The Holidays Are On Their Way…And I’m Trying to Be Excited About That

Thanksgiving is one of my all-time favorite holidays. What’s not to like about spending time with friends and family and indulging in delicious food? Plus, there’s the added bonus of not having to worry about getting the right present for everyone on my list. 

This year, though, I’m having a hard time mustering any excitement for Thanksgiving. This is the first time my boys and I have been so far away from our extended family, and it’s definitely settling in. While I’m excited about the four of us spending time together, I’m going to miss hanging out with everyone else. It’s going to be very different without my extended family and friends around.

I noticed at Halloween that the weight of being in Nebraska was getting heavier. Halloween is another holiday where my kids and I used to spend time with extended family. For the past several years, it has been my sister and I taking my kids and her kids trick-or-treating. We’d even make it to my mother-in-law’s neighborhood, so I got to hang out with her too. If my mom was in town, she would hand out candy at my house while the rest of us walked the streets. That didn’t happen this year, and it made me incredibly sad.

The boys in their costumes.

Sure, we still went trick-or-treating, and the kids (mostly) had fun (my youngest got cold and didn’t see the point in going door to door; he just wanted me to buy candy like a normal person), but I felt the void of not hanging with my sister and niece and nephew or seeing my mother-in-law. 

Life is full of adjustments and changes, and I have to face them. I’m allowed to be sad and upset, but I can also look for the positive in each and every situation. Sure, it’s hard, but despite the changes and emotions that will likely come with Thanksgiving, there are also many things to be thankful for. Again, I have my immediate family to share it with. I’ll have a feast laid out on the table, and a roof over my head. I’ll get to talk to my extended family on the phone, even if I won’t be able to hug them. I have my health, and my boys have theirs too. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

For all of you who are celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, I hope you have a wonderfully amazing day!

Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday, right after Halloween. I love celebrating food. I mean, seriously, what can be better? Aside from spending time with friends and family and reflecting on everything that we’re thankful for.

I know it can be hard to see the bright side when things have been so bleak, and I’m fully aware that the holidays can be a stressful time. But I encourage all of you to take a moment—no matter how brief—and think of one thing that you’re happy for. Maybe it’s just getting out of bed—it doesn’t matter—some days that’s an accomplishment all in itself, and I’m proud of you for taking that step.

After you think of that one thing, try to think of another. Then, go stuff yourself full of turkey and all the other wonderful foods and have a fantastic day!

November Already?

Where did the time go? I didn’t have time to fully prepare for Halloween, and now Thanksgiving is right around the corner? Insanity!

I hope you all had a great Halloween. We did. I took the boys trick-or-treating with their cousins and one of their cousin’s friends. They go soooooo much candy. We should be good for a year.

The night after Halloween wasn’t exactly a fun time. My oldest left his candy bag on the couch, so two of the dogs got into it. The third dog didn’t because he was in his kennel while the rest of us went to basketball practice. I got to spend the rest of the evening running the dogs to the vet so they could induce vomiting.

It was a good thing they went, however. Siggy, my little 22-lb Corgi, had eaten chocolate and some gum, which could have possible had sorbitol in it. I had no idea that was poisonous until the vet said something.

I’m hoping the rest of the week goes a bit more smoothly. It’s only Wednesday and I’m already exhausted.

How did your Halloween go? Anything fun and exciting happen?

A Fantastic Thanksgiving

First of all, I can’t believe that November is almost over. That means that Christmas is next, and then the New Year. Where did all the time go?

Secondly, I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving. We did. We had a wonderful time with family and friends and ate until we were silly. What’s better than a holiday that’s centered around food? Mmmmmmm.

Now, on to business. I have the winners of the Thankful for You Blog Hop that I participated in.

The ebook winners are: 

Caryolyn

Elizabeth

Kathy

The print book winners are: 

Ashley 

Katherine

Judy

Thank you to everyone who participated! Again, it’s you wonderful readers that make it possible for me to do what I do.

Apparently, Amazon is taking 30% off print books, but the sale ends today. You can find the pertinent information here. The code can only be applied to one book, but if you need some ideas of which one to get, I will happily recommend any of mine.  Or I can tell you some of my favorites from other authors.

At the end of last week, I had the opportunity to participate in a craft fair where I attempted to sell my books. I have some copies left over, so if you’re interested in signed paperbacks for gifts (for yourself or someone special), let me know. I’m more than happy to sign them and send them (open to U.S. shipping only).

The books I have available are:

The Appeal of Evil - $13.95
Dealing with Devils - $12.95
Good Intentions - 13.95
(you can get all three of these books for $20)

The Ifs - $9.95
The Ifs Return - $9.95
(you can get this set for $15)

Life After the Undead (bestseller in the Dystopian category on Amazon) - $15.95

Undead Obsessed (nonfiction zombies) - $13.95

Finding Eden (zombie novella) - $8.50

Coming from Nowhere - $9.95

Mr. Chocolate and the Magic Js (children’s book) - $9.50

There’s a Monster in Mommy’s Tummy (children’s book) – this one comes with a free plush monster - $9.50

All prices are set by the publisher, but I’m not charging shipping. If you’re interested, please let me know (you can either email me or use the contact from on the side of this blog). I can take payments through Paypal.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like it’s going to be a long week. Working 5 whole days? What’s up with that? However, I believe it’s going to be amazing. I hope your week is amazing too.