Sunday, May 28, 2017

House Design Fun!

Bedroom Walls Going Up

Bathroom Wall

     Our house is coming along!  We have been working simultaneously on the house and shed, so that we can move all of our stuff all at one time.  The weather for the last week or so has been so wonderful, that the hubby has been trying to finish the shed.

     However, when rain has been threatening recently, he came indoors to work.  The other day, I came home from work to these walls.  The hubby and I took the time to map out where everything will go. 

     I have always lived in pre-existing houses, so I never really gave much thought to the placement of everything.  I mean, light switches and outlets were just there. 

     But now, I am actually getting asked my opinion on where I would like everything. He has been even putting my lefthandedness into the mix! After living for a half century as a left-hander in a right-hander's world, I am getting to make decisions based on being a lefthanded!

    So, it has been an interesting week...from helping put a roof on the shed, to pretending to turn on a light switch to decide placement.

     This process so far really has been a fledgling endeavor.  I have never helped build a house or a shed. Although my hubby is doing a most of the work, I have taken on new endeavors as I learn how to help him. 
        

Saturday, May 20, 2017

We've Been Busy!

I' m sorry! 😞

I know I haven't posted for a while. But I have a really good excuse.

No, actually, I really do...

The hubby and I have been working really hard on getting the house, and shed, ready for us.

He works hard on it, while I am at work. On the weekends, it is a team effort.

Here are a few pictures to show what we've been up to recently:


Hubby hard at work with the electrical



Electrical supplies ready to go 





Roof cover going up
Tomorrow, we will get the shed roof done.

Good chance that the walls will probably be up, too.

If any more time exists before we get completely exhausted, more electrical might possibly be put in, too.

No rest for the wicked, right?! Lol. 

Gotta go! Sleep is calling my name...

But, I just wanted to give y'all a glimpse into our world at the moment. 

Stay tuned!!!

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Time for a Dreamchaser Spotlight!

     I have been inspired to follow my own heart because I have met some quite adventurous people that are following their passions everyday.

     Several years ago, I invited four authors to speak at my library about their craft, and the life of a writer.  After this event, I had the fortune of becoming friends with one of these wonderful ladies.
   
     Her name is Sandy James.  By day, she is a high school teacher. However, she has also carved out a successful career as an award-winning author, while still continuing to be a well-loved educator.

    She is the author of several stand-alone novels. and quite a few book series.  Too numerous to list them all here, but I can tell you that I have already read  Turning Thirty-Twelve (my personal favorite!), Rules of the Game, Murphy's Law, and All the Right Reasons (updated and re-releasing on May 9th). You can also add the first books in the Safe Havens series, and The Ladies Who Lunch series to my already-read list! (books 2-4 have been downloaded and are ready to read, by the way! LOL)

    As you can tell by the previous paragraph, I have already become a big fan of hers! According to her standings on Amazon, she has many more fans, also. She has won awards for her work, including the Maggie Award for Excellence Finalist and the Holt Medallion Award.

     I hope you enjoy learning more about this fascinating, adventurous person.  She is truly an inspiration to anyone wanting to know how to make your dreams a reality.  If you would like to learn more about Sandy, please visit her website, www.sandyjames.com/index , or go to Amazon to learn more about her books.


Sandy James

1.  What is your dream? 


To be JK Rowling? 
Actually, my dreams have changed over the years. First it was to write a novel. Then it was to get an agent and pursue publishing. Now, I want to be on one of the “big” bestsellers’ lists. Dreams should grow with the dreamer, or else you’re just standing still.

2.  Was any kind of "large leap" needed to make your dreams come true?  


My life changed drastically from the moment I started writing that first book. I found that I was so consumed with writing that other things were “downgraded” in my life. Who wants to spend time vacuuming when there are stories to be written and heroines to ravish? ;)

3. What were some of the small steps that you were able to make until you made the "big leap"? 

Resetting priorities was the first step. And not just to find time to write. A good writer must also grow in the craft. I had to share my work with others and learn from their suggestions. It’s difficult to put your “baby” out there for others to judge, knowing that someone might tell you that “baby” is ugly as sin. But without constructive criticism, without learning, there is no growth. 

4. What convinced you to make any big changes to your life?


I am a superlative Type A personality, so I didn’t need a lot of convincing. I was very lucky to have a core group of friends, fellow teachers, who became my cheerleaders early on. Their input and support convinced me to keep going beyond just checking that first book off my bucket list. 

5. On a day-to-day basis, how are you making everything work? 

My husband lost a two-year battle to colon cancer in September. His illness and my caring for him made it next to impossible for me to write. My priority, the only true purpose my life had, was to help him any and every way that I could. 
Now, my “new” life is trying to figure out who I am and where I’m heading. The emotional battle still rages, but I’m slowly carving a new life out for myself. I met Jeff when I was seventeen, and we were married thirty-three years. I had never been on my own, so I had to rethink everything. I’m happy to say that I’m back at work, both as a teacher and as an author. I’m on this new journey to figure out what my life is and what it will be.

6. What words of advice do you have for our readers?

Life is too damn short, so don’t waste it on people and things that don’t make you happy. ☺ 

Friday, May 5, 2017

My Hubby's Fledgling Endeavor

 This week, my husband was the one who was able to work on his dreams.  For several years, he has talked about getting into beekeeping.  Due to moving, and other extenuating circumstances, he hasn't been able to work on this dream of his.

Until now...

We were over at the Cabin the other day, working on the interior. As we started to pull out of the driveway, this is what we saw on one of the trees:



A little closer inspection, revealed it to be a swarm of honeybees!




We were able to round up a hive, and the advice of a seasoned beekeeper from the local Beekeepers group.  The hubby was able to get them out of the tree, and into the hive, before the rains started in earnest.


                                    



And he was able to accomplish this with only one sting...that just happened to be extremely close to his eye! He was lucky!

So, let's see where this fledgling endeavor takes him.  Who knows, maybe we will be eating good fresh honey in the foreseeable future!