Sunday, January 24, 2010

website updates & other things

Just a quick post tonight to keep things updated ...

I have been busy working on my website. Yes, I finished loading onto my Quickbooks program everything that is on the website, (yay!) so this weekend I started adding patterns.  Some are for sewing but most are for quilt projects.  Such lovely patterns.  I have many more to add, plus books and other things.  Keep peeking in to see what is new. 

This year I have been taking our little grandson to Sunday School and he is enjoying it.  Today was his third time.  It is beginning to look as if it may become a challenge for me as he is getting more settled into being there - and more restless before the children go downstairs for their class.  It is important for him, though.  :)  After church we go to my husband's and my favourite little seafood restaurant for dinner - great food there.  Our grandson likes to eat in the "pirate's boat" which is fun for him. 

I am reading more and loving it as I am rather eclectic in my reading.  I was in a writers chat room tonight and when they drew someone's name for a copy of our guest speaker's book ... I won!  What a fun surprise! :)  I look forward to receiving that.


Very soon I have to get to work on the next Valley Sunshine issue.  (Please contact me if you want to subscribe or ask about it.) 

As you can see, there is always lots to do around here. :)  Remember to check out the website (link at right).

So, what has been keeping you busy so far this year?  Any new projects?  Any old projects to complete?  I'd love to hear about it. 

Thanks for reading, and ... Blessings on your day! :)

Saturday, January 9, 2010

blogs, business & beauty

More snow last night.  Not a lot, but more.  Enough to be very pretty out there, enough to make the birds have to dig a little deeper to find food in the feeders.


The first week of the new year has passed already and almost all of our Christmas decorations have been taken down - except our outdoor lights.  I did leave up a few lights over the fireplace since they look so nice, and candles in some windows because the house is bare with everything gone at once.  My husband undecorated our Christmas tree and then placed it outside, leaning it against the end of our deck, securing it there so the winds won't knock it over and carry it away.  I like the tree there till Spring for the birds.  It adds extra natural shelter for them near the feeders, and they seem to enjoy hopping down into its branches.


We had the most gorgeous snowfall a few days ago, and I have posted two pictures for you, although a camera cannot capture the true beauty. The first one shows our Christmas tree buried in snow against our deck. The second one may give you an idea of how the snow clung to tree limbs. This snow was not like the usual.  It fell and piled up, stuck like whipped cream, thick and hanging off everything. A heavy wet snow that adorned all the world, so it seemed.  It was exquisite, profoundly quiet and breathtakingly beautiful .. so much so that one hated to step out into it and make tracks to ruin its magnificence.


Since I have been thinking a lot more lately about writing I started a blog on WordPress.  It will be used mostly for my chatter and progress on that topic so that this blog will be mostly about business and other things - which is what I had intended in the first place.  The challenge will be to keep up with both.

A few weeks ago I downloaded QuickBooks Pro to help me with bookkeeping, and lately have been trying to get all my website items listed on it. Once I am caught up I will start loading more on the site.  It all takes so much time!  And I am not one who can stick forever at one thing, so it takes me longer than it should.

I have plans to expand my website's visibility later to build a broader customer base.  There are certain things I want finished on it first and then I'll make my move.  :)  I will let you know what that is about when it comes time.

So .. what was the best thing that happened for you during the Christmas season?
What did God stir in your heart?
What are your goals - or 'intentions' as a friend calls them - for this new year?
If you have any thoughts on what I have posted ... you  know the drill!  :)

Thanks for reading, and ... Blessings on your day!  :)

Friday, January 1, 2010

new year, new chances

Happy New Year!  2010, here we are!

I think we slept away much of today.  It was a quiet day to relax, watch movies and nap. I am very grateful for the long weekend, two in a row, that my beloved husband gets to enjoy away from the stresses of work in the city. Tonight there is another snowfall here, but in this part of Nova Scotia we are not expected to get as much snow as in some other counties of our province.  But, having to go nowhere tonight, it is fine with me.

I must share about another book I asked for and received for Christmas.  It is Lesley Crewe's "Hit and Mrs."  Now this book is laugh-out-loud funny!  I laughed a lot and in a couple of places I laughed till I cried, really!  The action got almost frenzied nearer the end, but it was a good read nonetheless.  I enjoyed this book.

Now, I have a question.  What is the big deal about using the 'F' word in otherwise great writing?  The last two authors whose work I have read have chosen to write it in several times.  To me that is a spoiler.  I know it is a word that has made its way into practically everywhere, but is there anybody who seriously finds it a conversation stopper?  Is it really a necessary word?  My opinion is that people show their ignorance when using the "F" word repeatedly in conversation, and are demonstrating their poor and limited verbal skills.
I suppose to keep story writing up-to-date it seems important to include, but ... does no one see the need for change and positive influence through their writing?  Or is that an impossible dream?

Last time I wrote I mentioned learning about a new publisher.  After sending a query to which I received a prompt reply, I decided to move on it immediately - so on December 30 I sent my manuscript.  Why not?  Now I have two different stories out there to two different publishers, and the waiting game has begun all over again but in a new decade.  2010 is a new year of new chances.

My wish for you this year is that you try something that you have wanted to do for ever so long, something that will push your talents and abilities in a broader way, something that will increase your joy of living.  Be bold, be brave, be not afraid!

I would love to read your thoughts on what I have posted here tonight.

Happy New Year!  Thanks for reading, and ... Blessings on your day!  :)