BLOGWORDS – Friday 31 March 2023 – SPECIAL EDITION – THE PURGE – CONFESSIONS of a BORDERLINE HOARDER

SPECIAL EDITION – THE PURGE – CONFESSIONS of a BORDERLINE HOARDER

If you’ve wondered why I’ve been quasi-MIA in recent weeks, read on…

“I’m an artist,” I said. “I can use it.” And I could use it. Potentially, eventually, maybe one day…

“It’s a keepsake,” I said. “It has special meaning.” And it did. Once upon a time.

But ten, twenty years—FORTY YEARS—later it’s just collecting dust. I mean ALL the research from eight novels?!?!?!? WHYYYY???? Research papers from 4 years of college—and some from high school, which was more than a few years ago. Although I pared this down a few years ago, I still had an absurd number of my kids’ school papers; I saved only the best and put them in an album.

How many paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls does a person need? Stashed away, I mean. ‘Cause there’s ALWAYS more where those come from, right? Miscellaneous printer paper, plain and with designs—reams of it gone! And yes, I had literally reams of paper stashed away for eventually…

And boxes! Oh Dear Lord, WHYYYY???? To store more junk? Plastic containers, too. ‘Cause I might “need” them someday. Gone. All gone. Well, except the nicest boxes to use for gifts. Styrofoam containers (which I thought was a step up from corrugated cardboard) all tossed. Random packing paper and bubble wrap. No longer in da house.

I don’t have a before pic of the closet but it was JAMMED with boxes and bags of stuff.

The hardest to part with were the stuffed animals. Teddy and Dolly and Bunny were my mother’s. I had them safely tucked away until I could create a display in an old timey pram. (Where, I ask you, would I even put it in my small house?) I kept only Thomas Tigger the Tiger (I was little and apparently named him twice) and tucked the other lovies in a garbage bag (that’s even hard to write) but I could not bring myself to put it in the trash; I had to have my son do that for me.

Even with “the goods” stashed and stacked in plastic bins, it was absurd. While it appears tidy, there lurks unknown miscellany. The bin with the red lid, however, housed my Christmas tin collection. Dating back to 1993, I have not kept it up the past few years. Nor do I have space to display them anymore. As with the aforementioned lovies, I kept one. Unlike the aforementioned lovies, the remaining tins are in a box for Goodwill.

There are several reasons I’ve held onto so much for so long. I’m an artist. I could literally make art out of anything. I’m sentimental. Too much so, apparently. I’ve never had a budget with “cushion” to replace something if I need it after I throw it out. And, honestly, though not technically inherited, it has run through generations.

And it STOPS here!

Oh, there’s still plenty of “stuff” here—my paints and canvases, scrapbooking materials, and GOBS of photos. Photos of ancestors, photos that I will catalog and IDENTIFY, and save in scrapbooks.

 This isn’t the first purge I’ve attempted; but it is the most thorough. And it’s taken me a month to do it. I neglected to get a picture but I was appalled and disgusted at the MOUNTAIN we set out for trash pick-up that first week. The third week was slightly less but still a ridiculous amount of trash.

And that’s not counting the number of boxes are going to or have already gone to Goodwill. Or the treasures I’ve shared with family and friends. Like that purple Angry Bird on top. Couple of Care Bears, too, that went to my neighbor’s kiddos. I decorated that Christmas-looking box for my Christmas decorations. There were 2 other similar boxes, plus the bin with the tins. That bin now holds what decorations I’m keeping; the other 2 boxes are gone.

I was more intent on getting the project done than capturing images, but I did snap a few, which I now share for you gawking enjoyment.

While I’ve been poking around with this deep clean for years, I really was just piddling at it. Made precious little progress. Current circumstances, however, gave greater urgency, and now I can say the worst is done. Art is messy. But that doesn’t mean my house has to be.

BONUS: The sense of accomplishment and that feeling of release when I toss something I previously would have stashed away.

Now, back to writing…..

#Blogwords, Special Edition, The Purge, #hoardingnothoarding, #packrat #allthestuff, #mementos, #keepsakes, #transparent, vulnerable

#FourSquareChristmasStories

#ChristmasatBlueHeronInn

#Christmasdisasters

#ChristmasinJanuary

#ChristmasontheBeach

#FamCom

#FamilyComedy

#twinfiction

#twinsmarryingtwins

#fictionwriter

#battleforidentity

#cominginFebruary

#amwriting

#amediting

#fictionwriting

#faithfiction

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BLOGWORDS – Monday 7 December 2020 – SPECIAL EDITION – THE STATE of the BLOG and REM

SPECIAL EDITION – THE STATE of the BLOG and REM

Once upon a time I wrote like the wind. Like my pants were on fire. I wrote and couldn’t stop.

Until one day, it stopped. Oh, my stories are still there, my characters are still talking to me. But… something happened two years ago and I couldn’t focus, I couldn’t get the words to flow like they used to. #insertpityparty

Little by little, all the things I had started—the blog and all my lovely features—guest posts, interviews, featured books, recipes, Sunday devotions—not to mention my new series—have dwindled away. #WAAAAA  At least I’m still doing reviews.

In the months immediately following my second knee surgery (June 2018) I had bona fide chronic (and miserable) insomnia! #thatSUCKS

My knee recovered quite well from the surgery but apparently I didn’t… #shrugs No idea why or what happened if anything. Coincidence? Maybe.

Then again, there’s my old nemesis, Do More Than Is Humanly Possible. #rollingmyeyes  Then again, I’ve always managed… Really! I did! I promise! Okay, okay, maybe not… My degree is BSA in Interior Design. So when I kept looking at my sad windows with curtains I’ve had for YEARS and blinds that had suffered kitten phenomena, something snapped. And my designer brain just couldn’t take it anymore. Little by little, piece by piece, I’ve begun to actually decorate my home. (no more storage locker ambience LOL) (Also courtesy of the Stimulus Money!! (Thank you, President Trump!!!) * pics to come in a later post. Pics that will include some, er, uh, before and afters! Because in order to truly decorate my home, I had to purge it, too. YEARS of junk, lugged through countless moves! #colormeembarrassed It took weeks (read: months) to sift through boxes and bins, and organize what I kept. (I’m an artist, you know. #artsupplies of course.) NOTE: It only took so long because I had to pace myself. I had to make the executive decision to put my writing aside in order to GET.THIS.DONE! And it paid off!

Now that the bulk of that is done, that which remains is the fun stuff—the painting and refinishing furniture, creating scrapbooks (vs countless pics in benign albums.) I’m baking again! And keeping my little house clean. And I’m going for walks again, and short sets on an exercise bike a friend gave me.

In addition to all that, my granddaughter started high school and is taking French. Because I’m all about words #authorbrain and languages #logophile, I decided to beef up the ‘peu’ of French I already knew. That was three months ago and I’m SAILING through the lessons. (May I say how J’dore duolingo.com! Lessons are so easy—at least for moi!) I speak Spanish as well, which helps in learning French.

Another sad distraction—I thought I was at the beginning of a new relationship. Suffice to say it failed before it had a chance to begin. I was heartbroken but it’s done and I’m okay. #FatherGodhasmuchbetterforme

~ and here’s the news you’ve all been waiting for ~

My writing voice is back. * Fascinating author bit—a few weeks ago I was lamenting not writing, and Bethy and Mere assured me that they understood, and even encouraged me to focus on the task at hand—the house—and return to them when my mind was clear to write.

That time has come. They have been beckoning me to return to the story and finish it. (I’m roughly 80% through and decided to change my POV to first person. #yippee #shouldhavedonetobeginwith)

Two years have passed and my blog has become sparse, almost bare. A featured book or few, a couple of Special Reports / Current News posts. Reviews. I can’t say when or if I’ll move back to full swing with a different feature EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. (I bow to Carrie Schmidt and Reading is My SuperPower! She, too, has autoimmune issues and yet manages to roll those posts off the cyber-blog-press!)

But I can say this, Two for the Price of One WILL be finished AND released in 2021. Can’t say yet when but I’m thinking April or May. ish… Meanwhile, the memes and blogposts and FB posts about Bethy and Mere will resume.  #fingerscrossed

Thank you thank you thank you to all who have stayed with me, and to those who are new to my blog. Once upon a time, I responded to each and every comment, That, too, has sadly gotten lost in the wasteland fog that had enveloped my brain. And that, too, I intend to correct!

I love and appreciate all of you and wish you the happiest of holiday seasons. May Father God bestow upon you His richest blessings this year and in the year to come.

#Blogwords, Special Edition, The State of the Blog and REM, Robin’s Nest, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare, #brainfog

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BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 12 June 2018 – SPECIAL EDITION – FOCUS

SPECIAL EDITION – FOCUS

“Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” – Carol Burnett

 

To that end, I have come to accept that some features on my blog must hibernate, if only for a season. I’ve had several months, close to a year now, of roller coaster fatigue, malaise, and brain fog.

As much as I enjoy Wreading Wednesday, First Line Friday, and What’s Cookin’ in Your Kitchen—and for as “little” time as those take to compose, together and week after week, it adds up. And eats up my precious time. Time I should be spending writing!

“God whispers to our hearts and our hearts whisper back in stories.” – Karen Ball

 

New Week New Face guest posts, Tuesday-Reviews-Day, and Chat Thursday interviews will remain, as will Front Porch Fellowship Sunday Devotions. Beyond that, I will be writing.

I am also forcing myself to curb my participation in blog promotion tours—‘cause I have this tendency to say yes to way too many! Oh, I’ll still do tours, just not jump at every.single.one! #moderationiskey

 

If you will, keep me in your prayers, that this lingering weariness eases, or abates altogether. Whether by medical attention, or by Divine whisper. Doesn’t really matter. I just need to not be so tired all the time.

 

 “Maybe you have to know the darkness to truly appreciate the light.”—Madeleine L’Engle

“There is freedom waiting for you on the breezes of the sky. And you ask, What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” —Erin Hanson

 

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, Focus, Reading, Writing, and Blogging

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BLOGWORDS – Monday 3 June 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMJUNWRIMO 2019

SPECIAL EDITION – REMJUNWRIMO 2019

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

April was rough. May was rougher!

But I am determined to finish this book. I will finish this book, this series. It’s what I do, write. And I’m bringing you along for the journey. I created my own WriMo challenges as just that, the challenge to get it done, to make daily progress. And as an accountability tool.

 

There are days, of course, when writing doesn’t happen. Life happens, stuff interferes. And living with chronic illness every day is a toss-up how I’ll feel… But I’ve completed seven stories, and I’ll finish this one. And the one after that, and the one after… I have to. The voices—characters—won’t be still until I do!

 

 

            “You got glatheth!” Mere’s words were still tangled over the new hardware in her mouth.

            “Well you got braces.” Bethy retorted and tapped the unfamiliar frames up the bridge of her nose.

            “It’th not like I wanted them.” The offence of it—and the discomfort—was still fresh in Mere’s mind, and in her mouth.

            “At least I can take my glasses off.” Bethy squinted as she proved her point. “Can’t do that with braces!” And she stuck her tongue out at her sister.

            “It’th not my fault!”

            “Girls!” Beverly Elliot scolded. “Maybe me and your dad can tell you apart for a change,” she snarked over her shoulder as her tennis shoes squealed on the polished tile floor.

            “What are we going to do?” Mere whithpered when they had climbed in the far back of the mini-van. “And don’t thay thuck it up buttercup.” She huffed. Then moaned. “I’m going to flunk my hithtory tetht tomorrow.”

            “Well I have a math test on Friday!” Bethy hissed. “And you were supposed to take it for me.”

            Mere snugged her arms across her chest and glared out the window.

            “I’ll help you study,” Bethy whispered. “But you have to show me this stupid math, too.”

            “Hmpth.” Mere’s whisper dribbled down her chin.

 

My new series, FourSquare, is a change-up for me—RomCom. Maybe. They all have some pretty heavy issues they’re dealing with, or causes that are personal for some reason.

The first story, One for the Price of Two, has been tumbling around in my mind for several years, and I can’t wait to move the story forward, and get to know Elizabeth and Meredith—and share their story with you.

 

 

BLURB

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.

Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.

They lived and breathed on pranking their family and friends. All in good fun, of course.

Until love waltzed in and turned their game on end. And Bethy and Mere—masters of the prank—get pranked.

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, #RemJunWriMo, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare, Double Double Who’s in Trouble, The Lady and the Tomboy, Author and a Gentleman

 

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BLOGWORDS – Saturday 1 June 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMJUNWRIMO 2019

SPECIAL EDITION – REMJUNWRIMO 2019

 

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

April was rough. May was rougher!

But I am determined to finish this book. I will finish this book, this series. It’s what I do, write. And I’m bringing you along for the journey. I created my own WriMo challenges as just that, the challenge to get it done, to make daily progress. And as an accountability tool.

 

There are days, of course, when writing doesn’t happen. Life happens, stuff interferes. And being sick each day is a toss-up how I’ll feel… But I’ve completed seven stories, and I’ll finish this one. And the one after that, and the one after… I have to. The voices—characters—won’t be still until I do!

 

 

      “You got glatheth!” Mere’s words were still tangled over the new hardware in her mouth.

      “Well you got braces.” Bethy retorted and tapped the unfamiliar frames up the bridge of her nose.

      “It’th not like I wanted them.” The offence of it—and the discomfort—was still fresh in Mere’s mind, and in her mouth.

      “At least I can take my glasses off.” Bethy squinted as she proved her point. “Can’t do that with braces!” And she stuck her tongue out at her sister.

      “It’th not my fault!”

      “Girls!” Beverly Elliot scolded. “Maybe me and your dad can tell you apart for a change,” she snarked over her shoulder as her tennis shoes squealed on the polished tile floor.

      “What are we going to do?” Mere whithpered when they had climbed in the far back of the mini-van. “And don’t thay thuck it up buttercup.” She huffed. Then moaned. “I’m    going to flunk my hithtory tetht tomorrow.”

      “Well I have a math test on Friday!” Bethy hissed. “And you were supposed to take it for me.”

      Mere snugged her arms across her chest and glared out the window.

      “I’ll help you study,” Bethy whispered. “But you have to show me this stupid math, too.”

      “Hmpth.” Mere’s whisper dribbled down her chin.

 

My new series, FourSquare, is a change-up for me—RomCom. Maybe. They all have some pretty heavy issues they’re dealing with, or causes that are personal for some reason.

The first story, One for the Price of Two, has been tumbling around in my mind for several years, and I can’t wait to move the story forward, and get to know Elizabeth and Meredith—and share their story with you.

 

BLURB

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.

Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.

They lived and breathed on pranking their family and friends. All in good fun, of course.

Until love waltzed in and turned their game on end. And Bethy and Mere—masters of the prank—get pranked.

 

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, #RemJunWriMo, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare, Double Double Who’s in Trouble, The Lady and the Tomboy, Author and a Gentleman

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BLOGWORDS – Thursday 23 May 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

 

I have designated May as my personal writing challenge to get this new series off and running. After months of malaise and brain fog, I’m ready to tackle this and share my newest set of stories with you!

 

HOLY OY, ya’ll!! There must be something in this story that the darkness doesn’t want me to write!! I keep getting hit and delayed. But guess what? I’m not a quitter. This story—all four in the series—is in me and I will get it done!

 

 

“What.Did.You.Do?” Mere jabbed her own finger in Bethy’s chest.

“Nothing you didn’t do first.” Bethy smiled sweetly and shrugged… summarily dismissing her sister.

My new series, FourSquare, is a change-up for me—RomCom. The first story, One for the Price of Two, has been tumbling around in my mind for several years, and I can’t wait to move the story forward, and get to know Elizabeth and Meredith—and share their story with you.

 

 

BLURB

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.

Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.

They lived and breathed on pranking their family and friends. All in good fun, of course.

Until love waltzed in and turned their game on end. And Bethy and Mere—masters of the prank—get pranked.

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, #RemMayWriMo, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare

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BLOGWORDS – Monday 20 May 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

 

I have designated May as my personal writing challenge to get this new series off and running. After months of malaise and brain fog, I’m ready to tackle this and share my newest set of stories with you!

 

Alas, after the spate of writing last week I have been felled by a sneak attack virus. Lethargy, sleepy, overall crummy feeling. Nothing new except it’s never hung on this long. Here’s to better days and words flowing!

 

Thankfully I am feeling 1000 times better this morning! YAY!! Doctor’s appointment this afternoon, then hopefully back to the story!

Although I’ve met Jeremy already, it was brief and barely in passing. Last week, though, his story begins to come out.

 

 

“What.Did.You.Do?” Mere jabbed her own finger in Bethy’s chest.

“Nothing you didn’t do first.” Bethy smiled sweetly and shrugged… summarily dismissing her sister.

 

My new series, FourSquare, is a change-up for me—RomCom. The first story, One for the Price of Two, has been tumbling around in my mind for several years, and I can’t wait to move the story forward, and get to know Elizabeth and Meredith—and share their story with you.

 

 

BLURB

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.

Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.

They lived and breathed on pranking their family and friends. All in good fun, of course.

Until love waltzed in and turned their game on end. And Bethy and Mere—masters of the prank—get pranked.

 

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, #RemMayWriMo, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare

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BLOGWORDS – Friday 17 May 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

 

I have designated May as my personal writing challenge to get this new series off and running. After months of malaise and brain fog, I’m ready to tackle this and share my newest set of stories with you!

 

“What.Did.You.Do?” Mere jabbed her own finger in Bethy’s chest.

“Nothing you didn’t do first.” Bethy smiled sweetly and shrugged… summarily dismissing her sister.

 

My new series, FourSquare, is a change-up for me—RomCom. The first story, One for the Price of Two, has been tumbling around in my mind for several years, and I can’t wait to move the story forward, and get to know Elizabeth and Meredith—and share their story with you.

 

BLURB

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.

Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.

They lived and breathed on pranking their family and friends. All in good fun, of course.

Until love waltzed in and turned their game on end. And Bethy and Mere—masters of the prank—get pranked.

 

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, #RemMayWriMo, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare

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BLOGWORDS – Thursday 16 May 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

I have designated May as my personal writing challenge to get this new series off and running. After months of malaise and brain fog, I’m ready to tackle this and share my newest set of stories with you!

 

“What.Did.You.Do?” Mere jabbed her own finger in Bethy’s chest.

“Nothing you didn’t do first.” Bethy smiled sweetly and shrugged… summarily dismissing her sister.

 

My new series, FourSquare, is a change-up for me—RomCom. The first story, One for the Price of Two, has been tumbling around in my mind for several years, and I can’t wait to move the story forward, and get to know Elizabeth and Meredith—and share their story with you.

 

 

BLURB

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.

Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.

They lived and breathed on pranking their family and friends. All in good fun, of course.

Until love waltzed in and turned their game on end. And Bethy and Mere—masters of the prank—get pranked.

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, #RemMayWriMo, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare

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BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 15 May 2019 – SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

SPECIAL EDITION – REMMAYWRIMO 2019

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

I have designated May as my personal writing challenge to get this new series off and running. After months of malaise and brain fog, I’m ready to tackle this and share my newest set of stories with you!

HERE BEGINNETH THE CHALLENGE.

FINALLY!!!

 The Robin is BACK!!!

 

“What.Did.You.Do?” Mere jabbed her own finger in Bethy’s chest.

“Nothing you didn’t do first.” Bethy smiled sweetly and shrugged… summarily dismissing her sister.

 

My new series, FourSquare, is a change-up for me—RomCom. The first story, One for the Price of Two, has been tumbling around in my mind for several years, and I can’t wait to move the story forward, and get to know Elizabeth and Meredith—and share their story with you.

 

BLURB

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Meredith Elliott are so identical their own parents can’t even tell them apart. Two halves of a whole.

Elizabeth, the more cautious of the two, reining in her sister’s impetuous side. Meredith, the more daring, urging Elizabeth to step beyond her comfort zone.

They lived and breathed on pranking their family and friends. All in good fun, of course.

Until love waltzed in and turned their game on end. And Bethy and Mere—masters of the prank—get pranked.

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, #RemMayWriMo, One for the Price of Two, FourSquare

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