Saying "Thank You."

When I started this blog, it was all about my books and I kept my personal life pretty separate. However, I quickly found that my personal life influenced my books, my writing, and oftentimes, my lack thereof.

I get inquiries of a more forceful persuasion from some people who want to know why I'm not writing more and pumping out books. My answer is "Life." Life has this way of just getting in the way and ripping away the muses that fuel the writing that I want to do. I'm not living my best life, I'm surviving, at best. However, I'm still here and I'm working hard. Please be patient with me.

I wanted to thank you for standing by and reading my blogposts. I write these to get the thoughts and feelings out of my head, but I'm hoping they help others feel that they aren't alone in this world. 

My goal in this lifetime is to touch people and to make a difference in their lives. I'm not sure if I'm doing it or if I'm just floating along, but if you're still here and reading my posts, then maybe I'm touching you in some way.

So, on the American day for giving thanks and showing our gratefulness, I want to say "Thank you" for sticking with me on this journey of growth and self-discovery. You support me and lift me up during my darkest hours. I cannot thank you enough for reading these rantings and ramblings.

Bright blessings to you and yours! 

Giving Thanks...

As we approach the week of Thanksgiving, I've been doing a lot of thinking about how things have changed since last year at this same time. And I've been giving thanks for all the changes, the good and the bad.

Last year, I was working and thinking I'd be stuck in this job forever since I didn't see a way to go back to school. Yet, here I am. I'm back in college and not doing half bad. I've made some decisions that have helped and I'm moving forward with so much hope.

People have come and gone in this last year. It hasn't been easy to let them go. However, I've had no choice, but to let them go. Maybe some day I'll understand, but for today, I'm thankful that they walked with me while they could. I've learned and grown from having them with me.

I had been panicking about getting my books back from the publisher and I did. I'm grateful for all that I learned with the publisher I had, but I'm also thankful that I can move forward on my own terms. 

I've made personal choices and decisions, made efforts that hurt, but stretched me into growing, and it's an ever evolving thing. I've experienced hurt and happiness, joy and deep sorrow, yet, I'm thankful for everything I've gone through and those who have stuck by me through it all! 

So, this week, while I'm counting my blessings and enjoying the break from school, please know that each and every one of you are among the blessings I am thankful for. 

Life is organic and fluid. Changes are occurring all the time, however, big or small. And they're not always easy changes, but they are necessary. But choosing to be thankful...well, it helps, trust me, it helps.

Thank You...

It's that time of year again (where on earth has 2016 gone?) and everyone is posting things they are thankful for. Me? I'm happy to be here!

I'm thankful for my family and friends, for this life I have, and for the ability to do the things I love. Working in the field I do, I appreciate the little things like taking a shower by myself, going to the store (as much as I despise shopping), and even cooking meals. Sometimes it really is just the little things that we don't think about.

As much as people complain about how people have to work on the holidays, there are some of us who don't have a choice. Yes, I am one of those. Stop for a moment though. Who would take care of us in an emergency situation if the doctors, nurses, and EMTs all were home with their families? Who would be there when we have to stop for gas as we travel to see our families? What about those family members who are in nursing homes? Or what about those people who have no family to spend the holidays with? They still need care. They need showers, meals, etc. Not everyone is equipped to deal with an aging or disabled family member.

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the members of our military who guard us day and night, keeping a vigilant watch over our borders and our families. While I know we are extremely thankful for their service, if they didn't work 365 days  a year, where would we be? And what about their families who are struggling through without them? It's not an easy job being a military spouse or kid! You learn to cherish the time you get, holidays or no.

So, for the people who are working the holiday, I thank you! Yes, even the retail clerks! Do you know why? Because I am me and I will have inadvertently forgotten something. I will have to rush out and pick it up at the last minute. If the store were closed, well, I'd be SOL. And having worked retail, trust me, I've been thanked plenty. From the mother who forgot to pick up formula for her baby to the old man who simply had no place to go for the holidays and decided to do his shopping, I felt lucky to be part of their day.

And while we are on the topic of retail people, can I give you a word of sound advice? If you are out shopping this holiday season, please remember that your cashier is merely doing his/her job! They did not set the prices. They do not know every single item that is on sale in their store, let alone someone else's. They are not responsible if you are shopping out of state and your bank has a spending limit and your card is declined. (Yes, I was told I was incompetent at my job over this issue.) They are not responsible for expired coupons. They are on their feet with minimal breaks dealing with customers who are...let's just say, less than pleasant, and they are barely making minimum wage. They are not there because they wanted a "fun job." They are there because they have to be. They are there working to put a roof over their children's heads, food on their families' tables, and pay their bills. You may be stressed out by all the frantic hassle and mobs of people, but these people are doing it 8 hours a day and not necessarily by choice!

I want to send out a big "Thank You" to all of you who are working this holiday! It's not easy and you'd rather be home with your families, but I appreciate you! I'm thankful you sacrifice time away from your family to be on call for mine. And, in case, I haven't said it enough, I'm blessed to have all of you in my life. Thank you for being here, for reading my blogs, and for supporting me on this mixed up, messed up journey I call my life!

Happy Thanksgiving

 Breakfast is done. The parade didn't impress me. The Detroit Lions' game is on the television. It is Thanksgiving at the Murray household.

We shared dinner with friends yesterday which was exceptionally nice. Today, it's just the hubby and me with the canine kids. There will be roasted duck (we don't do turkey), whipped taters, Stove-Top stuffing (don't ask), cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, deviled eggs, and homemade pumpkin pie (from my roasted pumpkins) with Cool Whip. Yes, I do all of this just for the 7 of us! LOL It seems like a bit much, I know, but it's tradition.

I also get to spend the day cleaning. As a college student who is at school A LOT, I have to take the time to clean when I can. It looks like the carpets are getting cleaned today. I have to get it done before the holiday tree comes in. Nevermind, that I have to find room for said tree. The joys of living in a small house :)

I've scoured the Black Friday ads to see if there is ANY reason to head out tomorrow and other than the pet store in town, I think I'm staying in. Are you one who braves the crowds? I simply can't stand the crowds of rude people. We don't have a lot of small shops here in town so I'll stick to shopping online. Lucky for me, I only have the canine kids to shop for. I may pick up a few odds and ends for the hubby, but my shopping is basically done.

I've also thought back over the last year and counted my blessings. I thought I'd share them with you.

1. Husband who loves me even when I am cranky, opinionated, and sleepy (or in a writer's coma)

2. My canine kids who make me laugh each and every day

3. I live in a country where I am able to go to school to continue my education

4. I have friends who are more like family and who have my back when the chips are down

5. My readers and fans. Without you all, I wouldn't be able to do the things I love

6. My imaginary friends. They live in my head and talk to me constantly, giving me more story ideas than I could write down in a year.

7. My dad. His death has taught me just as much as his life did. I am strong because he taught me to be and he would expect nothing less from me. I will survive and thrive through the storm. I have no regrets when it comes to him.

8. My life. It may not always be what I want it to be, but it is mine. I can take this life and follow my own path, learning from my mistakes as I go.

9. My freedom. Freedom is not free, somebody pays the price for it and I am truly grateful to those men and women (and their families) who sacrifice their lives, minds, and bodies for my freedom.

10. Technology. It seems so trivial in the grand scheme of things, but without technology, I wouldn't be able to bring my stories to you. I wouldn't be able to write at the pace I write at. I wouldn't be able to connect with all of you. Technology truly is something for which I am thankful.

Well, I've procrastinated as long as I can. The cleaning awaits and no one else is getting started on it so I guess it's all mine.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS!