Magnificent Monday

Yesterday was the end of Mondays for 2022. No more of them in this year. And only 5 more days in the year. Where did it go?

Weather making the news, blizzards, floods, rain like we’ve never seen, tornadoes, hurricanes, wind, ice storms, and more blizzards. It happens every year and yet we seem surprised. The only thing greater than the havoc man can wreak on himself and his surroundings is Mother Nature. The sheer brute force is amazing. And what is truly amazing? The human spirit overcomes everything and anything. Yes. Miracles happen every day, don’t they?

I met my son, Frankie, for breakfast yesterday. Every couple of weeks, we meet at a different restaurant. It’s been fun, talking about food, fun, catching up on mutual friends. We reminisce about so many things. He remembers a lot of things from when he was a very little boy. Brandeis Department Store in downtown Omaha was the place to go visit Santa when he was little. He remembers the Willy Wonka display and seeing Santa when he was probably 3 years old. He has a memory I can’t believe. Considering I became his Mom at age 19, it’s true we grew up together. It’s been a ride.

One idea I had for 2023 was to give away other author’s books. It’s encouraged to read other author’s works, and I do. Right now, I have 2 of three Colleen Hoover books read. Instead of my keeping them forever, I thought it might be good to have a drawing to give them away. First, I need to check with someone who knows more than I do (anyone with a book published!) and see if I can do that ethically. I will have some gimmick to have people sign up, maybe limit the number of entries one person can have, and draw a month later. I need to work out the details, but I think it’s a valid idea. It will help me declutter stuff I’ll probably not use again. What do you think? Are you in? Drop a comment. Let me know your thoughts.

I love a great crime story, who done its, Law & Order franchise episodes, and mysteries. And in between, well-crafted comedy is the best. I’m watching an old episode of Everybody Loves Raymond. I think this is a genius comedy. Just an everyday guy, doing his best, with a kooky bunch of characters for family. Yes. It’s so funny. They all end up united by their quirks and doubts, their insecurity, and a good heart. I love the characters. Peter Boyle is a genius as Frank. Marie is such a great passive-aggressive mother-in-law. She really does a great job. And Robert, omigosh! What a mess he is. Of course, Frank submitted a story to the “Digest,” and is published. It’s hilarious. Frank thinks he’s now a writer, like his son is.

I hope to write characters like that. But with my spin on them. Of course, I don’t know who they are yet, and you’ll know as soon as I do. I hope you were in touch with someone you love yesterday. It’s always so good to be around someone you have a positive history with. Do it while you can. There is no time like the present. Remember that these last 5 days of 2022. We’ll see each other tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

Shiny, Happy, New Monday!

After the last month being schedule-crazy, I have the entire week free until Friday. Mom goes to the eye doctor then. I am free to add in whatever I want to do. I am visiting a couple friends from way back in the late seventies. I’m looking forward to it.

Until visiting later today, I’m going back to writing first thing in the morning. The day is far more productive. Friends, we cannot often gauge how quickly we’ll change a bad habit. It is said it takes 21 days. So be it. It should take me until around my birthday to make progress towards changing the bad habits I’ve fallen back to.

I’m grateful to go visit friends who have played an important part in my independence as a single Mom. Janet babysat my kids whenever I needed her. I’ve always been grateful for that. Our friend Kathy was my main sitter, and Janet helped whenever she could. Her husband Don was an Omaha firefighter who offered support and encouragement when he could. I love the fact we’ve remained friends all these years later. As a couple, they’ve always been first to offer help. Good people, we need more like them.

None of us knows what our future holds. Health or illness? Work or rest? Gains or losses? The older I become, the more I know things can change so quickly. In 1995, I went from being healthy and basically fit to nearly being bedridden in one short week. A tumor in my spinal canal was crushing the spinal cord. The pain was something I will never forget.

The weather was chilly and drizzly yesterday. We enjoyed Netflix and meals from HelloFresh. I enjoy cooking so much more with tastier food. Let me know if you’d like to receive a complimentary box. No joke, there are no strings attached. Let me know by FB Messenger what your email address is. Thank you!

I’m going to organize some stuff, then visit my friends. It’s a hot summer day according to the forecast. I’d appreciate some more spring non-windy days, but I’ll take what we can get. Have a beautiful day and we’ll see each other tomorrow.

Monday, Monday

What a day? I met my son, Frankie for breakfast today. It’s always fun to visit with him. We have always been able to talk about anything and we do. I’m so grateful he hangs out with me for a bite now and then. He mentioned today he’s been a cook for 35 years. What? Oh my gosh, he has! He is looking at turning 51 this year. Wow!

I was thinking of him as a little boy today; he had platinum blonde hair, big blue eyes, and has always been a cheerful guy. As a baby, he was never in a bad mood. The worst time he had teething was with his eye teeth, at about a year. He listened to me as I taught him how to do some things, like driving and checking his oil. Luckily, I watched Dad and passed that along to my kids. And having a beer with him when he turned 21 was special. He’s a good man.

I need to call some veterans tomorrow and line them up to be interviewed in a podcast about their military experiences. It’s an honor to be a part of this project. It will be submitted to the Library of Congress, and be part of our nation’s history. What an honor!

As we continue on this week, I’m still working on my to-do list. Finally finished the forms for the Nebraska Department of Revenue. It seems I sort of blew off filing the forms when they were due. Wow. Now, I’m on their radar. Oh dear!

I hope you have a relaxed rest of the evening. We will get back at this tomorrow. The dentist’s office wanted to glue the temporary crown back in this morning; it’s drilled down to the dentin as part of the prep, and the crown will not be here until March 7. He doesn’t want it just stuck on with toothpaste like is recommended. I hope the shift I felt in it earlier doesn’t mean it’s going to fall out again. See you tomorrow!

More Mondays!

Aren’t you just excited it’s the start of another week? I am. I plan to actually plot my children’s book cover this week, and add the verbiage to some of the pages. Much of the writing will be edited out when Cartney McGuigan works her magic to illustrate the story. I’m getting really excited to work on it again. This learning stuff is hard! It fills my brain with possibilities. And ideas. It’s ok. That’s where the greatest ideas come from.

I have an idea for pre-release notification that will allow a printable PDF for children. We may have printouts available for including with the purchase of books in person or via my website, Cartney’s Etsy Store, and of course, for the McGuigan’s use. Stay tuned, boys and girls. And everyone! We’re going to have a blast doing this.

At long last, the sun has finally made an appearance! The moon was brilliant last night, too. With our blinds open in the bedroom and all the lights off, it lit up the room for a couple hours. As it reached it’s peak in the sky, the brightness dimmed and I just lay there thinking how awesome the creation of the world is. Scientifically and Spiritually as well. Grateful to God for all of it. I marvel at the seasons, the growth in spring, the flowers in the late spring and summer, and the colors of fall.

We enjoyed Gavin so much yesterday. He asked, “Can we please go for ice cream?” We never turn down ice cream! It was a perfect thing to do. We’re looking forward to getting to watch him play baseball this year. He’s got a lot of athletic talent, I’m so proud to watch him. He was watching a game on Nintendo Switch (I think that’s what it’s called). He can narrate a play by play watching basketball, baseball, and football. He’d isolate the players who slammed the ball in the hoop. All you have to do is agree with him. He’s happy. He has an unbelievable mind to keep all that knowledge at such a young age. Children fascinate me; how they learn and grow through the years. He’ll be nine this year. Wow.

The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion. – Tacitus

What do you think of this statement? I find it sad, actually. Power has never appealed to me, really. Not without the responsibility that goes with it. A powerful person, in my opinion, needs to have integrity, a soul, and be honest. I suppose one would say our current politicians are more lusting for power than anything else. They may have forgotten they work for US. I just want us to find a way to stop all the fighting, negativity, and division.

I was astounded to read many codependent people “lust” for control. This sounds kind of crazy, I know. The premise is their role in their home was to control their environment, then they could enable their addicted people to keep their addictions. They would mistake enabling for help. It isn’t. It continues the curse, and you’re helping do that. I did it too. I no longer allow that person to pull me into their issue. It’s their to fix, not me. By “helping,” I was doing anything but helping. I helped continue the lies he told himself and everyone else. Only fooled ourselves. No more. It is what it is. And it’s not mine. Have it back, and keep it forever. I’m done.

When we humans have breakthroughs in improving our lives, we become more energetic I believe. The world is brighter, easier to navigate. Less baggage that we’re holding for others. Try it, you’ll like it! Peace at any price doesn’t promote peace, only more of the same. Peace with boundaries is more liberating, for sure. We all need reminders. Let’s help each other out. I’m in!

Another quote:

Today, I will examine my decisions to be sure I haven’t traded compliance for integrity.

(From: Days of Healing, Days of Joy: Daily Meditations for Adult Children).

Proud dog Mom talk: One short training session with her today, and she’s not dropping her fetch toy and barking at me. YAY! I sat on the deck, she had her training collar on, and just two little buzzing sounds with the command, “No Bark!” and she didn’t bark again. She brought the rope back to me, up the stairs, to the deck, instead of sitting in the yard, barking until I came down to her. Nope. What a good girl! When I finish working later, I’ll be giving her new toys from Bark Box.

Have a beautiful Monday. We’ve got a lot to accomplish this week, let’s get going! Be Safe. Be Kind. Have Integrity. Have Compassion. Know Your Boundaries. Enforce Them. Be Compassionate. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you tomorrow!

Magical Monday, 9/28/2020

It’s a chilly, sunny day at the Home Office in Gretna, Nebraska. Fifty-two degrees! Brrr. But it was great to open the windows again for some fresh air. As we enjoy these beautiful fall days, I can’t help but think of two fall seasons years ago when I was pregnant, and hoping I wouldn’t give birth on Halloween. Both of my sons were due around then. Luckily, neither was. The last Halloween before Nick was born was brutal.

Nick was born on November 7, one week after Halloween. It was bowling night, so I took Frankie trick or treating. He was four. We lived in an old neighborhood, the kind with half of the houses on a hill, with stairs from the street up to the yards, and more stairs up to the porch. We knew all the people in the neighborhood, so we went up, trick or treat, then back down. There were fences separating the yards from each other, so you had no choice but to go up and down all of those stairs. I remember praying, “Please don’t let this put me into labor, God, Please?” Silly as it sounds now, I was concerned about it. The little guy showed up a week later.

Four years prior to that, Frankie arrived early. So was Nick for that matter, and of course, the third baby, Rebecca, was late. How does that happen? It was a very hard pregnancy, with a niece dying of spinal meningitis, Frankie had a drowning accident (and survived with no ill effects, thank God), and the baby laid on my sciatic nerve constantly near the end. First time I ever took a nap in the afternoon, to try and alleviate the pain.

But you forget all that once that baby is in your arms. She was wonderful. So sweet. I loved taking care of all of them. You miss babies once they’re not near you anymore. Gavin and Addison were frequent visitors, and so was Joell. He was a toddler but fun nonetheless. Now Kayla and Cody are our in Colorado and they may as well be in Europe, as we can’t visit until their Mama feels it’s safe as far as the CORONAVIRUS goes. I can’t stand it!

So instead, I have photos directly above the TV in the living room. I look at them a lot and talk to them in my mind. They will know me when I see Kayla again and meet Cody. There is always hope. If we lose hope, we lose everything.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

Today? I’ve spent a bunch of time with several places where I’ve received emails saying I’ve reset my password. What a bunch of clowns. Don’t people have anything better to do? I guess not. There will always be a criminal element in whatever we do, you know? I love technology and am grateful I don’t fall for scams. I feel sorry for folks who do. Even the old grandkid calling grandma from jail scam. It happens so much. And once people are old, PLEASE, leave them the heck alone! They don’t deserve that!

Photo by Startup Stock Photos on Pexels.com

The rest of today? Hope to knock the dirt off some succulents I need to bring inside. Some of them are really looking great. I need to keep them alive during the winter. They should do well, as long as they’re not overwatered. Or underwatered. Or get too much sun. Or too little sun. If you’ve ever tried to troubleshoot a sick looking plant, you know what I mean. It needs to be awhile before we cut things down for the winter. But then, it always catches us by surprise. How about you?

I have more scenes to write scenes as prep for working more on my book. Katie’s story is taking shape, and I hope I’m on the right track. I’ll know in about ten days, when I have a new session with Sam, my book coach. It’s been great working with her. She is helping me focus and concentrate on what I’m trying to get onto paper. A lot of what people write is junk. Filler words. Words that aren’t necessary to the story. Their story gets lost. I’m working to avoid that. Wish me luck, skill, light a candle, say a prayer.

There will be more work on the VFW Post 2503’s website today. I successfully added their October Newsletter last night. Thought I should quit while I was ahead! One day, I hope a year from now, I will have a Newsletter. Won’t that be fun? I look forward to all of it. You’ll be with me all the way, I hope.

How Sad! This is what I get searching for a photo of a NEWSLETTER.

I am starting to tally what I’ve spent on writing this year. Of course, I don’t have any income yet from writing, so it’s all written off now, but I will find it interesting. Having a website, memberships, online training, book coaching, books to learn from, and the Nebraska Writers Guild FALL Conference 2020 cancelled but paid for (since the spring one was, too) should have a hefty price. I’m guessing less than $3K. Nothing wrong with investing in yourself. Your dream.

One of the reasons I love to hear my local musician friends is there is a common theme aside from gratitude in their talking with their audiences. Billy McGuigan, and Jimmy Weber are two of the best and nicest entertainers you could ever meet. The common theme is following your dreams. I have heard them both say those words from the stage, and one time, I thought, “Why not?” There was no reason not to. Their (unknown) encouragement has propelled me thus far. So guys, thank you. I still love to see you both perform, and we need to again. Soon. Very soon. My world gets set right by music.

Hope you all have a beautiful day. Listen to music, it cures everything. Thanks for reading, stay tuned for tomorrow, we’ll have another adventure. Or Katie will. Stay safe, be courteous and kind, and live your dream. It’s possible. Even probable. Get started today.