take the steps to make the change.

I'm not a political woman by any means.  I cringe when I think of politics.  However, it is through politics we can right the wrongs in this Country.  So to some point we all need and should hold onto some deep convictions within politics.  There are a good many voices out there wanting to be heard, and are heard using today's social networking system.  Unfortunately, that's only going to help get the word out, not make the changes. 

They say, 'Be the change you wish to see."  Those words are so true.  Every change that has ever taken place has started somewhere, with one innocent thought.  But, it is hard work and effort that sees it from thought process to fruitration.  Whining and complaining hasn't ever changed a thing only made the whiner and complainer more miserable.

So please, get out there, let your voice be heard where a difference can be made.  It only takes a little time and effort.

Okay stepping down off the soapbox....

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Good morning, everyone!!!

Yeah, I decided to call it for what it is and just admit to myself I usually see more of the day than I care too.  Go to bed at the crack of dawn, get up just after the crack of dawn these days.  I might as well face it, nighttime is NOT in my vocabulary any longer.

Don't you hate when life forces you to just be honest with yourself???  Man, I do. 

I spent the day working on getting those edits wrapped up.  Didn't get done tonight but I will tomorrow.  I had  chapter responsibilites all morning, children all day, and work tonight but I still managed to pound out all but 86 pages, so that should be a breeze tomorrow, oooopppppssss, today, :) 

Starting today I am off everything but tylenol (which never does anything even for a headache for me) until 14 days after surgery.  No vitamins, no deecent headache medicine, no sinus meds (now watch I'll come down with the head cold from hell in the next month).  Yeah, and no herbals either, so it really sucks, can't even go that route if a migraine sets in.  Yeah, we're two weeks away from my visit to the werewolves.  The planning has begun for the week of surgery. 

Hubby reminded his boss and of course his boss was cool about it.  We've got most of the garden in, so that's cool too.  Daughter has arranged for time off to help me and take care of things around here.  Now I just have to follow the rules for the course of the next month and we'll be good, :)

No, I don't do rules very well, but hey, if this is going to help me be more energized than I've been in awhile, I'm willing to try, :)

Not much really went down today.  I spent most of the day entertaining the little ones and working on edits.  I did manage to fold some laundry.  While I was talking to hubby this morning, Lady Bug came in and announced, "Grandma, I have so much to do today."

I couldn't resist so I replied, "Honey, what do you have to do today?"

"Well, I have laundry to do...and...dishes...and clean house."

I thought hubby was going to drop over with laughter.  Of course she now has him convinced she spends way too much time with grandma, LOL.  But hey, what can I say, her and Bug help me out when I am trying to get things done.  You gotta watch them though, that young man will grab a wash cloth, saturate it with water, then head to clean the tv, not good, :) 

Well I'm already almost an hour behind on my bedtime so I should really sign off of here and hit the sack.  Hubby will be calling to wake me up in a few hours and I mean a few hours literally.

Everyone have a great night!!!

Blessing to all!!!