Blog Archives

Little Things, Big Difference

5/29/2014

As we progress through graduation and wedding season, I’d like to do a brief series on things I’ve discovered that make “life in the real world” easier. It doesn’t take long to realize that “cheats” can save you so much in the precious resources of time, money, and patience.

Today, I’d like to share little things that make a big difference. Nobody will argue the benefits of smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Technology is great and has made life easier in unimaginable ways – take it from a member of Generation X who’s seen everything from card catalogs and rotary phones to Google and the iPhone 5S. But sometimes, the smallest things make the biggest difference. Today, I offer 10 small things that make my life better and easier:

Saline irrigations – if you have sinus or allergy problems, this is the single best thing you can do to heal from and prevent illness. If a Netti Pot seems intimidating, they make plastic squeeze bottles that work just as well and can be washed in a dishwasher. Yes, it can be nasty, but I feel so much better when irrigate my sinuses, and it helps my regular medications to work better. It’s well worth it.

Clorox wipes – This is my top cheat, because it’s the fastest way to clean and disinfect your home. Just wiping my kitchen counters can have people believing I scrubbed the place. Best of all, they’re disposable, so you don’t have any cleaning rags to run through the washing machine. It doesn’t substitute for a deep cleaning, but it can go a long way in putting more time between those heavy scrubbing sessions.

External hard drives –These are a bit more expensive, but it’s a worth investment of $100-$150. I can tell you of 3 times when file backups have saved me from hard drive crashes, once at home and twice at work. They’re password protected, easy to set up, and automatically synch and save all changes you save to your files. Plus, many will save your Internet favorites too. Quick and easy backup. You can’t beat that, and the peace of mind it gives you to know your data is backed up with little chance of human error.

USB slots on surge protectors – If you aren’t lucky enough to have a new home where the outlets have USB ports now, then never fear, because you can get a surge protector with this handy function. I did, and love it, because I’m bad about keeping batteries charged. It’s greatly reduced the “oops, I forgot to charge my battery” scenarios.

Butterfly clips – This is a lifesaver for long hair. Sometimes, you need it out of your face, and this is the best, most secure way to pin up your hair and have it out of the way.

Makeup palettes – They aren’t just for teens! Kits with eyeshadow, blusher, and lip gloss are great for adults too, especially when you travel. Plus, the variety of colors give you more variation and ways to match your makeup with your outfit, without having the same old drab colors every day. It’s quick, easy, and makes doing your makeup fun.

Ebooks – Do you really need one more thing to lug around? Ebooks are great not just for writers, but readers as well. It’s great to be able to read books on my phone or tablet and not have one more thing to carry around, or store on a shelf once I’m done reading it. Plus, ebooks are cheaper than hardbacks and sometimes paperbacks too.

Streaming video – I salute iTunes, Netflix and television networks that stream their shows online or thorugh Apple TV apps. It’s great to be able to go online and watch shows at my convenience, without having to worry about setting a DVR or remembering schedules. And it’s a real treat for movies and TV series, because, like ebooks, I don’t have to find a place to store the DVD’s when I’m done watching them. Hooray!

Skin So Soft Original body lotion – An Avon favorite. This lotion has a mild, fresh scent, is cheaper than any decent lotion in stores, and is a bug repellent without smelling like a bug repellent. It’s a win-win. The shower gel is great, too.

The One Year Chronological Bible – If you do a daily Bible reading, this is a great one to try. I’m reading it this year, and it’s great. It’s so much easier to understand when you read things in the actual order of real events. I love it. Best of all, it’s a simple NSV version Bible that’s easy to understand, and is affordable.

I hope this list gives you ideas for how to make your own life easier, whether you’re setting up a dorm room, an apartment, or a new home. Maybe you can find some more. If you do, feel free to share them. People are always looking for neat ideas that make life easier.

I plan to continue this brief series through my next 2 blog entries. Next time will be money saver tips, and after that will be time saver tips. Stay tuned.

That’s all today. Take care. Have a Happy Friday tomorrow and a fantastic weekend.

Bye!

Thank You For Feeding My Muse

5/25/2014

People weren't on their best behavior last week. I don't know if it was the imaginary Memorial Day deadline that people set for themselves to get stuff done at the last minute so they could take the weekend off, spring fever, or just an inability to exercise self control, but whatever the case, humanity wasn't at it's best in my corner of the world.

I could rant. I could post a "shame on you" entry that would have people blushing and meekly putting on their manners (finally) for the next week. I could stick it to you. But instead, in the spirit of trying to take on a better, more positive mindset, I'm taking a different approach. I'm saying thank you. Yes, thank you for being a jerk, for when you are a jerk, you feed my muse immensely. Real life inspiration does more for character and plot development than any of the other "get out of writer's block" tips they have out there.

So to all the people that had the nerve to tell me to grow up/get a grip/it's gonna be ok/get your sh** together when I was having problems, and now they aren't heeding their own advice,

To all the people that got pissy with me when I tried to help them,

To all the people that asked questions and then threw fits over the answers,

To all the lazy people that spent more time making excuses than doing what they were supposed to do,

To the ones that snap "no" to us and then whine, scream, and cry when we say "no" to them just as fast,

To the complainers,

To the whiners,

To the bad drivers,

To the bad attitudes,

To the co-dependents,

Thank you for feeding my muse. While you explain why the devil made you do it, I'll be making money off your inspiration. So thank you.

And before you give me the "but you have to understand!" speech, stop. You don't tell me what to think. That privilege was gone 20 years ago, when I turned 18. I'm an adult. And if you don't have to listen to me, I don't have to listen to you.

Furthermore, if you thought I was weak over losing Ollie and all the medical and other drama with Rick's family, you thought wrong. Upset means I'm a decent enough person to care, not a weakling to be run all over. I buried a dead cat yesterday, right after supper, on a full stomach, without batting an eye. I knew that cat, too. He got hit by a car, and I was sorry he died, but I did what had to be done and it didn't break me - just like the rest of this hasn't. I'm not broken. This resistance is making me stronger. I have my crap together, thank you very much, and I'm ready to kick some a** now.

Honestly, I'm surprised that people are bold enough to act the way they do in front of a writer. But it's like Mom said - they don't think that way. They think they're an exception because they're special. They don't wonder for a minute where the inspiration comes from, until the book is released. And then, well, I wouldn't dare, would I?

I'll leave you to ponder that.

That's all today. Thanks to all who serve our country this Memorial Day weekend. Have a good one.

Bye!

2014 Season Finale Roundup

5/23/2014

Hi folks, sorry it’s been a while since my last entry. It’s been one of those weeks where everything meets resistance and everything is a pain in the butt. I think a lot of people are planning to be out next week, and were pushing to get things done before the imaginary Memorial Day deadline they set for themselves.

Well, TGIF, and that we have a long weekend to recover from life happening all week, right?

As promised, I’m here today with my annual Season Finale Roundup. This is the entry where I give you my thoughts on the TV shows I watched this season. Without further ado, here are my thoughts on the 2013-2014 season.

The “Show that Knocked My Socks Off” award goes to:

Arrow. The second season did a great job building off the first. There was great character development, great plot development, plenty of action, and reminders every week that you don’t have to have a gun to be a bada** and archery can be awesome. I love it. A must see every week. I’m looking forward to Season 3.

Game of Thrones. I know their season isn’t over yet, but I finished reading A Storm of Swords, so I pretty much know where it’s going, and it’s going to be good. Both the books and the TV series are fascinating. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. You just never know what’s going to happen next, which is what makes it so addictive.

The “Well Done” award goes to:

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Like many people, I was lukewarm about this show – until Captain America The Winter Soldier gave us some (ahem) new things to consider. That was the plot twist it needed, and once the Hydra threat was unveiled, a lot made more sense. I understand they had to hold back because of the movie release, and they really are in new territory with linking a TV series to movies. So far, so good with that, and I’m interested to see where this one goes in Season 2.

Breaking Bad. I know it was actually a summer 2013 show that wrapped before this television season opened, and I did blog about the opener and finale for the season. I just wanted to give it a mention here because it was great at maintaining the momentum right through to the very end. I miss this show.

The Things that Make You Go Hmm award goes to:

Supernatural. This season was a letdown for me. It had great potential, but it seems they fiddled and farted it away – until the closing scene of the finale, which held a shock and irony factor that will bring me back next season. Let’s hope they’ll do something better with it for Season 10.

The Americans. I’m still trying to figure out what the point of this season was. Was it all setup for Stan to make his huge moral decision over whether to betray his country or his lover? Or was to set up the “second generation illegals” program? That was a heck of a reveal in the finale and, perhaps, the only thing of substance to happen this season. I’ll have to consider whether to give this one a try again when they start Season 3.

The You Deserved to be Canned award goes to:

Revolution. This show never really captured me, but Rick liked Season 1, so I gave it a try. Over the past couple of months, we both lost interest. There are too many changes in alliances on the show, which makes it virtually impossible to determine who is and isn’t likeable, much less what the heck is going on. That, plus it aired at the same time as Arrow, which is an undeniably strong show. And seriously, if I have to choose, I go with the superhero over the fickle paper dolls every time. Here’s hoping J.J. Abrams will funnel his brilliant energy into Star Wars Episode 7.

The Tomorrow People. I didn’t make it past episode 2. It just didn’t work for me, because it was too cliché and predictable. Then again, it might be that it was made for a younger audience. I guess I wasn’t the only one that thought this, because it’s not coming back for another season.

The I Didn’t Make It award goes to:

The 100. I didn’t make it past the season premiere of this one. I think it was for a younger target audience, much like The Tomorrow People. Plus, all of the characters are criminals, so you aren’t dealing with the salt of the Earth. It’s hard to relate to them when they all piss you off in their own unique way. I don’t know if this show got renewed, but as a writer I’d highly suggest that they give at least half of the characters some redeeming qualities.

Reign. I intended to try an episode of this show, but never did because a friend told me it was basically a PG version of “Game of Thrones.” Well, forget that. Once you’ve been to Westeros, the rip offs are weak and lame. So I saved myself an hour there.

All Things Considered:

I’ll definitely tune in for Arrow, Game of Thrones, and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. next season. Supernatural is on probation, and The Americans is a maybe. As for the new offerings for the 2014-2015 season, nothing is really catching my eye. I’ll no doubt give The Flash a try. I also heard that Marvel has an Agent Carter show coming out, but that one got more of a groan out of me than anything. I guess we’ll see.

What Now?

Now that the shows are in reruns (except Game of Thrones, but it only has a few episodes left), what will I do with my time? Writing. Nonstop to Nowhere, my piece for the Nightlife Anthology coming out later this year, is on a June 30 deadline, and the proofreads just came back, so I’m starting back on that. Obsidian, the sequel to Move, is also in progress, and I plan to work on that once Nonstop is ready to go. I’d really like to have Obsidian ready for proofreads by October, so that will probably be my big summer project. I also want to finish reading the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I just started A Feast for Crows, so I’m well along, with only 2 books left. It looks like I’ll be writing and reading this summer, which is pretty much what I do every summer.

I hope you enjoyed this roundup, and this season of television. Here’s hoping you find great things to do this summer while the reruns free up a lot of our time. I’m sure our television friends will be fine without us for a few months. And we’ll be fine as they rest, too.

That’s all today. Have a Happy Friday and a safe and fabulous Memorial Day weekend.

Bye!

Post Vacation Whirlwind

5/19/2014

Hi everybody, we're just back from vacation. Rick and I took the birds to my parents place at Myrtle Beach, where we celebrated our 16th anniversary. It was Friday, but we stayed Thursday - Sunday. Life has been so crazy and we said heck with it - we're resuming our anniversary vacation (the last one was 4 years ago, but the next one will be next year, as we won't be letting it slip to the wayside again! Time to take this tradition back!). Sometimes, you have to say screw the world, it can turn without us for a few days or blow up. It doesn't matter. We won't be saving it, that's for sure.

Seriously, it was great to get away. I took a few pictures and posted them to my Flickr account. It's not many, but it gives you an idea of how nice it was. No doubt, I'll be adding many more pictures to that when we go to Washington D.C. later in the year. Our next trip will definitely be longer, as this one reminded us of how much good it does us to get away. I know the people around here aren't happy to hear that but hey, they take a week or longer and don't apologize for that!

I promise I'll be back later in the week with a better entry. I'll have my annual season finale roundup around mid-week, once the finale of Supernatural airs and I get my thoughts together. I know Game of Thrones is still in progress, but I'm not waiting - it's close enough to the end anyway to get a good idea of where it's at, plus I finished reading A Storm of Swords on vacation, so, well, I pretty much know what's coming anyway. (I promise no spoilers, though!). And if by chance they surprise us, I can do a separate entry for it. That entry will also include my summer plans now that TV is off the weekly agenda (which almost always includes reading and writing). Look for that mid to late week.

As for today, I was off work, but am just sitting down. It's been laundry, groceries, cage cleaning, house cleaning, car cleaning, chores and errands all day long. So much for a day off! Well, at least it's done, and that should make the rest of the week easier.

One more thing: don't forget that Chloe's birthday is tomorrow! It's actually the anniversary of the day we adopted her in 2010. We want to surprise her with a birthday wishes shower. If you're on Twitter, please send a Happy Hatch Day or Happy Gotcha Day to @ChloeConure . Thanks!

Take care and have a great week. More later.

Bye!

Loyalty?

5/14/2014

Today, I’d like to talk about the much acclaimed scene from the latest episode of Game of Throne, where Tyrion Lannister spoke in at his murder trial for King Joffrey. If you haven’t seen it, the video is below. I’m not here to discuss the excellent acting, through – I’m here to talk about the power of this scene, and how it applies to reality.

He saved the city from an attack at the end of Season 2. Not only did he never get credit for it, but now they want to execute him. How many of you can relate to Tyrion? Not in the sense of being accused of murder (for the second time, and being set up, for the second time), but in the sense of you tried to help people, and they turned on you? You saved their skin, and all too soon the thanks was forgotten and the minute it was convenient, they turned now you’re the bad guy. People don’t care where they lay blame, as long as it’s not on themselves. They’ll betray anybody. Here we see one of the most unflattering traits of humanity. Let them find someone that they believe serves their interests better, and they forget all you’ve done and cast you off. You can burn for all they care. They found something better.

It’s one thing human beings have in common with the devil.

I know you don’t like that, but it’s absolutely true. People can be jackasses, plain and simple. Pride is the sin that led to the fall, and pride is the thing that keeps tripping us up, over and over. Memory is short for blessings and long on offenses. The Game of Thrones isn’t just fiction; it’s reality. People play the “world” game to win every day, and the players don’t care who they use, step on, or hurt in the process. “It’s not personal” is a favorite saying, but the truth is that it turns all too personal when somebody else turns the game on them. Whether it’s position, power, or money they play for, then you better know that you can count on no loyalty from them. Anything other than God’s will and purpose is the wrong answer. If they don’t abide by this, then people are nothing more than tools to them. Once they’re done with you, they’re done with you.

It’s no wonder so many people are walking around with two ton chips on their shoulder. Between playing the game and being played for the game, it can make you cynical. There are a lot of angry people in the world, and they tend to either build a wall to isolate themselves from being hurt, or they lash out and hurt you before you can hurt them.

Neither way is right. The right answer is the one Tyrion came up with: let God decide. Of course, in our case, the trial isn’t by physical combat. It’s spiritual combat. And in a way, that’s the harder route to take. Patience doesn’t come easy, especially when people are trying to make you a victim and break you with circumstances. But you have to remember one absolute truth that can never be denied, and it’s a truth that I’ve come to discover that most people either don’t know or don’t comprehend: when you curse others, you really curse yourself. Truth always makes itself known, and it’s usually at a time and place where it’s mighty inconvenient to those trying to hide it. The Bible calls it reaping and sowing in Galatians 6, but nobody had to tell me this. I opened my eyes, took a look around, and saw it for myself. Without fail, I see people that accuse others or put others in bad situations wind out accused and in bad situations themselves. It’s the only thing in life I’ve seen with a 100% hit rate. It’s enough to keep me straight, because life is hard enough without creating more drama or problems.

There are two points to this entry, and to what you can learn from this scene. First, people are fickle. Popularity doesn’t last, nor does praise or favor. It’s a poor foundation to lay yourself on, because it will fail you. Somebody else always comes along that people like better, so it’s best to roll with what is and not take it to heart (the good or the bad). The people in your inner circle aren’t perfect, but they have a way of proving themselves when it matters most, so look to that. True character shows when the crap hits the fan, not when you’re on top of the world. People that stand by you when everybody else turns are like diamonds – rare, precious, and worth holding on to because they stand and shine when everything else breaks under darkness. Second, anger isn’t the answer. Lashing out only makes you bitter, and people just call you a jerk and go on their merry way, and building walls only isolates you from things that could be great blessings that build you up to a greater purpose. Don’t let the devil win by giving in to his nature. Root yourself in what’s right and trust that truth will prevail, and the curses people are sowing on you will be brought under submission by an authority that can’t be bribed, cheated, or cajoled into wrong. No, it isn’t easy, but the right way rarely is. The ultimate authority is untouchable and can be trusted far more than any man on this earth, or the demons riding them around. You may or may not see your reward in this world, but it will come, and you have to be ok with taking things on credit sometimes.

The game of wordly success is never ultimately won. Somewhere, somehow, sometime, the price is always paid; and it’s usually catastrophic.

You may think I see too much into this, but remember: fiction does mirror reality, sometimes in uncomfortable ways. Think about it. Writer’s do this all the time. Where, exactly, do you think our stories come from?

That’s all today. Take care, and have a great rest of the week.

Bye!

Quotes of the Week

5/11/2014

It's amazing how "words in season" come right when you need them. Last week was a doozy, no doubt, but it seemed that the words I needed to hear kept coming at just the right time. Here are some of the winners from last week that kept me encouraged and kept a light on the path before us:

1. When an egg breaks from the outside, the result is death. When it breaks from the inside, the result is life. That reminded me of a line from the song Where the Dead Ships Dwell that says "I won't let the world break me." I know that's a yin and yang comparison, but to me it's plenty relevant: your circumstances can break you, or you can break free of them. It's all a matter of perspective, and where you allow your primary influence to come from: within or without.

2. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you learn. It seems this goes in seasons, and the seasons of learning are usually longer than the seasons of winning. What I really like about this, though, is that it doesn't say you lose - because you don't have to. If you can be ok with learning, then you really can't lose, because every experience adds wisdom and equips you to do better later. We can learn from every experience, whether it ends out the way we hope/expect or not.

3. People who shine from within don't need the spotlight. And we go back to real things coming from the inside. This is a perfect time to hear this too, as May tends to be a whirlwind of celebrations, between graduations and Mother's Day. We do all have our "spotlight" moments, but true character comes when nobody's looking. Do you always need accolades and "atta-boys" to stay motivated, or do you do what's right because it's right? This is an issue I've addressed in this blog before, so there's no need to revisit it in length.

4. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:3-4) I like this because it basically says that it's alright to be human beings, not humans doing. Too often, we think that we have to work and fight to get ahead, and wind out stressed out and weary. But this says that if we do what we're supposed to, then He will not only keep us safe, but bring the desires He planted in our hearts to pass. Wonderful, simple words of encouragement.

And as a bonus:

5. Once they figure a way to work a dead horse, we'll be next. Likely I'll be the first too. 'Edd,' they'll say, 'dying's no excuse for lying down no more, so get on up and take this spear, you've got the watch tonight." If you work, you know why that's funny. We all feel it sometimes, don't we? That tidbit is from A Sword of Storms, the third book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I thought it was hilarious and you'd appreciate it.

Good words to ponder, I believe. I hope they've inspired you as they have me over the past week.

That's all today. Take care, and have a great week.

Bye!

Where It's At

5/9/2014

Thank goodness for obscure holidays, because I certainly need it! It's Confederate Memorial Day here in SC, so state offices are closed and we get a day off that most other people don't have. I tell you: whether you like it or think it's backwards, it's a free day off, and we'll take it!

I can use it. It's been quite a week. My father-in-law was moved from the hospital to a nursing home to start his rehab, but the hospital got his medications out of whack, so now it's that whole process of getting them settled again. That was Wednesday. Then yesterday, my mother-in-law and a friend had a head on accident leaving the nursing home. They're fine, but the car has gone from an SUV to a compact. Now she has the addition of dealing with the insurance company doing their whole trying-not-to-do-anything dance before she can get it fixed or get another car. Thankfully, she kept my father-in-law's truck, so at least she has that to use in the meantime. I just wrote more on this and how we're dealing over at Conure Corner, so feel free to swing by there to check out more.

My big role in this is to help and support Rick by making sure he takes care of himself and keeping the home going. Fortunately, I had already made a good bit of headway on this before his dad got sick. The house is clean, so keeping it up isn't too difficult. Plus, Nonstop to Nowhere is at the beta/proofreader right now and will be for 2 weeks. I did run across a few things that I'm thinking about incorporating into the sequel to Move and researched it, but honestly I'm shelving that project until Nonstop to Nowhere is complete and turned in. So I'm on a writing hiatus until late May or early June, which is alright. It's funny how things work out, isn't it?

It's not the most fantastic of times, but I do see hope. Rick's dad is in recovery, his mother is ok (and will likely get a new car, once the insurance is done with their trying-to-do-nothing thing), and we've recovered from our respective sinus infections. It seems to me that things are on track to improve, if we keep the faith, walk in prayer, and don't allow the devil to keep sidetracking everybody with panic. Plus, spring is here and it's getting hot again. Some people are grumbling about it, but I don't mind. In fact, I welcome the heat. After that brutally cold winter, I like blue skies, green plants, and the sun warming the earth. The world feels alive, and that's a great feeling. I'll take it.

That's all today. I'll keep you posted on our progress, and ask that you will pray that the progress is already upon us and being delivered.

Have a Happy Friday and a wonderful weekend.

Bye!

Bleed It Out

5/6/2014

I’ve heard that apply pressure, and true character shows. If that’s the case, we’re having quite the reveal now. It seems that a lot of people are struggling with a lot of different things these days. My father-in-law is still recovering from his brain surgery last week in the hospital, but we certainly aren’t alone. I know others struggling with ill family members, terminal illness, accidents, and a couple of sudden, unexpected deaths. All of these people work, and all of them are dealing with work issues on top of their personal issues.

I’d say life is bleeding us out now. And we’re all seeing who’s real and who’s full of crap right now, too, because pressure draws out something else: drama. Or at least, you find out who’s a spotlight hog and who’s prone to logic in times like these. Truth always reveals itself, and it’s usually at times like these when there’s no place to hide. You see who’s the love and compassion lighting your way, and who’s the black hole that sucks you dry and gives nothing in return. In turn, you see where your energy should be so you can get the hell out of the event horizon of a vacuum and go toward the light. And you don’t forget it, even when the whole mess is over.

That’s the one inconvenient fact that too many people forget. Masks can’t be put back on once they fall off. That’s why character bleeds with pressure. Once it’s tapped, you can’t ooze it back in. It’s out there for the whole world to see.

You also learn a lot about yourself in times like these. You learn how tough you really are; and how well you stand up to the pressure. You see if you’ve really grown as much as you think you have. It’s the truest test of progress and maturity. If you do better holding your center in this trial than you did the last, then you’re good. If not, you know the targets for improvement.

I’m very happy right now that I read The Secret a few weeks ago. What I learned has been a tremendous help with coping, and has helped me to keep a better balance than I have in the past. Certainly, I’ve still had my not flattering moments, but I do hope that I’m doing better at capturing the anxious or worried thoughts and replacing them with prayers of hope and healing – and not just for me and my family, but for everybody who’s struggling right now.

If you’re struggling right now, let me offer you encouragement and hope. Look outside at everything blooming right now. That’s life – all that green and blue and color is everything in the world alive, and where there’s life, there’s hope. We all struggle and you certainly aren’t alone. Don’t allow yourself to be defeated. Stop looking down, where things die and are buried, and look up to the sun, where things live and breathe and hope. Change your focus from your worry to your hope.

If you’re doing well, I congratulate you. Nobody wants to rain on your parade, and you certainly deserve to enjoy good fortune. Just don’t forget compassion for those who aren’t on the mountaintop with you. Taking a moment to offer a word in season will multiply your blessings and keep you in the sun.

And if you’re just plugging along on the journey, take hope in both. Laugh with those who laugh, and mourn with those who mourn. You’re heading one way or the other. Err on the side of caution by bestowing good, positive energy on all. Whether you’re a companion or a comfort, you can’t go wrong.

We’ll be fine. Things happen and there’s no use fretting over the why’s. There’s a pretty good chance the answer will never come (certainly not to our satisfaction), so it’s best to get alright with the unanswered questions. “Time and chance happen to them all” (Ecclesiastes 9:11), so as it hurts, so shall it heal and give way to joy in due time. Life is always in motion. That’s why it’s called a journey. So let’s bleed out our truth, heal, become better people, and make sure we’re moving in the right direction, now and always.

That’s all today. Take care and have a great rest of the week.

Bye!

Lessons from Broken Routines

5/3/2014

Hi folks, sorry I didn't do my usual late week entry. My father-in-law was put in the hospital this past Tuesday. He had a subdural hematoma, and they did surgery to drain it yesterday. He came through fine, but you know how it is when a family member/in-law is in the hospital. Goodbye, normal routine. Even daily chores become, well, chores. Thank goodness most of our "big stuff" was done and the housework was mainly routine stuff, because that alone was a challenge!

The good news is that he came through surgery fine, with no problems at all. The doctors said he should start to improve now. He's still in the hospital now, and frankly, we aren't sure what comes next, especially given that he has dementia. We aren't sure if it will be some sort of rehab, nursing facility, or back home. I guess time will tell, especially in the coming days.

Fortunately, the house is mostly cleaned and organized, and my writing and Rick's website projects are at a less intensive state now. I call it a minor miracle that I cleaned up the house on Sunday, and finished rewrites on Revelation and proofreads on Nonstop to Nowhere on Monday, and this happened on Tuesday - talk about timing! And we already bought Mother's Day gifts, so that takes some pressure off too. But still, as I said, it's hard when you have an already busy schedule with work and routine stuff, and now you have to make visits to the hospital. It's something we all face from time to time, I suppose. And it makes you appreciate the little things about your normal routine that you usually take for granted, like being able to read a chapter of a book, watch a TV show, cook a meal, write a blog, or check your websites without being in a hustle because "I need to get going NOW!" It's amazing that you don't realize how those little things light up your day until you don't have as much time for them anymore. This week, I have definitely learned the power of two things: prayer and belief in healing power, and the joy that little things add to life.

I also learned how much I appreciate my family and friends. They really came through for us everywhere, and were tremendously supportive. From my own family, to our coworkers, everybody has been great. I especially want to give a shout out to the congregation at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church for your TREMENDOUS support through prayer and encouragement! Mom, Dad, Rick and I were overwhelmed by your kindness and concern. Thanks so much. You've been there for me my whole life and never let me down, ever. Thanks for your love and support.

I know I didn't say a lot about this online. Frankly, many members of Rick's family are also on Facebook, and they weren't sharing it, so I was uncertain as to what, if anything, to say online. But people do ask when you aren't around, and church members got it off the prayer list and contacted us, so I felt that being honest was best, and social media was the best way to update everybody on our end. Plus, I didn't have a lot of time to get online this past week. Most of it was duck in/duck out type stuff. I wasn't trying to keep you in the dark, I promise!

So that's where I've been this week: getting lessons from breaks in the routine. It's alright. As an old friend of mine used to say, we're all still living, breathing, walking and talking, so it's all good. It certainly is. Things may be more hectic than usual, but they're still working out. Thanks be to God.

That's all today. Take care, and have a great rest of the weekend.

Bye!