sandraleecleary

Another birthday party to plan for. Only this time I don’t have to buy party favors. It’s a four day week end. Most people are franticly trying to get everything caught up at home so they can take off and go to the beach, or perhaps the mountains (that is if you can find mountains in Texas).

I’ll be gallivanting off to Oklahoma to see grandchildren and great grandchildren. You’d think I’d see them more often as Oklahoma and Texas are so close to each other. Well that is if you live in north Texas I would. When you live in south central Texas it takes you six hours or more to just get to the state line. And I will be traveling to north Oklahoma. Oh my!

It will be a road trip for two daughters and myself, oh, and of course, three of my grandchildren. It should be fun. Lots of talking, singing, children grumbling. Oh yes and the potty stops. Can’t leave those out. When you stop for a potty stop you have to get something to drink and a snack to go along with it.

Hopefully I will be able to stop at a cousins house and chat for a brief time. I have to include this special cousin. I found her through DNA. I wish I could spend a lot more time with her but I cherish the time we do have.

So hopefully I’ll have more to talk about when I return. Until then, have a safe and enjoyable weekend and Happy Birthday America……………………………….

I’m feeling nostalgic today. I was on Pintrest and looking at western art. My number one love of animals is horses. The smell of leather. The feel of pure strength when you ride on their backs. Running like the wind with your hair blowing every which way. Oh yes, I remember those days. Just wish I was able to do it again. Guess I’ll have to relive those days through my granddaughter who also loves horses.

There is nothing like a good western movie to watch on television, or the big screen. The Duke, Tom Selleck, even Clint Eastwood. I prefer the Duke over all of them. I remember my mother saying one time, “He could park his boots under my bed anytime!” Wow, my mother said this!

How about the western books relating stories about the old homestead? Or the movies where the family is trying to protect their land from marauding Indians or the bad guys wanting to run them out so they can grab their land.

Seriously I’m behind in my writing, revising, cleaning house, and I could go on and on, but I won’t. I had breakfast with my daughter yesterday and we were busy checking our calendars to see when we can take our next trip. And of course where do we want to go that’s on our bucket list. No it’s not out west and it doesn’t involve horses.

ANYWAY, I told her I think I need to be a travel writer. I go enough and see many wonderful places, so maybe I need to write about my trips. It does sound inviting. Then I wouldn’t feel so bad about not getting my novel up to par for printing. Yikes, no, I’ve come this far I’ve got to go all the way! But I could still blog about my travels. Yep, that’s it! Blog about the travels.

So, until then folks……………………….

And soon it will be gone again, gone again, jiggity jog! It’s summer and time to see the world. Well maybe not the world, but a bit of America. Putting together my bucket list so to speak. This last week I saw a part of this great land I thought I’d never see. Cape Cod, Boston, Newport, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Providence, and went whale watching. And my head is swimming with history. We had a wonderful guide and bus driver. They have ruined me for anyone else!

And our leader gathering her children Melanie. What a doll and so informative.

Seriously, hubby and I had a great time. I know where we got the word wampum from. I know that the Wampanoag Indians made the wampum from the quahoaug shell. It’s a clam and it tasted good!

We had a Pilgrim lunch at Plymouth Plantation consisting of turkey, squash, cheese, bread, butter, prunes, grapes, and corn pudding. I won’t be making corn pudding anytime soon!

I was amazed at the summer cottages at Newport, Rhode Island. In my book they were mansions. When you start to talk about the gold room, the purple room, etc., that means mansion to me. The grounds were beautiful with trees and flowers and of course overlooking the sound. We had dinner one night in Little Italy, Angelo’s Restaurant. Angelo’s was 90 years old, all home made food and excellent. Even Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives found it to their liking. Guy left his signature on their wall for all to see.

Our tour was fast paced but we still had free time to shop. And as my husband can attest, I shopped! Well, I had to bring back all those little goodies I couldn’t find here didn’t I? I thought I was going to have to buy another suitcase at one point. But, like a true shopper I was able to stuff everything in to what I had. Yea for me.

So now I’m home and it’s time to get to work and get caught up. Caught up so I can go again on my next adventure. Will keep you posted.

Until then.

I keep asking God when is it my turn. My turn to get the book published. My turn to find out who my biological father is. My turn, my turn, my turn. He keeps whispering in my ear, patience my child. Patience. A lesson I’m learning, very slowly.

The house is about back in shape and it’s time to get with the genealogy and writing again. I just hate taking these breaks for house cleaning and running errands, and etc. I need to have my “bic” (butt in chair) everyday working on the computer.

My favorite thing to do is research. That sounds crazy but I like looking up things, places, people, and all that stuff. Last night I watched Mysteries At The Museum and they did an article on the locust in 1875. Really interesting. I know my ancestors were in Kansas at that time and never understood how devastating the plague was to their crops and their lives. It puts a new light on their lives.

Anyway, got to get with it so will be keeping you posted on the book that was finished but I found some boo boo’s that have to be fixed. So another delay folks.

Until then……………………………..

This has been the wettest May that I can remember since moving to Texas. Wow, but thank you, Lord. We needed it. And my yard is looking good!

Our fence on one side of the house has been replaced and that is looking good also. Now making plans to do the other side. Major work being done on this homestead.

Last but not least the floors. I’m impressed with the workmanship of the guys that installed our wood floors. They showed up at 8:30 a.m. on the dot, went to work, only took a half hour for lunch, and by 8:30 p.m. they had three rooms completely done. And they look great. It’s kind of funny to watch my three small dogs run across it and loose traction and slide around the corner. The smallest one likes to chase the other two.

Now that all of that is finished, time for a vacation. Well just a small one to New England. Got to get the suitcase packed, lightly of course. Have to leave room to bring back all the souvenirs.

So until then……………………………………pictures to follow of course…………………

As you can see I haven’t been very faithful in posting any blogs lately. I’m been in a slump. My house is a mess, and I don’t work well with messeyness! I’m sure that’s not a word but it fits perfectly here.

Tomorrow they are supposed to FINALLY put my hardwood floors down in three rooms. Everything has been basically moved out of those rooms and moved into my craft room along with the extra bedroom and my bedroom. Yes, I’ve run into the extra dresser during the night when I had to get up to go to the bathroom! I can’t find ANYTHING!

Now mind you I try to keep things tidy…well a little bit anyway. If hubby needs a certain paper I can usually put my fingers on it quickly. Well, not now. I’m still looking for things.

My book on Katie has been finished since the first of the year. I’ve started my second one. I’m antsy about both. Not sure about the second one, how it starts, etc. Got reservations on the first one also. Yikes, I need to get over it and get with it!

We’re going on a short vacation the end of the month and I need to get things put together for that…I’m looking forward to going. Hubby needs a break.

So you see I’m in a bit of a tizzy. So much to do, so little time. A little ho hum and a lot of now what! Got to get with it!

Until then…………………………….

Tomorrow I will be getting new wood floors in three rooms. Now you know why I do not have any new posts this week. Oh wait, did I have posts last week?

Well last week was my annual week to myself in the Texas Hill Country to write. And, write I did. Now to  take care of the re-writes. I did do the obits for those that do genealogy and check obits of their relatives.

Anyway, this week has been devoted to packing dishes, moving furniture, and the little things that require getting everything out of the rooms so the men can come in and rip out the old carpet and lay the flooring. Yea!

Hopefully I will be back on track next week, have something interesting to post ( I hope ).

Always so much to do and so little time. I think I’m speaking to the choir here. We all lead busy lives. What happened to the good old days when you had time to sit on the front porch and talk to your neighbors? Maybe just gazing at the pond as the water ripples? Even sitting on the patio watching the hummingbirds flittering about?

Oh well, another day. I must get back to my genealogy roadblocks. Until then……………

I haven’t worked on genealogy for almost a month. So today I have added some surnames to my list of names. I haven’t gone into detail but if you see a name you think may belong to your genealogy, give me a shout, and I can tell you where it fits in with my line.

I will be working on the names in the future. As you know most families had a dozen kids and then when they married you get two dozen names to contend with. AND from there it just branches out and branches out. Thus you have a genealogy tree! With lots of branches and plenty of nuts! I know I have my share.

I’m still working on my DNA matches and at this point I’m sure the two names that keep showing up are the link to my paternal side of myself. I just have to figure out who went to visit my mother in Minnesota. She forgot to leave me clues!

And I’ve started the second book. Hopefully it will end up being a memoir. Still waiting on a publisher for Katie. So there you have it. My schedule and I need to get with it.

Until then……………………………..

I’ve been so busy I can’t remember if I’ve told anyone, well most everyone, that I’ve finally finished writing my first novel. It’s called Katie. It’s a story about an Indian girl, aged 7, who survived the Black Hawk War in 1832. Yes, this is based on a true story.

The story takes place along the Mississippi River by the banks of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. It tells of her escape from the massacre, finding a friend, and growing up to marry her love. No I’m not going to give it all away……ya gotta buy the book. Am I being bossy???

I’m excited. Now for the process of finding a publisher, or maybe self publish. That is the question! But, I will keep you posted on my decision, or a publisher’s decision.

Until then……………………

Yep, that’s where I’ve been. As you can tell I’ve been away from my computer for almost three weeks. Oh, I took work with me, but, well, I really was busy. Really I was.

Grandson and myself getting feet wet in the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica Beach. The water was really cold, too!

My grandson had to be in Los Angeles for the talent showcase. He was meeting with agents, managers, and directors. I learned a lot myself, but he was able to show off his acting ability. I think he learned quite a bit himself.

I’m rooting for him!

Besides being his support I was able to visit with one of my grandsons and his children who I don’t get to see very often. That was a blessing. On the home front, well, hubby kept busy at work and then at home with our dogs. Guess they missed me, just a little bit. Now it’s back to work and try to catch up. I have three weeks worth of obits to post so must get with it.

Until then…………………..