* AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT *

I'm sure most of you are really tired of reading anything that has to do with my memoir....and I'm kind of weary of it myself! So, as the title proclaims, this won't be the same old same old.

 

 

Below is my favorite 2013 Christmas gift! 

 

I know all about those Keurig Coffee Makers being such a big hit, but I'm not about to pay that much for any kind of coffee maker. It doesn't matter to me that it can make different flavors of coffee and tea and other drinks.

 

 

BUT, sometimes I don't feel like making an entire pot of coffee, and would love to brew just one cup. My best (non-writer) friend, Sherry and I were out shopping before Christmas and I saw the box of this adorable little maker - Bella Single Serve Brewer. (We always exchange Christmas gifts. Nothing extravagant. Just something we know the other person will love!) It was less than $20.00, so I nonchalantly said something about what a great gift that would make! J And so, you know what I received from (non-writer) Sherry!

 

It will work for a coffee mug, a larger mug, and even a tall Styrofoam cup! I just love it! After the first few weeks of getting out the large coffee container every time for just a teeny scoop, I decided I needed some kind of container(s) that would hold the individual portions. I was hoping to find something inexpensive at one of the discount stores, not really knowing what I wanted. I knew, though, that when I saw it, I would know.

 

So, as I was weaving through the aisles, looking for the small-plastic-containers-similar-to-Rubbermaid-Tupperware-type thingys.....I passed this amazing little thingy in the craft aisle! It is PERFECT! It holds the small amount I need. It snaps shut. It holds enough for six large Styrofoam cups of coffee, and it cost One Dollar! Ta Da!

** Welcome to my newest follower, Neurotic Workaholic. I hope you will stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see!  Thank you so much! ** 


* I forgot to remind everyone that I'm the guest blogger at Carol Kilgore's, Under the Tiki Hut this week. My post will be the top one until next Monday, March 17 at 6:00 AM. Please stop by and leave a comment if you haven't already. And YES, I did mention my memoir again!! *

(I couldn't decide on just one coffee quote....!)

"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons." -- T.S. Eliot

"My dream is to have a house on the beach, even just a little shack somewhere so I can wake up, have coffee, look at dolphins, be quiet and breathe the air." -- Christina Applegate

"To me, the smell of fresh-made coffee is one of the greatest inventions." -- Hugh Jackman

"I put instant coffee in a microwave oven and almost went back in time." -- Steven Wright

WRITERLY NEWS ON A COLD, BLUSTERY NIGHT

Today, inside my nice, warm home it was a very busy, writerly kind of day and I accomplished many things. 

Outside, though, it was COLD and windy and I didn't stay out a second longer than I had to. I urged Vern to please hurry and do his thing, which he totally ignored. When we came back inside, even though I'd been bundled up really well, I was frozen. 

This called for two very important things. The first was to make a cup of Maxwell House International Latte, Pumpkin Spice! I normally drink plain ol' black coffee, but when I'm chilled to the bone, I want something special. (I'm not a huge fan of hot chocolate.) I bought this container sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas and I love the flavor.  

The second very important thing was a pair of gloves that I could wear and still type on my laptop keyboard! I just snipped off the fingertips of these Dollar Tree terry cloth gloves and voila...warm hands with fast-flying-fingers! 

~~~

I have so many writerly things to share and talk about, but this post is already getting a bit long. SO, I'll mention a couple of things, and continue with more in the next day or so. How does that sound?

I've been working diligently on a guest blog post which should be available to read sometime soon. I also have two interviews coming up in the next few days, as part of my Book-Blog-Tour. More info on both shortly.

~~~

St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre Writing Series

NEW! The Poet and Writer’s Pen

Jan. 23, Feb. 20, March 13, Sep. 18, Oct. 16 & Nov. 20
6:30-8:30 p.m. • $3 per session (in advance or at the door)

Attention all poets and writers! Come join us for a creative, literary and musical evening in our galleries. You don’t have to be a seasoned writer to join us. In fact, you may just want to come to listen. Each writer will be given eight minutes in which to share their original written or musical work. A sign-up will be available at the door. Since time is limited, performances will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information or to register, please contact the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre at 636.397.6903, ext.1624.

~~~

The above notice is for people in the St. Louis & St. Charles County, Missouri area. A couple of weeks ago when I was at the Arts Centre, I picked up a paper flyer about this event. I searched and searched online for more information, but could not find a thing. Long story short: It was the last thing listed on a web page for "Art Classes." 

There's also this from the same page:

Time for Tea and Creativity: Write it Down!
Feb. 12, 1-3 p.m.

$7 (includes cake, cookies, tea and coffee) 

Spend an enjoyable afternoon among friends learning about far away places and self-expression.

Register in advance at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre or by calling 636.397.6903, ext. 1624. 

Do you wish you could express yourself through poems, short stories, photos or essays? Or, perhaps you already do. Come to this program with an open mind and the willingness to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with others. There will be several fun, interactive games to spark your creative genius. Please bring a photocopied photograph of a loved one (it could be you) to the tea no larger than a 5X7.

~~~

So, to all writers/bloggers in this area, here are a couple of fun and unique events that cost very little! 

I'll be back tomorrow with more Writerly News! Thank you!

* Thanksgiving is More Than Just One Day *

While Vern and I walked yesterday, I marveled at the glorious leaves, some of which still clung to branches, many covered portions of yards, and others skidded and tumbled along the streets and sidewalks. 

I thought again how everything that has previously happened in my life has brought me to where I am right now. How every event that occurred, whether happy or sad, has been part of my life's path. 

When I was a child the route was chosen for me by my parents, and then when I was a young adult, I decided my own course. Sometimes I needed to make a detour and other times the detour was already in place ahead of me. 

Countless people waste so much precious time fretting about "If Onlys." 

If only I'd taken that job I wanted.
If only my parents didn't do this or that.
If only I had more money.
Etc. 

I learned a long time ago to stop thinking that way. When and how did I figure that out? I really can't remember, at least not at this moment. 

All I know is this: I'm very happy. And material things have nothing to do with my happiness. Can I say that I'm glad every "bad" incident happened in order for me to be in this blissful state of mind? I guess that's what I've been trying to say. It's that domino effect.

Although I sincerely thought I knew what my feelings were about everything in my past, I didn't really begin to know until I began to write my memoir. I still have more to think about. More to learn. More to delve into. I'll just have to start on "the sequel," I guess. ☺

~~~~~

This post doesn't really seem like a Thanksgiving one, does it? I may have gotten a bit too reflective, but my point is this: 

I am alive. I am here on this beautiful earth. My life is not perfect and neither am I! But I'm grateful & thankful, every single day of my life for every single thing that happened along the way. It has made me who I am. 

~~~~~

Happy Thanksgiving!

And have a cup of yummy flavored coffee with me, with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkles on top!

"This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control you own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy." -- Susan Polis Schutz