UPDATE: The winner is…Jolene E. Durante!
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Okay, so my SIL gives me tons of good examples of how a dad should act. This photo makes me laugh but is another example of him teaching his kids.

The 17-year-old boy can’t get it through his brain that he should always lock his car no matter how much of a hurry he is in. So, his parents have decided to go on a campaign to help him remember.

He parked his car in the parking lot outside his fast-food workplace. Dad found the car, noticed that not a single door was locked, so he crept inside and began taking pictures—of the change in his console in open view, of his bookbag on the back seat, and this one of him sitting behind the wheel. Now, the SIL is a handsome man, but he doesn’t mind looking goofy. This photo only went out to family members, but the next time they find his car unlocked, it’s going on Snapchat!

That’s my example. What’s yours? Comment below for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

I’m being lazy today. The 8-year-old is insisting we hit the pool two times today because the water temperature is dropping and we have to get enough swims in to last through the winter! I like her logic. What about you? What big plans do you have today?

Open Contests

1. Grace Adams: Nearly-Published Author of FIRE’S RISING! (Contest + Excerpt) — Last day to enter! Win this author’s upcoming debut novel!
2. Your weekend book boyfriend… (Contest + Excerpt) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Places I want to see… (Puzzle-Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Ava Cuvay: Flabby Middles (Giveaway) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Ugh! What I’m getting ready for… (Contest) — Win a FREE download!
6. Get your FREE read! — This offer won’t last long! EVERYONE gets a copy!
7. Tell me a story… (Puzzle-Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Elaine Ramirez!
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This is probably TMI, right?

I thought about creating a puzzle for you to work before you knew what I’d be doing (or was having done to me) tomorrow. However, I’m sure the website I use to create my puzzles would nix it due to the bare butt.

Yes, today, I’m going through the prep stage. I have a ton of meds and Gatorade to guzzle. No food until after the procedure tomorrow morning. This will be my third colonoscopy. And no, it doesn’t get any better the more times you have it done. It’s gross, embarrassing, and not very comfortable. I don’t like that they put me under for it. Do they think I’m a wimp? I’d rather be watching the monitor to see what’s happening. I’m tempted to pull out my DVD of Ghost Town with Ricky Gervais, but my dd might think it’s inappropriate because he dies (temporarily) during the procedure. She’s no fun.

So, why am I oversharing? I don’t know. As a Public Service Announcement to remind you to schedule yours? Maybe to you share my discomfort? Give you a laugh? For a chance to win a FREE download from my backlist, have you had one yet? Comment below.

This is just a quick message to those of you in the path of Hurricane Ida. Arkansas is missing the bullet entirely, but I hope everyone who isn’t so fortunate has a safe place to weather the storm. Good luck to you!

UPDATE: The winner is…Angel Shaw!
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Da-dah, da-da-da-da… Is the song in your head now? You can thank me.

We’re excited here. Three of the kids are back in school today. We’ll see how long that lasts! Thankfully, our school enacted a mask mandate. For now, the house is quiet, and I’m hoping I’ll have more “me” time to do all the things I need to do…like write a dang book by the end of the month, edit four projects, and make some art.

I’m one of the “artists” (cough, gag) who will be showing in town in October at the art festival. Still don’t know how they selected me. I mean, we have some seriously good artists in this area. I hope to fill up my 10×10 space inside my tent with pieces people might like to hang in their house (I’d be thrilled to appear in someone’s bathroom!).

I have some older pieces I can use, but I’m trying to produce more. It’s been very slow-going. Like, only two new pieces so far. Want to take a look?

I made this one last night. I love it. Yeah, it’s all beige-y, but it works for me. It’s a water-doodle (watercolor and pen).

This one was done with soft pastel sticks.I had so much fun with it. Working with pastels makes me feel like a kid in kindergarten making a big mess.

Anyway, this is what I’ll be doing in the evenings after I finish work for the next two months.

Do y’all have any big projects in the works? Answer for a chance to win a hand-painted postcard from me. 🙂

UPDATE: The winner is…pat!
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It’s been a busy week, and I didn’t have time to review ALL the songs you ladies previously mentioned on my first request for playlist recommendations! So, here’s one more chance to win another $5 Amazon gift card! All the Queen songs were spot on, BTW. I’m thinking AC/DC, too. (“The Jack” is my fave!).

This one’s quirky and fun and perfect for the start of a workout (which for me is all about housecleaning—don’t you dance with the vacuum cleaner?). Thanks to Christine for reminding me this song exists!

For us, today’s all about kids’ open houses. We have four children in the house, so mama will be heading into town three times to take kids to meet teachers and pick up schedules and school T-shirts. We had good news yesterday that our kids won’t be the only ones wearing masks! I know some locals are upset about that (I’ll never understand why, but I won’t get into the politics). All I care about is that three of the kids will be able to resume in-person instruction, somewhat safely, or at least, more safely. The three oldest are already vaxxed. We’re praying the youngest will get hers this fall, so we don’t have to be quite so fearful for her safety.

It’s weird to me the things people get upset about. I don’t get it. Maybe it’s because I’m an Air Force brat and an Army vet. I’m pragmatic. I understand duty. I remember getting a mystery shot while I was stationed in the Middle East during the Gulf War. Turns out it was for anthrax. Did I balk? No, I rolled up my sleeve.

But I said I wouldn’t get political, and I think maybe I already have, but I hope you know it comes from a good place. I love my family. I want them to live long, healthy, happy lives. And I’m beyond excited for the kids being able to return to school. Yes, we managed to thrive through at-home schooling for the first year-and-a-half of the pandemic, but it was draining, too. My dd and I are ready to get back to having some “us” time to catch up on so many things we haven’t had time to pay attention to because we’ve had kids underfoot who required supervision and entertainment 24/7. As much as we love them, we’re hoping the mask mandate will enable our schools to stay open rather than having multiple, roving lockdowns for COVID spread.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please, no rants. I’m just really curious how other folks are preparing for the new school year! Are you upbeat? We’ve had fun shopping for school supplies and clothing!

Open Contests

1. Desiree Holt: Protecting Susan and The Protectors series! (Contest) — This ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Pool or Beach? (Puzzle-Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Help me build my “Workout Playlist” (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Michal Scott: One Good Wreath Deserves Another (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!