How Do You Celebrate?

As we celebrate our nation's independence from the United Kingdom, I am trying to remember previous celebrations of this great day. Some highlights for me include:

• Camping with the entire family and watching the fireworks from out campsite.
• Sitting up on Mountain over looking the city I currently live in and watching the fireworks being shot off from the football field.
• Enjoying the fireworks on the beach with my boyfriend (now husband) with his best friend and family.
• Hanging out on the Central Coast of California and watching fireworks from three different cities all going off at the same time.

This year, I think we're going to watch the fireworks in one of the neighboring towns. I just feel like doing something different because frankly, I'm tired of doing the same ol' thing.

While all these memories are great, they also got me thinking about other ways I celebrate special days. It's no secret that I love the holidays staring in October all the way through the end of the year. It wasn't that long ago when I would go completely crazy with the decorations and rituals associated with each day. These days, I am lucky if I can get the boxes out of the garage. So what's changed? Well, probably because life got so overwhelmingly busy, and I just lost my way.

Now that things have settled down, I actually have my life back again and am thinking about all those great holidays and the decorations in the garage. I'm thinking that this is the year I sweep off the cobwebs and open up a few of those boxes and pull out some fun stuff to spruce up my boring house. But first, I have to clean up my house!

So how do you celebrate these special days? What about those special moments in life you want to commemorate, what do you do for them? I love to hear from you!

Wishing you moments to celebrate special moments and holidays!

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Guided Misdirections

In my work life, misdirections generally mean that I wasn't listening properly because I was either distracted or simply not listening. Either way, these are poor excuses for not doing something the right way. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is when in doubt, ask more questions for clarification. It will save your bacon!

I find that as I get older the more I need to write things down. This comes in handy since I am a writer and tend to carry a pad or something to write with wherever I go. Now my notes might not be very neat, but they are my notes and I understand the scribbles, shorthand and notations. Taking notes has definitely helped to keep the misdirections to a minimum.

In everyday life, however, the universe tends to send out mixed signals. It is up to each of us as individuals to determine which way to go. While they might look like misdirections at first, looking a little deeper might produce a clearer picture. I try to not let these signals get the best of me as it usually just means I need to make a decision about something. 

While flying by the seat of my pants my be a good way to sail through signals, I'd prefer to chart a more well informed course. I think about the consequences of either direction I could take and then make the best decision possible to guide me through the misdirections and keep me on my journey. Sometimes there is no right or wrong decision...it's just a choice. These days, I choose to be happy, and the decisions I make are charting a nice course that keeps me on that path of blissful contentment.

Wishing you moments of guided misdirections!

 

This post is written for The Writer's Post Weekly Blog Hop.  Michelle is the host for this week. Check out her blog here. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!

 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

The Little Things That Make Me Smile

It feels so nice to be back here on my blog. I feel like I have neglected you. Thank you for all my readers for your patience while I have sorted by life and re-evaluated my schedule. Here's my little list of things that make me smile:

1. A pair of warm feet on a cold night.
2. Unexpected presents from my husband.
3. Finishing a really great book.
4. An afternoon of girl movies...uninterrupted.
5. A glass of really good lemonade.
6. A great meal that I didn't have to prepare.
7. An afternoon in my garden.
8. Spending a lazy morning sitting in my Adirondack chair on my patio reading a book or magazine.
9. Listening to a baby laugh.
10. Softly falling snowflakes...as long as I don't have to shovel it!
11. When my husband does the dishes without me asking.
12. Chocolate...enough said!

I'm sure I could think of a whole lot more to this list, but since it is late and I've been up for a long while, my mind is tired. This has been a great prompt and was a nice way to ease back into the blogging again.


Wishing you lots of smiling moments!

 


This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 66: The Little Things That Make Me Smile, hosted by Corinne Rodrigues of Everyday Gyaan.Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!




Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Looking Forward, Thinking Back

Goodbye 2012

 

2012...what a year it has been! I kept myself pretty busy. I had some grand designs (my husband would say illusions!) of things I wanted to do, and what I wanted to participate in. While life and the day job grew bigger than expected, all in all, I would say I ended up doing about 75% of what I hoped to accomplish this year. Not so bad if I do say so myself. Let's take a recap of what I had hoped to do:

1. Queen of Your Own Life: While I had great aspirations of sharing things from these great ladies, I didn't quite get there. I had hoped to share some daily inspirational thoughts, etc. both here and on my other sites, to be honest, I just could not squeeze it in with everything else that I was doing. A great idea, but the follow through was not there. I read a lot of really wonderful things on their website and through Facebook, and tried to use it for my own daily inspiration. I highly recommend that you do as well.

2. New Year, New You: To be honest, this was a dismal failure. I spent most of the year in physical rehab because my back went completely south and did some other issues. I have been slowly on the mend and have now, finally, been cleared to start working out again. Yoga here I come.

3. 52 Weeks, 52 Books: Lucky for me, I was able to sit down over the weekend, and in two days finished all of my reviews for the year. While I was not able to post them individually, they are all listed on the 2012 Book Club Page. They will be there thru the end of January, 2013 and then archived onto the Book Club - Archived Page, where all my book reviews are located. Go checked them out! :-)

4. Reading Romances Challenge: Sadly, I just could not finish the challenge. While I kept up for most of the year, the 4th quarter really kicked my "you know what" and I finally just had to give up.

5. Photos, photos and more photos: Well I did manage to post some additional photos this year, but not as much as I wanted to. I took a lot of photos, but reviewing and editing takes time and that is just a work in progress.

6. Writing for Examiner.com and Yahoo! Voices: Yes, this is one area I really excelled in. Actually, I really excelled in adding 3 additional columns at Examiner.com and only wrote one column at Yahoo! Voices. So I would say that this is the area that I really worked on the most this year. I need to work on the page links here so that you all can see what I have been working on for the past year!

7. Miscellaneous craft projects on Etsy.com: I didn't do anything for this. A grand dream...just no time to execute it.

8. My novel: I didn't do diddly squat on it this year. A great disappointment, but life is life and I ran out of time.

9. How did I live up to this item that I posted earlier this year: "My husband has a great philosophy about work..."You need to work to earn enough money in order to take the next vacation." I'll take that one step further..."I need to work to pay off my debts, put money away for retirement and to take that next great vacation." " Well let's just say that I am a little closer. I worked a lot, paid some toward the debt, put money away for retirement and took a kick-a$$ vacation!

10. Podcast: That is still in the plans...just need to figure it all out.

The biggest thing I am doing right now as I end this year is to figure out how I am going to manage all of my writing for the coming year. I actually made a bit of money this year. Go figure! Not a lot, but more than previous years. I need to re-organize how everything is laid out and how it is promoted. I have a lot of maintenance to perform on my various websites and my Facebook Fan Page, but I know that I cannot get it done overnight. I will work on it slowly throughout the year and see where it lands at the end of 2013.

Upon reflection, I would say that I did what I wanted, thought a lot about what I could change, and put aside the items that I could not execute to the best of my abilities until such a time I am able to do so.

I had a great year overall. I am more happy than I have been in years. I don't want my writing to become a competition with the other writers that I work with, I just want to get better at my craft and share my thoughts with the world. While ultimately, I want to make some money at it, I don't want to make so much that it consumes me.

I have much to look forward to in 2013. I am going to keep these items on my list for the coming year. I might add a few as I go along...then again, I might not, or decide to remove a few things! Whatever the case may be, come this time next year...we'll see how I did with all of the above again and evaluate how it all went down for the year.

Wishing you moments of great reflection.

 

This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 61: Looking Forward, Thinking Back. My friend Darlene is the host today. Check out her blog here. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!

 

Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

The Writer's Post Blog Hop #54 - Path to a Successful Career -

In my administrative career spanning...well let's just say I've been doing this a really long time, I've spent the better part of my days either on the phone or typing away on a computer keyboard. I don't think you could call me a glorified receptionist, because I can do a whole lot more. I have to remind myself that I do have brain and I can write fairly well. While not perfect, I can catch my errors and I tend to agonize over ever...little...thing. It is quite annoying sometimes. I've been fairly successful in my career, done just about everything I've wanted to do, even become a writer with a few published columns.

So let's take a look at some of the other jobs I've done in my career:

• Office assistant for my family business
• Fast food restaurant cashier...(twice!)
• Clerk in an office supply store.
• Computer sales person
• Electronics store manager
• Electronics store assistant manager
• Administrative Assistant at a Corporate Conference Center
• Shipping assistant (briefly) at a software company
• Customer service specialist for online company
• Administrative assistant for the local railroad that served a paper mill
• Administrative assistant for the maintenance department of the paper mill
• Administrative assistant for a contractor and two architectural firms
• Administrative assistant for a graphics art company
• Personal assistant for a wine writer
• Office administrator for a wine logistics company
• Office manager for a small family winery
• HR coordinator/trainer
• HR generalist - recruiter

No wonder I'm tired.

But you have to admit...the key to a successful career is diversity. And I have a lot of diversity! What holds me together now is that I get to do things that I really love...write, talk with people, and make observations (this is really helpful in my writing career.) Meanwhile, being able to figure out if someone is a good fit for a job I am trying to fill is a challenge. In the end, when I find that perfect person, it is definitely...music to my ears!

Wishing you moments to find your career path!

 

This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 54: Picture Prompt. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!




Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Rest

It seems like there is never enough hours in the day, always something to do...and when things get really crazy, the thing that I never get enough of is...rest.

I tend to have insomnia, especially when my mind won't shut off, so getting enough rest seems like a thing of the past for me. My doctor really wants me to get eight hours of sleep a night, but I told her I was lucky to get six. Some nights it's four hours and I have been known to go to work on as little as two hours.

My mom told me a long time ago that my body knows when it is tired, so it will sleep when it wants too. She also went on to say that even if I am just lying quietly in bed and even if I can't shut my mind off, I am still resting. Seems odd because I feel like I am having live dreams rather than sleep dreams.

I recently asked my husband why is it that men seem to sleep better than women. He always seems to fall asleep right away and stays asleep while I will toss and turn for hours before falling asleep for just a few, what seems like, minutes. His response...because it's that time of life. Meaning...menopause. Now I really had to stop and think about this because if I count back the years when I went into forced early menopause (long story and someday I will share it), that would be about the time I noticed that I wasn't really sleeping or getting as much rest as I wanted to get.

Putting aside the fact that when I was younger I worked a lot of hours, I still managed to get a consistent amount of hours of sleep every night. Now it just seems like hit or miss. So...tonight I am taking matters into my own hands and I took a couple of antihistamines and hope to fall asleep fairly quickly. They should also take care of my allergies for the night too.


Wishing you moments of needed rest!
 
 

I am participating in the Blogging from A-Z Challenge for April 2012. Today's post is for the letter R.

Click on the badge below for more info:

This post is also written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 45: Rest. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!


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Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Adventure

Whether those of you who believe it or not, my life really has been one adventure after another. For as long as I can remember, my family and I have traveled the country. Now these trips were seen from the windows of an RV and covered many areas west of the Mississippi. Today, my husband and I still travel the country,  and cover areas west of the Mississippi.

Most of the trips of my childhood were captured on snapshots. I still have to dig thru the box and look at these to see if they can be transferred to digital. Since my marriage, I've been able to take many photos digitally, and I am still wading thru most of those as well. I literally have thousands and thousands of photo memories that need to be reviewed.

So where have I been? Here are some of my adventures:

1. Florida - I have been here more times than I can count. My parents took my brother and I here practically every year all through grade school. I even remember spending Christmas there as well. I have a great photo of my brother standing next to a sea lion that was sleeping on the edge of it's enclosure at Sea World. I really have to find that photo and transfer it to a digital image. It's one of my favorites!

The last time I was in Florida was with my husband, and the rest of my family for my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary. We stopped at Gatorland. My husband really loves the "come see the varmints" attractions. We couldn't pass up the opportunity. Plus it was really cool to see the gators up close and personal. It's been quite awhile since this visit and I am really itching to get back there. Hopefully one day soon...if I can convince the hubs to take the 18 hour trip again!

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park -  I don't remember too much of this trip save for the fact that I viewed most of it from the window of my family's RV. I don't recall stopping very much. We went through the park pretty early in the day...lots of fog so it was hard to see things. But, I can say that I was there!

3. Hershey, PA - A Chocolate Lover's Paradise! Enough said!

4. St. Louis Arch - This was an experience. My brother parents and I went up in a tiny, tiny elevator and rode to the top. I, of course, am completely freaked out because I have a tremendous fear of heights, but I really wanted to go the top, so I sucked it up, hung on for dear life and made it to the top. It was really beautiful and I'll always be glad that I went. I'd like to take the hubs to see it, but not sure if we'll make it back to that area any time soon.




5. Indianapolis 500 - Every year without fail, we went to the most famous car race around. The boys went to the track and mom and I stayed in the RV and listened to the race on the radio. We always had a good time because this was our time. One year mom and I went to the track and we didn't have a good time...at all. So we went back to staying in the RV and had lots more fun! Vroom...vroooooommmm!

6. Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Parks - This place holds one of my most favorite memories...we went here for our honeymoon. It was a belated trip but worth it. One of our first camping experiences inside the park was waking up to snow! It was so cold outside, but we had (and still have) a pair of the best sleeping bags. They kept us toasty warm!

Hannagan Meadow, Arizona

7. Arizona - Since we lived here for 6 years, the hubs and I had the opportunity to travel completely around the state and see just about every square inch. From Tombstone to the Grand Canyon, and Hannagan Meadow to Kingman, I think we've seen it all, including every state park and other attraction that you could possibly see. While I was there, I don't think I appreciate the state enough. But now that we're in California, I really miss the place.

Pismo Pier, Pismo Beach, CA

8. California - We have lived here for over ten years and are still trying to see everything. There are so many places to see and things to do. My favorite place in all of California is Pismo Beach! The photo at the left is probably my favorite. It's right at the pier and entrance to the beach area.
Whenever we return to Pismo, I stand out on the pier, take a deep breath, let it out and know that I am home.

9. Oregon - We love the Oregon Coast and fishing along the Rogue River. I think we went to just about every lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. There are so many more places we want to visit, but that will be another trip.

Ni'ihau, Hawai'i

10. Hawaii -  All time favorite place...love the island of Kauai. Can't say enough great things about Hawaii. We can't wait to go back! Check out this photo too...this is the secret island of Ni'ihau. No one is allowed there because it is private.I took this photo on a really foggy day when it was just starting to lift. Amazing photo, don't you think?






I've had so many wonderful adventures and hope to have many, many more. And one day soon, I will dig out all those old photos so I can start cataloging them...I promise!
 
Wishing you moments of great adventure!

 

This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 41: Adventure. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!





I am also participating in the Blogging from A-Z Challenge for April 2012. Let's see if I can do this!




Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Reflections of an Old Soul

I think I was born old, or at the very least, inhabited by someone's soul, older and wiser than I. Decisions in my life seem to have been guided by this entity and have led me on a very interesting journey. Over the years, I've had to do things I wasn't happy about, and on more than one occasion, I've said, "Why me?".


Getting to this place in my life has not come without a few moments of self-doubt. As a young woman, fresh out of college, I had a lot to learn. I still feel that way today as I tend to be fairly critical of myself. Overall though, I don't have any regrets.

Why? Because regrets are nothing more than bad feelings over lost opportunities. But wait! Are they really lost opportunities? At least that's what I originally thought. Then, I had a huge epiphany and began to wonder if they were indeed really lost opportunities, but merely chances for happiness presented to us in a different way.


Hmmm...

All the pent up frustrations and anxiety seemed to diminish to the point where I could finally focus. The tension in my shoulders began to melt away, the circles under my eyes started to diminish, and as funny as it sounds, my hair started to grow back...it came in gray...but it was coming back.

I began to look at things differently. I listened to my inner voice, believed in those gut feelings, and I followed my heart. All is well.

I am at peace. And the old soul living within me is smiling... 


Wishing you moments of quiet reflection,


 

This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 39: Reflection. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!

A Page from my Brag Book...

For this week's writing challenge from The Writer's Post, we were asked to write something to brag about. While this might seem somewhat odd coming from me, but in actuality, I find it difficult to brag, toot my own horn, give myself a pat on the back or do the dance of joy simply because I have accomplished something. Maybe it was because I grew up in an environment where I was encouraged to "be seen and not heard".

I've always been pretty shy truth be told. I'm more of a behind the scenes kind of person. I'm the one that hangs out in the shadows wishing I could be in the spotlight. I am a strong support person. At parties, I'm the one usually standing near the wall holding it up. People walk by me but don't stop to talk to me. I guess I am pretty invisible because I don't make a lot of noise. This type of life allows me to be a great observer of life.

As a kid, I grew up in the country so I had a limited number of friends. I didn't have any graduation parties and I think that I had one birthday party thrown for me by the two neighborhood girls. As the only daughter, I had a fair amount of perks though. My parents took me out to dinner, and to some really cool plays (I really loved the theater.) Mom would always make me my favorite birthday cake and I got some really nice present growing up. My parents bought me just about everything I ever wanted. I had my own room and my own color tv and stereo. I was fine and happy with my life.

It wasn't until after college that I really wanted to be on my own and have more control over my life. I wanted to make my own destiny, but it was a struggle to become independent.  Everything, and I mean everything, I gained seemed like it was only after a hard fought battle. I don't regret any of it. Surviving these moments so long ago really helped me get through the last couple of years. I am stronger and more confident now because I have developed a deeper sense of myself and my capabilities.

Don't get me wrong though; I still have moments of self doubt and inadequacy. People still seem to know how to push my buttons and make me feel bad about myself. Just the other day, I was advise to not let the negative things that other people say get into my head. Easier said than done, but the more I work on making that happen, the easier it becomes.

So what do I have to brag about...I guess it is the fact that I am a survivor and that I made it this far without too many scars. That's a pretty good accomplishment. I'm happier than I have been in years, and even though it seems like I missed out on a lot of life, I figured out that I am now, finally, at the beginning of the rest of my life. I have so many things I want to do, I feel like a kid in a candy store. What do I do first?

I think the best thing to do is just wake up every day and decide then. Best thing is to just enjoy and savor each day. How about you?


Wishing you moments of

 

This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 37: A Page from My Brag Book. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!





Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

The Blues

I could write a dissertation about this, but I won't. I'm trying to stay positive. So with that being said, here's what came to mind when I saw the topic in The Writer's Post:

I remember a line in one of my favorite movies that goes something like this, "I gotta right to sing the blues." Does anyone remember what movie that came from? It's a very funny movie...starring Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid...can you think of the name yet?

It's Undercover Blues! And you simply must watch it! Frankly, I think this is Kathleen Turner's best role she's ever portrayed. And, Dennis Quaid...well, look at that smile of his and who wouldn't want to watch this movie.

And don't forget about Stanley Tucci who plays a wannabe thug named Morty/Muerte. Seriously, that guy has me rolling on the floor. You could actually play shot games every time he says the line, "My name is Muerte!"

I tend to watch this movie when I need to lift my spirits because it always seems to make me smile, laugh and feel good by the time its over.

If you get a chance, rent this movie on Netflix or get a copy from Redbox, Blockbuster or wherever. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.





This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 32: The Blues. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!

Out with the Old and In with the New

When I saw the title for this blog hop challenge, I immediately thought of those lists you occasionally see called "What's Hot and What's Not". So in honor of those, I'm doing something similar and calling it:

Susan's What's Out and What's In List

What’s Out:                                  What’s In:

McDonalds                                    Home Cooking

Blue Jeans and Sneakers                Dress clothes and pumps

Soda                                             Tea

Television                                       Movies on DVD

Hardcover and paperback novels      My Kindle

Magazines                                     Books

Late Nights                                    Early Mornings

Weekends on the couch                 Weekends hiking at the county parks

Photos on film                                Digital Photos

Camcorder                                    Video camera

Writing for others                           Writing for myself

Cross-stitching                              Crocheting

Spending money                            Paying off debt

Savings account                            401K Plan

Boombox                                       MP3 Player

Aerobics                                       Yoga

My desktop computer                     My laptop computer

Typing                                           Voice recognition software

Chaos and disorganization              Simplicity and peace

I hope that sharing this list will give you another insight into the world Susan, Today's Working Woman! Now, how about you? What's in and out in your life?

This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 28: Out with the Old and In with the New. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!

Favorite Holiday Traditions

Watching holiday movies – everything from Rudolph to Christmas Vacation. I think I have over 50 different holiday movies!

Sitting around in my PJ’s all Christmas Day – since we rarely go out, today is the perfect day to be comfortable. And, a perfect excuse to take a mid-day nap!

Baking cookies – we have to make cookies or it just isn’t Christmas! Lots and lots of chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies and sugar cookies to decorate. If I am really feeling festive, I will make something fancy like chow mein noodle candy.

Christmas Pizza 2011

Christmas Pizza – We could make something fancy, but I’d rather eat comfort food! Pizza is comfort food for me.

I made this wreath from last years grapevines!

  

Holiday Decorations – no matter the year, we always put up at least something. Some years it is more, and some it’s less. Whether indoors or outdoors, a little holiday décor goes a long way! I just love it when a plan comes together!

A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

Lovely and unique Poinsettia

Love my light up snowmen!

Wishing all of you all your favorite holiday traditions!




This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 27: Favorite Holiday Traditions. (I didn't quite make the hop this time, but that's okay!) Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!

Celebration!

When it comes to celebrating…I am more of a behind the scenes type of person. I’m the one that plans the party, not actually celebrate or partake in the festivities. I suppose this could be a good thing as I tend to be a solitary creature and prefer to interact with others on more of a one-on-one basis.

It’s funny; most of the people I come in contact with seem to know this about me. I rarely get invited to parties and when I do, I tend to fade into the woodwork. I guess I don’t make much of an impression, do I? That is what I used to think anyway.

Actually, it's okay because I’ve come to accept that about myself. I’m really, really fine with it. I have some very dear friends that I hang out with, and then we all go our separate ways until the next time. It just makes our visits all that more special since we don’t see each other that often. Each visit in itself is a celebration. When I am alone again, I give thanks that I have these opportunities and plan for the times when we can get together again We just need to plan those visits a bit more frequently.

When I was younger, it bothered me a lot that I was alone so much, but as I’ve gotten older, I have come to relish the time that I have by myself. I am no longer sad and I always have my husband (he's my best friend!),  my writing and other hobbies to keep me busy. And when I really get lonely, I pick up the phone or I turn on the computer!

Today, instead of being sad, I celebrate the uniqueness that is me. 2012 is going to be the year of Susan. Every day will be a celebration! When my friends come to visit, I will have even more to celebration!

Wishing everyone moments of celebration during this holiday season!



This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 26: Celebration! (I didn't quite make the hop this time, but that's okay!) Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!

Innocence

I once saw the world through the eyes of innocence,

Believing all that is good.

But as I grew up,

I put up blinders to those things I thought I should.

Alas the wisdom comes with age,

And I know that the world is not my stage.

Was once a sweet innocence though seems lost now,

Is merely reserved for moments that I only allow.

Wishing you all sweet moments of innocence,

This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 25: Innocence. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!

Choices

Forgive me. I’ve been a little MIA lately. Just haven’t fell well enough to write, in addition to all of the other things that are going on this time of year. Not to mention the fact that “the muse” hasn’t been there for me. For me as a writer I need to feel inspired. Today, finally, I am starting to get that spark of inspiration back. So, I looked through some of what I have been missing and noticed the topic at The Writer’s Post. It was called “Your Choice”. Well, since I actually missed the week that I needed to post it, I decided that I would right about it, except I am just going to call it “Choices”.

I often wonder what my life would have been like if I had made other choices when at a crossroads in my life. Should I stay or go, be reckless or play it safe, take this job or that, marry this guy or the other one. At the time, there were all very difficult decisions and I had to search my heart, listen to the facts and make that gut-wrenching choice that has led me to this very point in my life.

These last several years, and especially this last one, have been filled with monumental choices. Some of them were downright painful, some broke my heart and others left me drained to the point that I didn’t want to go on. All the sacrifices and well-intentioned devotion, all the disappointments, all the bitterness and anger practically consumed me. Yet, I perservered and have now come out on the other side of this period in my life I never thought I would find myself in nor ever wish on another person.

My choices today are much different than my previous ones. Each one is two-fold and start with the words “Will this make me happy?”, because today, it’s all about being happy. Nothing is more important to me now that having complete and total happiness. Life is just too short and I simply choose to be happy.

I don’t regret any of the choices I had made thus far. They have all brought me here. I know that I will have numerous choices going forward, and they will all be made thoughtfully and with great care. My choices now will be made to ensure that I will have nothing less than peace, serenity and happiness.




This post is written for The Writer's Post Blog Hop# 24: Your Choice. Interested in learning more, please check out the link below!