Monday; Just the Start!

It’s a bright, shiny new week, and we’re going to have fun. Cartney is working on her drawings in between the life of a very busy high school graduate, who is a very involved person. She’s involved with all aspects of life. Shouldn’t we all be that engaged? I think so.

At my age I don’t have the energy I used to. At the same time, the ideas are flowing faster and fuller than ever before in life. I suppose that’s how it is being a creative sort of person. My problem at the moment isn’t ideas, it’s time and energy. Once you get the mind straight, it’s hard to get everything else in line. Some days.

Meetings today about our fundraiser for NE Cops (Concerns of Police Survivors). The Babe and I attended a concert a month ago and learned about the cause. It’s phenomenal what they are doing. This event will help raise funds to send three Nebraska families to Washington, DC for the Police Memorial Week in October. It’s a good and right thing to do for the community around us. And my heart goes out to the families.

In the world around us, last week a fine young man and the love of his life were married. What a happy thing to see on Facebook! And the more we are positive, reading affirmations, living them, and defeating fear and negativity, the better the world becomes. This doesn’t mean we’re living perfect lives. Quite to the contrary. Things are not perfect. Those are not what we concentrate on. We have to let things build us up, not tear us down. I know it’s hard. There are two major things in my life that are very far from perfect; they cause me great sadness. I have decided either I accept them or I let them ruin my whole life. Yes, it creeps in at times. I allow myself to feel sad about it. And then I move on. I have to. Or life and I would be miserable. The Devil cannot win.

I use the energy to do good for other people. It feels good. Organizations are grateful. I don’t do it for me; I do it because it’s good for other people, I’m occupied with something positive, and good happens because of it. I am so tempted to buy the shirt that reads:

Underestimate Me

That Will Be Fun

It doesn’t necessarily mean something negative. It’s just when it gets down to the wire, I’ve pulled myself out of some incredible situations. All with God’s help. It’s not that the ego is leading, it’s simply I know I can go up against obstacles. And come out well. I don’t look at it as winning or losing. I see it as achieving vs. fearing. I know things become clearer the further I go into the unknown. It took a lifetime to learn that. It has taken the last twenty years to say it out loud and realize it’s how God has worked in me for me. And I’m grateful. I need to use it for good. I try to.

Good things continue when you get into the habit of looking for them. Make it a daily habit and you’ll be surprised at how well your days are. A baby in the store, a puppy on a leash, nature, the neighbor kid, they can all be a source of joy. Let’s keep looking at the good. See you again tomorrow. Be Safe out there, and hold the door open for someone. It’ll be a nice thing.

A Milestone #300 Monday!

Today marks the three hundredth blog I’ve written. I’m so thankful for all of you, reading about the adventures of two retired folks and their dogs. And their family. And their ideas. And their joys. And my writing adventure. And their hard times. You are a part of all of this, some support when I need it, and a cheer when I need that, too. It all helps. Thanks again!

Grandson Gavin will join us again. The Babe went to pick him up then swing by the VFW to count the drawers from yesterday. We will be so glad when they find a new bar manager. It really puts a lot of extra work on the Babe he doesn’t need to be concerned about. I imagine there will be the usual coloring session, coupled with Gavin’s talking a mile a minute. I love it though. The house is too quiet sometimes. God gave us grandkids to solve that issue. We are so blessed!

Today is like a blank canvas, spread before us all. It looks the same, stark white, blank, and full of promise. If you’re like me, you always plan to accomplish so much more than you actually can complete in a day. That’s both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because you are interested in a lot of things and want to dabble in all of them. Bad because you may take a lot longer to actually finish things.

Well. What if?

For today, I’m concentrating on what Sam, my book coach, calls “Inside Outline.” Noting major plot points in your story is a good way to start putting pen to paper. An event or scene, has a point. Simple, eh? The point is my characters emotional reaction to the event. That will take some thinking, and I hope to not be interrupted. Since I began this post, Goldie has interrupted me twice and Lexie once. They want in. Or out. Or to play. Or to drink. Or to . . . Well, you get the idea. When the Babe leaves, he says, “They’re tired and should sleep now.” Oh honey, if that were only true. Still, I can’t imagine life without any of them – the Babe included.

I’m concentrating on being positive about the interruptions. It’s been nearly a year since we lost our Roxie on July 5, and, just like people, as annoying as they can be, you’d still rather have them with you. After that loss, that is the first time I really posted something. That loss got me started. Until then, blogging was just an idea. I’m glad we’ve stuck with it for nearly a year.

An embroidered hibiscus block, with Swarovski crystals.

This is one of twelve blocks I made with hibiscus on them. The crystals were hand sewn on. All I need to do is quilt it. I think that should be some winter day or a cold fall day, in anticipation of the next growing season. I think it’s quite pretty, and I have some new machine quilting tricks to try on it. When the time comes along. And it will tell me when it’s here.

It’s always on my “in between” to do list to work on the website. I’m getting ready to add some more pages as my writing projects gain more form and get closer to becoming “live.” Exciting times ahead. Each day is another baby step towards them. I’m so grateful! I’m also grateful to all of you for reading today. I’ll be here tomorrow, and hope to see you all then! Invite a friend! Be Kind. Be Thoughtful. Be Safe. Hug your family while you can, and keep distances when you need to. We need each other a lot more than you think. Family is everything!