Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all !!

Taking a wee break from writing during the holidays-see you in the new year. Be safe !

In It To Win It

"In it to win it" I heard that quoted this morning on the news and I liked it...that can be used for so many things in life-work/career, personal accomplishments and goals...with so many uncertainties in life these days, that's not a bad mantra to use.

Best Laid Plans....

Well, the day is not going to unfold as I had hoped and planned...first of all I was awakened way to early this morning with my neighbor doing laundry-we have thin walls and the sound of running water for the washer sounds like it's in the same room with me...

I was to have a book reading today-I was pretty excited about it too-I bought a special Christmas shirt for the occasion and was looking forward to the whole Christmas theme and selling some books to have the extra money I need this month. To say I am very sad and bummed would be an understatement at the very least. Being the creative writer type that I am (and a lover of Hallmark movies), I had a beautiful Christmas card looking scenario in my head for today-Christmas lights...music...a little wine...the mountains...let it go I say, let it go!!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day tomorrow all.....

63...

I wanted to comment on what it's like now being 63...it's actually just fine...I like the fact that getting older just proves you area survivor. Age is state of mind-if you have your health, what does it matter what the number is...people asked me this past week if I was 39 again to which I quickly replied that I was 63 and quite proud of that. When one thinks of the alternative - aging is just fine.
At any rate, here's to getting more senior...

Memories

I am full of memories today...my oldest nephew is 40 today. I remember so vividly the day he was born, it was one of the happiest days of my life-a boy! I wanted a nephew so badly, I would have loved a niece of course, but I really wanted a boy. I would go into my sister-in-laws room, say "hi" and dash to the nursery to just stand in front of the window starring at Rob. I drove them home from the hospital and I almost prayed for red lights just so I could turn around and look at him. I was his first babysitter and the one that saw him through cutting his first 2 teeth-smart mommy and daddy let Auntie Lyn babysit those evenings and by the time they got home the tooth was through and Rob was asleep! He was my best bud and shadow after I came home from living in Belgium, but things have sadly changed, he is married and has 3 daughters and very rarely even sends a note on Facebook ...it's been 2 months, he's like his dad that way, not keeping in touch with family. I love him and I miss him, but at least I have some awesome memories!

Holy Moly..

It took me nearly 10 minutes to get to my blog site! At least I finally found it.

I'm not writing here too much lately because I'm busy writing other stuff...Facebook, genealogy stuff, and working a bit more on my next book. The book is kinda fractured, ideas scattered here and there in various notebooks, I figure eventually I'll have enough to pull it altogether and end up with a complete package. I like the idea behind it, I just hope I can do it justice. I think I'm a little afraid of it all...when I write I feel what I write, in a sense I live it, and the intense emotion I am hoping will come through, does have me questioning my ability to "live this".

I was pleased this week to have a customer at work tell me how pleased she was to meet my friends who inspired my last book. Then yesterday I had 2 people tell me how much they enjoyed it...now, if I could just sell some more of them. I've been challenged to make it an e-book, I think it's probably a good idea, but it's hard to justify the cost of doing it...

Well, make it a good day and have a great weekend!

News Programs

So, why do I watch news programs? Real people are dying from the heat back east and help tips to save lives gets 5 minutes coverage. HOWEVER - a "star" gets 90 days in jail for violating probation, and it gets 20 minutes coverage!

In so many ways I do not feel "old", but these kinds of events make me feel old-I have become my grandfather!

Where have I been...

Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I've written-where have I been? Good question, I'm not sure. Not in a writing mode, at least not for a blog-been keeping up with my journal somewhat...mostly still doing research on family "stuff". I'm sitting here starring at my computer scene and wondering what I should say and I'm drawing a blank. I think my brain is still sleeping-it just had two days off work and really wants a third.
On that cheery note I'll sign off-why write a bunch of words that have no value just for the sake of writing?!

2 June 2010

It is hard to believe that it's already June, half of 2010 is nearly officially over, where does the time go?!
I haven't blogged "on time" because of other issues going on in life these days. My mother is on life support back in Maryland. Although we do not have a true mother-daughter relationship, she is still family. The emotion of it all has kind of taken me for a loop. I don't know which is worse, hearing from my brother for the first time in nearly 8 years or facing the possibility of loosing the last of my previous generation-which makes me the "old" generation.
Life is filled with bittersweet things, but it's also an interesting journey for sure!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

That about sums it up-grrrrrrrrrrrr

I am so disgusted with all of the news programs this morning-more than half of the program was given to the last 3 couples from dancing with the stars. Give me a break!
Sure mention it,give it maybe even 10 minutes, but come on people-get real.
Okay, I buy the argument that the world news is depressing and we need something light and "fluffy", but again, over half the show...and, what makes them think everyone that watches the program is even into the dance thing?!
Again I say-Grrrrrrrrrr

It's a sad,sad day...

I have super major computer issues again and it's really getting to me. It's not like I have a few thousand dollars to replace my old one. I don't dare do any book "stuff" because I don't know what if any of what I write will be saved. My one game I allowed myself and truly enjoyed became so impossible to play I had to just delete it today-it was also a social outlet of sorts-I had contact with people I normally don't have touch with and now that's gone too. Like I said, it's a sad,sad day!

Living With The Dead....

So, did the title grab you? Hopefully. Okay, so I'm living in a funeral home or cemetery,I'm living with ancestors and let me tell you it is a very interesting life so far. The deeper I dig(no pun intended) the more I enjoy this journey back in time. Things are starting to make more sense as to my family dynamics.
I got my DNA results and there is quite a bit to take in and try to make sense of, but it is well worth it. I think I'm the only person I know that's done a DNA test,pretty cool.
Well, I need to get ready for work so..."Hi Ho, Hi Ho....it's off to work I go..."

Early this week...

I decided to write early this week - I may have plans on Sunday. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY !!!

I sure have been feeling bad about what has hit TN - the individual tragedies - the extreme loss. I feel bad for all the performers who have lost much if not all of their equipment, etc., but they make sooo much money they can regroup, what I really feel bad about is the great loss at the Grand Ole Oprey-history has been lost from the flooding. Guitars can be replaced, but those artifacts are irreplaceable. I'm just saying....

Welcome to May

Well, here we go, it's May. Is it just me or does anyone else find it to be more like "April showers", "March winds", and early autumn cold? Oh my goodness today's weather leaves much to be desired-sounds like the coming few days won't be much better.

So in a look back over recent events-a fire bomb in NY fails to explode - that's a good thing, not so good that someone planted one, but good that it didn't cause the havoc it could have.

Back to work tomorrow, but thankfully I have 2 days off after that, I so love my days off.

Well, make it a good week!

Here goes...

I have decided daily blogging is too much for the time being, so I'll do once a week, unless something super exciting or important comes up.

I have been caught up in a dilemma, I got a notice for jury duty for next month...the problem is I have this open wound that needs constant attention and has caused me to not want to go hardly anywhere for fear of injuring it further...also my car is untrustworthy to drive that far...again, my leg is why I don't want to use a bus...the sad thing is, for as long as I can remember I've wanted to sit on a jury trial, and now that I have opportunity it's not convenient. Then there's the work issue...maybe one day, I just hope they exempt me this time...life!

Have a great week....

Lady Lyn

Lady Lyn...okay, so I'm not "officially" Lady Lyn,I mean the Queen of England hasn't given me the title-yet. I actually have found my kinfolk allllll the way back to the Mayflower! I also now have a list of some famous people that I am related to-some made me extremely happy and others, not so much. It has made a difference already how I look at a few things and it explains where my love of writing has come from. I am related to 14 famous authors throughout history. Mind you, I am also related to one of the first women to be hanged in the Colonies too, but hey, even that has its charm in a somewhat sick and sad way.
Well, enough about the past, it's time to go out in the real and current world and make a little history for myself. Have a great day!

Family history updates

I'm sure this is somewhat boring to my reader(s), but my blog is my "outlet"...I continue to do research and I'm making headway. I may have found some ties to Normandy. I plan to spend most of my day doing more rearch soooo, I'd better get at it.

Reflections...

Yesterday was Holocaust Remembrance Day-65 years...the survivors are getting fewer with each passing year.

This has been a VERY bad year for Hollywood. I have said that already over the past few weeks, but with latest death, I feel compiled to say it again. Now we have lost Dixie Carter-she gave southern women a boast throughout her career. This was especially true with her role on Designing Women as Julia Sugarbaker...her southern accent was genuine-she was from TN, can't much more southern than that! Prayers for the family at this time and once again-thanks for the memories!

Me thinketh something is rotten in Danmark!

No...I did not spell Denmark wrong-in Danish it is spelled : Danmark.

So, why would I say something is rotten in Danmark? World News today reported that workers in the Carlsberg Beer Factory(Brewery) walked off their jobs because the company took issue with on the job drinking. Oh my goodness.

What will become of the beer supply and demand with such an earth shattering event slowing down production?! I wonder if another beer company had anything to do with this. I'm sure there is some evil plot behind it all. Danes and beer, they do go hand in hand. Having been there on more than one occasion I can tell you first hand, they do love their food and beer. Hopefully there will be a compromise to the satisfaction all all parties and if not, Belgium has more kinds of beer than any other nation in the world-a nice long vacation in Belgium just might be the ticket.

Go out there and make it a good day and weekend...

War Zone??

Oh my goodness, it was almost like living in a war zone-sound wise that is, this morning! Storms in the night and then this morning the thunder-it woke me up it was sooooo loud. At the moment it's clear and dry(and quiet), the weather reports are for the possibility of severe storms this afternoon again. The weather has been so crazy this year. I actually got so cold the other night I turned the heat on again, this is insane, heat in April?!
Well, if you have to go out be aware of possible weather changes and plan accordingly. Use caution and make it a good day!

Having my say...today is nothing...

I really have nothing to say today...all is well, just not feeling very chatty.

"It is a good day to die" Crazy Horse

I just finished watching,"Son of the Morning Star" and it occurred to me (yet again) what a violent history we have-full of greed, blood-shed and misunderstanding...hmmmm, not much different than modern day. In my own family history(like so many people)one side of my family battled against the other side...my Viking ancestors battled everyone, my Native battled one another and the white man and my northern forefathers fought my southern forefathers. Good grief, is it any wonder we are a people of conflicting emotions?

Count down to disaster...

I almost feel like I'm on a countdown to disaster...I made a list of things going wrong and quit at 5. I had my car smoking on Sat.-a bit unnerving I might add. Yesterday my primary computer gave up the ghost and my secondary on is acting up as well. I am using a borrowed one from work that is temperamental at best. So on and so on....
I watched the movie 2012 yesterday afternoon and the first thing I saw afterward was the news report that there had been a 7.2 earthquake in CA. It's just a little creepy.
All well, these things will pass, right. Eventually I'll get my car checked out and maybe one day have a computer that is mine and works properly...as for the rest of the break downs and issues, they will get fixed one day too.
Hope you have a good week...

Happy Easter !

Happy E#aster all....what a beautiful Easter morning...cold, yes...windy, yes...BUT...SUNNY!!
I've been singing an old Easter hymn this morning,"He Arose"-"Lo in the grave He lay, Jesus my Saviour...waiting the coming day,Jesus my Lord...up from the grave He arose,with a mighty triumph o'er His foes...He arose a victor o'er the dark domain and He lives forever with His saints to reign...He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!"
Have a blessed Easter and a good week ahead...........

Good Friday

Happy Good Friday...my thoughts about today are this-if the reason for this day has no impact on you, may I suggest you watch the movie "The Passion of the Christ". It puts things in perspective that even your wildest imagination could not top. When you study the Roman form of execution, death on the cross, it is horrific-it's a very slow and painful death. To think that Jesus went through all that and more because He loved us...
Whatever your faith or lack thereof, maybe it would be good to just stop and reflect for a minute or two today and give thanks.

Back at last....

Did you miss me? Two main factors have kept me away...sinus migraines and lack of Internet service,yep my service was down(including no telephone) due to a loose wire outside.

At any rate-Happy April Fools Day...be careful, I'm sure there are any number of people who are just waiting to "get you". One could be mother nature, not quite sure what the weather is doing today. One thing for sure we are in better shape than much of New England-especially poor little Rhode Island. I guess RI has a special place in my heart since I lived there in the 60's-college and beyond. I still have friends back New England, so I will be anxious to see how they are. One lady on the news this morning said she had fish swimming in her basement!

Well, I reckon' that's it for this morning-hope you are keeping well,make it a good day....

Family Research...

Well, I'm back on mt family research crusade. I took a gift card I got for Christmas and signed up for a month of unlimited research on Ancestry.com. One major problem with this-I get so involved I loose all concept of time. I'm a research junkie-the more I do the more I "must" do. 3 am I finally turned off my computer-good news I did trace some family back to 1817...I am searching both sides of my family so it is extremely time consuming and a bit frustrating. So many records either weren't kept or destroyed. Onward and upwards....

Life is like a box of chocolates...

Life is like a box of chocolates...sometimes you get nuts...sometimes you go nuts. Don't let the chocolates get you down!

Happy for the sunshine AND the Sonshine...

I'm sitting here thinking I need to get outside and enjoy the sunshine-it could be gone by tomorrow. The sunshine comes and goes around here-well, everywhere but, the Sonshine never leaves. Thinking about Passover and Easter coming gives cause for reflection about what is really important in life. It's not really about life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness as much as it is-where will I spend eternity. I am very thankful that I don't need to question or struggle with that question. I have an assurance that my home is in heaven thanks to the Sonshine I have in my heart. Thank You Jesus for that gift!

Land of the free...not so much...

America, the land of the free and the brave,brave soldiers maybe, but land of the free...not so much. The health care reform will now take away yet another of my freedoms. Did anyone ask me what I wanted? No! Did anyone give the US people a chance to vote on any of this? No!The government will force me to have health insurance and if I don't, I will be fined. So, this makes perfect sense to the blind masses-people like myself who cannot afford insurance will be forced to pay out money I can't afford to loose, for something I don't want. You want me to have health insurance Mr Obama-then YOU pay for it and leave my little money alone!

Glorious Weather....

Today we are having glorious weather-much too nice to stay inside on the computer or watching movies. Tomorrow is suppose to be rainy and nasty, that's the day to stay in and veg. Today I shop for herbs and flowers and get them planted-the hardy kind in case we get a late freeze or even snow. Herb garden in the kitchen window, small enough to maintain and handy to use while cooking, that's what I'm talking about. So, having said all that, off I go. Enjoy the sunshine all....

Godd-bye old friend....

Time to say good-bye to another childhood friend...Fess Parker was one of my childhood heroes...Davey and Daniel. I have to wonder if anyone over the age of 60 "did not" watch those programs and movies. Coon Skin Caps...I have one, yup, you read that right, I have a coon skin cap. I wasn't lucky enough to have one as a child (however I always had a cowboy hat and Indian moccasins), but my best friend got me one several years ago-just because. So..."Good-bye old friend and thanks for the memories..."

Kids Having Strokes

Amazing news today-children have strokes...strokes are the 6th cause of death in children, including infants! Normally strokes are more common in people over the age of 65 and who have other health issues in play. In children the causes are usually due to undetected health issue from birth-sickle cell, heart conditions, as well as other things-the symptoms are similar. The "good" news is that children are more apt to fully recover more easily than adults.
I can honestly say I have never heard of this before today and just wanted to share this info with you.

Ah the single life....

Who ever said life was easy? Married or single we all have our issues we need to deal with day to day. If you are single, you don't have to worry about infidelity but you also have to do repairs around the house yourself. If you are married you have someone to share the ups and downs of life with, if you are single, you can come and go as you please.
Today I had a taste of the plus and minus side of single life...I had to deal with getting my car serviced-I needed to wait for my income tax refund to come before I could get it into the shop...married, my husband could have done the work months ago. With today being St Patrick's Day, if married I'd have had to cook a big corned beef and cabbage dinner, being single, I just got a serving at The Market and came home and ate it out of the container-no clean-up as such.
Yes there are pluses and minuses to both...whatever your lot in life, I hope you are making the best of it, I'm trying to...

Miracles and Messes

News of the day is filled with stories of miracles and messes. The messes are tied into the horrific flooding back east from the rain and melting snow-lives have been lost and it appears it will take a very long time to recover from all the damage. In addition to the rain and flooding, they had hurricane like winds which caused a massive amount of damage as well.
Miracles-the first double transplant surgery to give an accident victim a new left hand and a right arm from the upper arm down. All therapy will take up to two years, mainly for the right side, but he is already able to use his left hand slightly just days after the surgery. I hope all goes well for him.
Just a note-another Hollywood great has died-Peter Graves(Arness)died just days shy of his 84th birthday. He is best known for tne Mission Impossible TV series and the movie Airplane. He was the brother of James Arness of Gunsmoke fame.
Rain or no rain, make it a good day!

"I fell the earth move..."

In light of all of the earthquake activity around the world lately, I just want to share an observation. I'm thinking old old Blaine,Washington is shaky ground even without any earthquake activity. I sit in my recliner and a train goes through town and my chair vibrates very noticeably, I see the leaves on my plants moving as if a strong wind were blowing them...not a very secure or comforting feeling let me tell ya! I hate to think what it would be like if even a small earthquake occurred. Me thinks it's about time to move to higher ground.

Ghost Hunters

Well, I have found out that a day of watching the TV show, "Ghost Hunters" can affect your sleep. I did not have bad dreams or nightmares, but I was busy all night visiting the places I saw - prisons, mental hospitals, and old houses and buildings-even the underground tunnels in Seattle.
The show holds a genuine interest for me, not that I'm into the haunting part so much as I am the history behind these places. I love,love,love history(not all aspects,but most), and you get sooo much historic info about the places the teams go to. The thing I like too, is how they sometimes dispel the legends of the haunting-one they "proved" false was that of the Lizzie Borden House, much to the disappointment of the owners of the house.
One place they visited was the Northern Mental Hospital in Sedro Wooley,WA. The reason I was so fascinated by that place is because I have a friend who was a patient there in the 30's. Oh my goodness, I am amazed he survived that place at all, let alone with any amount of normalcy.
At any rate-have a great day!

Magical Places - part 2

I didn't have any comments here on the blog, but I did get several answers on Facebook. I was surprised that no one named "famous" places like Paris or Rome or even Central Park. I got answers like Disneyland or Disney World, but more like meadows of flowers and such, by a lake, things like that.
For me, at this time in my life, my magical place is on Lummi Island here in WA. I can get lost in the awesomeness and also inspired in my writing. I can de-stress and totally relax-it's special beyond words for me.

Magical Places

Have you ever found a magical place, a place that became a safe haven, a place that inspired you, that made you feel alive, a place that made you believe anything was possible?!? I suppose we could all say we have seen places,either in person or via TV,movies,books or magazines that evoked a special emotion, but there is always that one that sticks out more than all the rest.
I'd love to take a survey to see where that magical place is for my readers - it would be interesting to see how many people shared the same place-if anyone did. When I think of magical places I think of the obvious choices, world famous sites, but I'm sure there are places little known to the world at large that hold special meaning perhaps to you and you alone...
Well, if you are reading this, I hope you will respond and tell me about your magical place...I'll tell you mine, after I see yours.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day one and all!

So, the Olymics are dominating everyone's thoughts, conversation and TV watching these days. I must say, for the most part I'm just as bad. Some events don't really thrill me all that much, but other events-oh yeah. I live vicariously through every ski-jumper - never have had the inner anything to do it myself and at my age and fear levels now have no desire to learn, but I enjoy watching others. Mind you, I'd never give up a good murder mystery to watch someone ski on TV, but the Olympics, that's a whole different story.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing-have a great day!

Valentine'sDay-7 AND The Olympics

Final entry for the Valentine's Day tips for singles :

10. If all else fails, have yourself a good old fashioned pity party and then - " Suck it up buttercup" and get on with your life - Valentine's Day is only one day after all.

The Olympics...let me say that the opening ceremonies were some of the best, if not the best, I have ever seen! Canadians should be very proud of the organizers. The only sad part was the fact that a young man from Georgia(former USSR) died in a practice luge run. From a moment of happiness and pride his family was overcome by insurmountable grief. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this 21 yr. old young athlete and to his teammates.

Valentine's Day - 6

Nearly to the end of my Valentine's Day blogging, today is one of my favorites, especially the ice cream part...

9. Go to your favorite bookstore and buy that book you've been wanting to read. Stop off for Chinese take-out, go home and get into your jammies. Eat right of the carton and read. OR Go to your local drugstore and buy a couple of cheap romance novels and a quart of ice cream. Go home, get into your jammies and read your books. Of course you eat ALL of the ice cream-vowing to yourself that you WILL go to the gym next week.

Today is the beginning of the Winter Olympics in BC,Canada - best wishes to all of our athletes!

Valentine's Day -5

Three more days until "V - Day"...so, here I go with the next "tip" :

7. Go on a retreat - Monasteries are quite lovely this time of year - especially in the South of France or Tuscany. Just think how lovely it would be, everyone else there is single too and the bonus this would bring-all the wine, cheese and bread you want,hmmmmm. Where is that passport!

8. Stay home from work and watch Divorce Court-better yet, find a local courthouse and go watch an actual divorce proceeding - it will make you feel better about being single.

Happy Thursday all!

Valentine's Day -4

It's Wednesday and another week is flying by as is this month. By the time Valentine's Day gets here half of February will be over-good grief. At any rate, here is my next "what to do if you are alone on V day"....

5. Treat yourself to a fancy dinner from your favorite restaurant,take out of course, don't torture yourself by seeing all those "cutesy" couples, rent a movie and go home. Old classics like "Breakfast At Tiffanys" or if you need a good cry, "The Way We Were" are good choices-just make sure you have plenty of tissues handy.

Well, there you have it for another day.

Valentine's Day - 3

Here we are, day 3 of the countdown to Valentine's Day...here are two more ideas :

4.Borrow a child from friends or family ane go out for pizza or burgers. Then go see a kid movie. Let out your inner child(who by the way,could care less about having a date for Valentine"s Day). It might surprise you just how much fun you'll have.

5.Put all your energy into tackling some project you've put off forever-like cleaning out and burning all those old love letters from ole what's its name OR finally writing those Christmas thank you notes you've been meaning to do. Wear yourself out and go to bed early.

Have a great day...til tomorrow then...

Valentine's Day-2 AND Super Bowl....

All I want to say is : The Saints won the Super Bowl!!!!!!!!!! Enough said.......

So, the countdown continues to Valentine's Day and here is #3 suggestion for a single and "alone" person :

3. Hang out with some of your other single friends(misery loves company) and do something "crazy". Don't plan it, go with the flow. You could be pleasantly surprised how much fun you'll have.

Well, there you have for today........

Valentine's Day...1

One week from today is Valentine's Day...for those of us who are single and no involved in a relationship, this can prove to be a difficult day. I have written a brief article on 10 ways to "Love Yourself On Valentine's Day". I'll write 1 or 2 of them each from today until the arrival of the accursed day. I'm not sure if the fact it falls on a Sunday will help or not...it will be a greater reminder of the greatest love ever-that of Jesus for mankind.

1. Send yourself flowers at work-it will drive your co-workers nuts wondering who sent them and what you're not telling them. This one works with or without a card attached card and both men and women can do this.

2. Take a personal day or call in sick from work and treat yourself to a day at a spa. There are all day packages for both men and women that include snacks and often a light lunch. This one is good for body and soul.

Did I happen to mention, I have personally proven these to be tried and true, some I have done several times over...