I love you guys!

No, I'm not drunk!

Thank you so much for your kinds words about my puppy. I haven't had that many comments in quite a while, and I was feeling the love... I guess love is in the air -- Happy February!

And happy Feb IWSG

Not much to report this month - just a couple of announcements:

1st - Though the IWSG Anthology contests are discontinued for now, we are still hoping to keep the IWSG Anthology blog going. We will be contacting the authors of all the anthologies to beg ask them to write posts once in a while -- offering advice, checking in, and snippets of writing.

If you are one such author and you're interested in contributing, let me know!

2nd - As in Feb 2nd! Happy Groundhog Day! 

Do you have any predictions on how much longer we will be smothered in cold weather?? Will that silly critter see it's shadow? Guess we will find out tomorrow

Thanks for stopping by - I will try to make my rounds this weekend

via GIPHY

What happened to May?

I can't believe I missed a whole month!

Well, yes I can. Here's how it went...

It all started in April as stressful wedding plans culminated into beautiful nuptials in Charleston, SC on May 1:

my middle son and his new bride

Then as soon as we returned home, I had to:

    1) motivate my youngest son to fulfill his graduation responsibilities and help him get ready for his PROM!

    2) reign in the seniors that I teach for their last days and do little gifts for them

    3) finish organizing and planning my son's graduation party

    4) go to 2 graduations - one where I teach, then my son's

    5) finalize, set up, and finally enjoy my son's grad party -- to close the month on Memorial Day!

Not to mention, while all those major events were going on, I attended baseball games, awards dinners, senior night, emptied my classroom for summer, printed pictures, had a few crying sessions, and scrounged up time to get some regular chores done... And now, it's June. I can't believe I survived!

As I embark on summer break, I hope to find a spark to write. I've caught glimpses of poems floating around in my head, possibly lyrics, or maybe even a short story... I'm wishful thinking!

Hope you are enjoying warmer weather and sunnier days.

And may you find inspiration among the mundane madness!

I plan to visit around the blogs this summer - it's been too long!

Happy IWSG day

I Love a Happy Ending

I especially love a happy ending that leads to a beautiful beginning.

If you set any resolutions, I hope those haven't ended. But you can resolve to make improvements in your life at any time of the year! I found a great list of inspirational changes for a better you (and me). I edited it down to a more manageable list because I find a shorter list is easier to handle (and remember). Maybe just try one each month (and hope they stick from the previous month)

15 Positive Resolutions... (borrowed from Article)

1. Drink more water
2. Move more, sit less
3. Volunteer more
4. Call mom/siblings/grandparents more
5. Live simple, consume/waste less
6. Turn on music instead of video
7. Take more breaks
8. Ditch one bad habit
9. Clean out your in-box
10. Take a 24-hr break from social media once a month
11. Clean out your closet
12. Make a new friend
13. Learn a new language
14. Organize your photos
15. Go outside more

I started working on #2 - I was doing great with my nightly treadmill treks, until I got sick again. I'm trying to get back into it now that I'm better. The trick is to remember to go down there when I'm at a break before my alarm goes off. I'm usually in the middle of something for the alarm and forget to go later.

I also picked up #6 - not that I watch much TV or videos these days. And not that I have much interest in the current TV Series. I've been watching re-runs of old faves and new-to-me oldies. But turning on my radio instead of wasting time trying to find something to watch has been a pleasant change.

And I hope to carry these forward into my regular routine when I choose another one... 

This summer I hope to pick back up on my writing. I've had a few ideas strike me but time is not on my side. I'm just glad we have the IWSG to keep me blogging. It's so nice to communicate with you all. Something I don't want to come to an end any time soon!

Speaking of Happy Endings, we are celebrating Valentine's Day with lovely bites from each author in the new IWSG anthology - First Love. Stop by if you can!

So, do you have any positive changes you're working on?

Is this year going well? I hope so!

Stay warm and optimistic!

Day 13: Love #30DaysofGratitude

Love is power, makes us weak

Love is faithful, love is deep

It makes us crazy, desperate need

Infatuation blooms with speed

True love lasts, brings joys and pains

Through it all, love remains

We sing about it, joke about it, 

Sometimes fantasize

We dream about it, scheme about it, 

Til we realize...

Life is nothing, without love

Join in remembering what matters and share what you're thankful for.

Stop by others participating... Elizabeth Seckman, Charity Bradford & Diane Burton