The Heartbeat of Joy by J. Grace:
https://books2read.com/b/mv2e2j
This is a SHORT STORY continuation of I’ll Be Home for Christmas, A Christmas Novella.
Shelby and Jeremiah were married less than two months ago after being apart for more than a year, but now they are blissfully happy living life as though they were never apart. Just as they find themselves in a rhythm again a new development pops up out of nowhere and they find themselves on the journey of a lifetime!
I can’t believe my time off is almost half over. Where did the time go? I know where it went – lots of holiday things but I’ve still managed to be productive.
All the crocheting I needed to get done, I finished on Sunday! I was very pleased to finish the slippers Sunday instead of Monday – pushing the deadline of needing them done by Christmas. Last night I watched a new show while I crocheted. Wynonna Earp – I thought it was going to be an old time western from the female perspective. Nope. It’s a modern paranormal show based on the descendant of Wyatt Earp. It was enthralling. There are definitely lots of twists and turns. I’m binging the first season so tonight when I work on the afghan I’ve got going, I’ll be watching it.
Writing – I’ve been working on updating a bunch of stuff. It’s been a very productive time which I’m seeing the end of the tunnel for this project.
Today I’m alone in my house. I can’t remember the last time I was alone in my house for a full day. I’m enjoying it. I’ve gotten through the massive number of emails, worked on my website (ongoing) and hope to finish the project today.
In addition, I’ve made phone calls for my daughter and corresponded with our insurance and a variety of other people.
I’ve got a sale going on Smashwords! Free books include Wayfarer, Defenders of the People, and a short story collection Grandma’s Doilies. The rest of the Wayfarer and Defenders series are 25% off along with Murder Next Door, Dragon Lord’s Mate, Draconian Peace and Quick & Easy Throws. Jute & Cotton Baskets, Rise of the Ancients, Moon Affirmations, Secret Past, and the three Moments in poetry books are all 50% off.
Ava Taylor also has items on sale on Smashwords! She has Sibling Rivalry & Three Races for free. Exploring Desires, Prospecting, Prisoner 849, Snowbound, Her Captain and Courtesan are all 25% off.
I’ve been trying to stay off social media because again – needed a break but with this sale, I need to be posting at least once a day about it. Even during the holidays, I don’t stop working because it’s important I keep engaging people.
I went to my family Christmas. While there, I delivered items to people. I also got orders for more stuff. The good thing about this – I’m going to Joann’s over the weekend. I’m really looking forward to shopping with my niece. It will be a nice outing for the two of us. I hope I can find the colors of the items I want. Joann’s has a sale going on for which I’ve gotten a flyer which I’ll be taking with me. The fabulous thing – I have two gift cards for $125 so none of what I buy I’ll be paying for! I get to feed my obsession without paying for my obsession.
Our immediate family is doing Christmas on Saturday! We normally do ours early and I’m not sure I like the late thing but the girls are all going to be together. I think it will be good. We’ll video chat. There are several things I want to see the girls open and hope they like.
Until then, I have a long to do list… too long to list here.
The turkey was barely cold before the shopping frenzy started this year. Vicki actually talked me into going to an insane number of stores.
The nice thing – we used coupons to save money. We used our apps – Ibotta and Checkout 51 – to save money. While we did some spending, we reduced the price as much as possible.
I need to get working on afghans. I have a queue of five right now – more I’m sure if I look at my list. However, before I can crank on the afghans, I have to finish the holiday gifts which I have two or three left to do.
I’m going to have a number of days off between Christmas and New Years. I’m looking forward to the time but the holidays are always a struggle for me. It surprised me this year how annoying I found holiday music – even songs I enjoyed previously. I’ve also been super annoyed with the Christmas commercials which started right after Halloween.
I’m going to attempt to be less of a bah humbug but I’m making no guarantees. Ken told me the neighbors were all putting out their decorations. All I could think was what a waste of money. I know I’m a humbug. I try to keep it to a minimum but still… it affects me.
In an attempt to look on the bright side, I’ve been enjoying how November hasn’t been as gloomy. We’ve had great weather which is a bit unusual for us. It’s been pleasantly cool but still nice enough to enjoy. The days haven’t been too gloomy – though today is. I’m watching the low clouds move across the sky and thinking they look like snow clouds but I don’t think we’re quite cold enough for snow yet.
December is fast approaching, work is slowing down from frantic to crazy. I’m looking forward to about eleven days off in a row at the end of the month. I’m hoping to get a lot of crocheting and organizing done. In the meanwhile, I’ll work on not being grumpy with people about the holidays.
I have four work days, one final exam, and a lot to get done this week. Then I’m on vacation. I cannot wait.
Today is errand day for me. I’ve got an appointment and I’m running errands after that appointment. Then when all the hassle of those errands are done I’m going to write. I have this week off and I’m hoping to get a lot of writing done.
Christmas was bearable. Thankfully no extra drama. It was wonderful to see my brother at a family function. It was also nice to have a fairly quiet day with the family. I had some lovely conversations with two of my nieces and some others. Those sparkling moments made the day but I am glad it is over. The anxiety of the day has faded.
I look outside my window this morning and I have a white overcast day with white snow on the ground and except for the stark gray/brown of the trees, deep green of the evergreens, and the houses I think it would all be white out there. The bare trees stand out against the white like sentinels demanding we pay homage. Father Winter is definitely in his prime.
We are past Mid Winter now though so the days grow ever so slightly longer each day. We have just a minute or two more of daylight every day to encourage us to keep looking forward. This is Wisconsin though so who knows how long winter will last….
Those who know me, know I don’t enjoy Christmas. For others it is a great time of celebration and shopping. For me it is stressful, loathsome, and difficult. I always feel stressed out about being in such large groups – both shopping and at family gatherings. I’d much rather meet one on one and have a quiet gathering than to have 20 – 30 people in a small space.
Over the years I’ve learned to not shop after Thanksgiving. The stores are crazed and people are insane. When I go into the stores I feel a greediness so opposite of what the season is supposed to be about. I watch the other shoppers rush around, grump at their kids, and be stressed out. I think to myself – why are you doing this?
Family gatherings are difficult. It is always chaotic and loud. There are always so many people around you can barely hear your own thoughts let alone conversation. This year we went to Ken’s side and it was better. I spoke with nieces and nephew who I enjoy and have something in common with. I listened to stories from brothers-in-law. We had conversations which were fairly pleasant. I know Ken would have liked to stay longer but I’d had my fill of crowded loud gathering.
We came home and I napped. I think I just needed to gather some peaceful energy around me to recuperate from the overload.
Today we go to my family gathering. I’m trying to not get stressed out about the whole thing. I would rather stay home in front of the fire and read all day but I won’t. I’m sure it will be loud and stressful for me. I’m hopeful that there will be some good quiet conversations while I’m there. Only time will tell…
The girls arrived safely finally. Their plane was delayed an hour and being goofy I watched online while they traveled north. I kept bugging my sister giving her status updates…
Ken and I ran errands after work. When we got home, there they were peeking around the edge of the door. Almost the first thing they said was can we open gifts. Reminded me of when they were little (or last year). Patience has never been one of their stronger virtues…
Ken had to start a fire because they were cold and we spent the next two hours chatting and catching up. It has been wonderful. Now the girls and Ken have gone off to shop. I’m home alone in the blissfuly quiet house.
Tomorrow will be busy. Our Christmas stuff in the morning, traditional tacos for lunch. Then bunches of people in the afternoon. I have no idea how many are coming but it will be a good time with friends and family coming to see the girls and hang out.
Sunday will be a quieter day, I think. I’m not quite sure what we are doing yet. I’m sure it will involve a lot of laughter and joy… and maybe a bit of grumbling. There usually is in our household but it is all good because we just deal with it.
It seems like such a short time but at least we are together and can enjoy each other no matter how long we have. It is wonderful to have the whole family together….