Wednesday morning, July 26, 2006

Greetings everyone!

My, the weather has been gorgeous! I have been picking blueberries off of my blueberry bush for the past week (so have some of the birds-bluejays, mostly.) and eating them with my cereal. Hubby and I had are first corn last Thursday. Yum, Yum. Now it is coming on really fast so I will pick some this morning and give to neighbors, co-workers, and do some up to freeze for in soup this coming winter. Oh, winter. It can just hold off for a long, long time.

The other day, Sunday, we were sitting on the back deck and hubby spotted a blue-colored bird. Wow! It turned out to be an Indigo Bunting! How cool! My next-door neighbors told me they had seen one at their feeder the past week. Then it showed up at ours. Neat! They are gorgeous!

I received the other proof book back and have diligently gone through it, again. Now I started again last night, going over it, again. It does take time, folks. After it is (hopefully) all proofed, I send it back with a complete list of changes and then it should be ready to go. A long process.

I have been receiving e-mails from people who have read my book. Their e-mails are so uplifting and encouraging. Some are full of emotions they are suffering, and my heart goes out to them. I only hope and pray that they stay away from their abusive partner, get help to move forward in their lives, and know that they are worth a better life than the one they went through. It is a hard road, and takes time.

Hubby and I are still fixing up the apartment that was so damaged by the last renter's boyfriend. (Which we knew nothing about, that he was staying there with her.) The holes in the walls are horrific. Plus, I also found shoe prints on the door to the back bedroom where it had been kicked by (?) him, and the hole in the wall behind the door, well, I could stick my head in it! The girl that left, I am very concerned about. I spoke with her mother and told her to tell her daughter, "If she thinks it will get better, she is mistaken. It will only get worse." I really am concerned for the little girl, too (1 1/2 years old) that the girl took with her. What will this jerk do to that little girl if she crys too much? We know from the news and the horror stories what could happen. Pray for that girl and her little daughter's safety. Maybe she will wise up and get the &*(^^^#% out of there before it is to late!!!!

I did get a hold of a Family Service representative in PA., but the women told me that they cannot do anything until something is reported! What?! How dumb is that? I told them I had pictures of all eight holes in the walls, broken screens, and the other damage if needed. I wanted a report made on this jerk, just for the records. I gave the girl's mother some phone numbers for shelters and the local police department phone number. Hopefully, when she talks to her, she will pass this information on.

I am going to have my computer guy put some "Testimonies" of people who have e-mailed me about the book. Plus, when you visit, please sign in on my "Guest Book!" It is something new I thought of, and my computer guy put it on the website last week.

Well, I better get back to the proof book. I want to send it back tomorrow.

Until next time, stay safe, enjoy the sunshine, and thanks for your e-mails!
Be blessed,
Becky :)

Friday morning, July 14, 2006

Good morning folks,

Good to hear from all of you!

I received a very moving e-mail from a young girl. She left her abusive husband, and is trying desperately to work through all the pain, suffering, and anquish of ending a relationship of more than five years. My heart goes out to her. She is on the road to healing but it will definitely take some time as anyone knows who has gone through the trauma of violence and abuse against them. Keep her in your prayers. She is young, and has a much brighter and better future for herself if she can focus on feeling better about herself, and knowing she made the right decision.

There was a trial in my area for a man who kicked his wife down the steps. When she landed at the bottom, her face hit the cement floor and knocked out her front teeth. I was able to listen and observe the testimony presented at the trial. It amazed me they found him "Not Guilty." Yes, sometimes the judicial system does not work in our favor, but believe me, that condescending, arrogant "B.....d" will have to answer for his actions to a much higher power than the court system. At least the survivor is trying to move on, and with time, she can make a better life for her and her children. Keep this gal in your prayers too, please. She has a long road ahead of her to feeling better about herself and get beyond it.

I am no longer working at D.G.M. as a cashier. Long story-short ending. Do not make mistakes. No more on the subject for now.

Hubby and I were going to go fishing today and tomorrow, but he has a major project to turn in for his school class on Monday. Bummer. Maybe another time.

I have been catching up on weeding my flower beds, cleaning out the pond, and general house stuff. Yuck-O on the inside house stuff, but it does need done. Hubby's dad and his girlfriend returned from their trip to Missouri/Nebraska. Hubby's brother and two boys came back also. They will be coming down Sunday for a visit and a cook-out.

We had a renter skip out on us. She quit her good job, and moved to PA with her goofy boyfriend. (We didn't know about the boyfriend, until she left!) What a mess the apartment is in. There are numerous holes (huge!) in some of the walls. How absolutely disgusting. All the venitian blinds are broken, and the second step up to the apartment is broken too. Her mother and her mother's friend said they would make the necessary repairs. Obviously the boyfriend has some anger issues. If that girl thinks it will get better, she is living a fantasy. It will only get worse! I just hope her little girl stays safe. I worry about the children. She has given up her son to her mother, temporary custody, but now she wants him back. Sheesh! What kind of life will those children have if they are around someone who punches holes in the walls! Will they be next? We hear about it all the time. How do you talk sense into someone who is oblivious to the facts and the warning signs?

I should be recieving the second proof book back by the first of the week. Then after I review it, make corrections, it will be ready to print. I am hoping for the end of July! Yeah! Check my website for more details!

I also went into town yesterday and talked with the local arts center. I was asked if I would possibly do an "author's session" there. It will probably be sometime in September. I could have my computer guy post it on my website when it will be. There will be a $3.00 fee/donation for the class, which will go to the arts center. I am looking forward to it immensely! I can certainly share the "DON'Ts of being an author!

I am hoping to have my first book sales/signing for the sequel at Rite-Aid in Carrollton around Saturday, August 19, 2006. This will be posted too on my website.

I signed up for an Author's Conference in Columbus August 25-26. Sounds really exciting. I am looking forward to it. Plus, there is another "Author-Book-Fest" in Bellevue, Ohio in October at the local library. I will give more details when I get them.
I want to take a trip to Georgia to visit my sister, hopefully in September. We haven't seen each other in a long time.

Keep the e-mails coming! I love hearing from all of you!

Gotta go now.
Peace, Love, and Laughter. Be good to yourself. You deserve it!
Becky :)

Friday, July 7, 2006

Hi everyone!
Just a quick blog. I have been working more at the DGM and the hours fly by!

I sent in the "proof book" file of A BETTER DAY DAWNING after corrections. I should recieve another proof book within seven days, hopefully, then go through that one, and send it in for the final publication.

The pond is doing well, although I had to remove some pond plants that were just getting to prolific. My they spread and grow fast in the summer! Little Herman is doing well, and sits on his log during the sunshine hours and basks away. The frogs are doing well, as are the fish. I still have to remove more fish, hopefully in late fall or so.

The garden is another matter. I am trying to keep up with all the weeds, tilling, etc., because of all the rain. How come the weeds grow much better than the plants? Hmmm. I lost some tomatoe plants, (Romas) for father-in-law, and have two left.
The green beans did not do well. I had to re-plant them twice, and a lot of them did not come up even the second time. Oh, well, I'm sure we will have plenty.

With the cool evenings (this morning it was 50 degrees!), the cabbage is coming along nicely. I lost two zucchini plants, and have one left. Well, one will probably be enough. There is always too much zucchini! Hubby's corn is doing better now. The first planting (Early Sunrise) is starting to tassel, and develope ears. The second corn, (Candy-corn) is just showing signs of tassels. Hubby's potatoes did not do well with the first planting. He did re-plant some a few weeks ago, but they are sparse. Probably too much rain???

The dogs and cats are doing fine, although little B-Bob, is showing signs of age. He just turned 16 years old.

My boss (V.A. office) and I, have a speaking engagement on Tuesday afternoon to speak to a group of women. It will be another great opportunity to spread the word about Domestic Violence and abuse. So much needs to be known about it. So many just have no idea or choose to ignore it all.

I received and e-mail about Tom. He is much better, walking and such, but is having some difficulty with infections in his legs, so please, keep him in your prayers. He uses a cane to get around, and it is frustrating for him at times. He did attend a wedding and walked his daughter down the isle and did the father-daughter dance! How cool!

Hubby is still attending college for his Masters'. It is a grueling schedule and a long drive. He did get an "A" on his first two-week, crash-course-class. Yeah!

E-mail me when you get a chance. I love to hear from all of you.
Peace be with you. Hug your children, and be blessed.

Becky :)