Mailbox Monday - June 15

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

I am getting closer and closer to seeing a mailbox in the sand. We leave at the end of the month for North Carolina. I can't wait! Even though I am sure I will have to work while I am there, the change of scenery and of pace will be welcomed by all of us.

The Lil' Diva found a new job and is reconsidering her future college plans if she is forced to take online classes in the fall. The Lil' Princess is enjoying some much deserved time off after an intense school year; though she is looking forward to going back in the fall and seeing all her friends again. They both miss dance.

My mailbox last week held a little surprise I had forgotten about it.

I will be reviewing this one. It is coming along to North Carolina. 

What presents did you find in your mailbox? What is on you summer TBR list? 

Mailbox Monday - Jun 17

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a nice weekend. We took my father-in-law and his two boys out to dinner for Father's Day. It was nice to get together after a few weeks apart. Usually there are eleven of us, but my son and his wife couldn't make it.

This was an exciting week. The Lil' Diva received a scholarship and I received an award from the Realtor board. 

Work has been busy. I should have a listing coming up soon, and then two or three more once we return from the Outer Banks in July.

On the book front, there was nothing in my physical mailbox, but I picked up the first book in the Tempe Crabtree Mystery Series by Marilyn Meredith while it was free for Kindle. 

When I started this series, I was probably about six books in. That's around when I had started blogging in 2007. I've been meaning to go back and read the earlier versions. Though I have this in paperback, having it on the Kindle Fire will make it easier to read. 

What was in your mailbox? Are you looking forward to any summer reads? 

Mailbox Monday - Jun 3

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

It's that wonderful time of year again--end of school. This year it came about a month earlier than usual. Both girls are done with school until August. With the Lil' Diva graduating from high school--thank God for little blessings--it was a hectic week of senior events and a medical procedure that I foolishly jammed between them.

Prom night

Lil' Diva and Yia-Yia

Lil' Diva, Lil' Princess & the Boy

Our Graduate

I truly can't believe she graduated already. It seems like she just started Kindergarten.

The other thing that happened this weekend is that we decided there was nothing left at our old church to save. I'm sad, but strangely at peace with the whole thing. God has a plan. I'm sure it will be revealed at some point.

On the mailbox front, the only new offering is this book that I needed to review.

What was in your mailbox? 

Mailbox Monday - April 1

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Welcome back to Monday. It's April Fools' Day. Any good plans for that?  I just hope no one pranks me. I am so gullible.

Last week I missed blogging here. There were just too many things going on. I had listing appointments; my mother-in-law is with us;  the Lil' Diva had physical therapy for her back because it's really been bothering her; and I had meetings like crazy. Oh.and we saw KISS in Boston on Tuesday. They always put on a good show.

Paul Stanley visits the crowd

I also finished a chapter of my middle grade novel and started the next one. Hopefully the next chapter will be done before writing group meets next week. Changed my hair too!

In my book world, my physical mailbox held two presents:

Then I picked up this Kindle freebie. Young adult contemporary romance isn't my usual fare, but it sounds interesting.

What did your mailbox hold?

Mailbox Monday - Feb 25

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Happy Monday. Hope you all had a nice weekend. I worked a bit, but I've been trying to take a day off every once in a while. The Lil' Princess had her first dance show at school. It was three days of performances. All the girls did an amazing job. I'm just not sure how my little girl ended up being this grown up young woman. This is my youngest.

The Lil' Diva is getting ready for prom. Her dress came in and we picked out shoes this weekend. I can't believe she is going to graduate this year.

As far as my mailbox goes, the physical mailbox was empty. That's okay, because I have plenty to read. I did, however, order two books that I wanted for my Kindle.

Johnnie Johnson spoke at our company's national convention in California earlier this month. I didn't go, but heard he was amazing. 

That's it from my neck of the woods. Hope you have a great week. Feel free to share any of your new books in the comments. 

Sifting through Memories

As part of project Get Rid of the Clutter, I cleaned out the shed this weekend. I had forgotten how many playthings were in there from the girls' younger days: sand toys from the boat shaped sand box, the Barbie® jeep they and their friends drove around the cul-de-sac while playing tunes on a battery operated radio, a myriad of water guns that no longer work, and tiny bicycles that have long since been outgrown. So many memories and so many treasures.

I was able to part with most things, but couldn't quite let go of these:

The twin shovels the girls used to help Paddy clear the snow. That usually lasted five minutes before they wanted to come in for hot chocolate with marshmallows in front of the fireplace.

The bird house the Lil' Diva made on a school field trip and the training wheels off her bicycle when she finally felt brave enough to ride on her own.

As I tucked away the remaining gardening tools in a cleaner shed, those memories brought a tear to my eye. Those days will never come again. But with God's grace, new adventures and fond memories are in the making. 

Mailbox Monday - Aug 13

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

The Outer Banks has been very much on my mind this week, so the beach mailbox is back. We're already planning next year's vacation. I would actually love to go down in December if we could do it cheaply enough. Since the Lil' Princess will have several weeks off around Christmas, it would be a perfect time for us to get away. Guess we will have to wait and see what the Lil' Diva's work schedule looks like.

Speaking of the Lil' Diva--she turned 17 this weekend. There are days I wish I could turn back time and make her 5 again. She's already looking forward to college next year.

Here is what my mail carrier dropped off to me this week.

I've read the other books in the series and loved them. This will be a new author to me, so I hope I'll enjoy this installment of The Daughters of the Mayflower as well.

This is a poetry collection that I'll be reviewing at The Book Connection next week. 

This is another poetry collection with beautiful artwork. I think I'm reviewing this one in September. 

I'll be in Devens for a strategic planning event today, so I might be late visiting your blogs. I hope you'll share your mailbox with us. Have a blessed week.

Mailbox Monday - Aug 28

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

I wouldn't want you to think I am busy or anything, but the last Mailbox Monday I posted was on....July 31! As I mentioned in my recent post, life is hectic around here. I just signed up a new seller and three new buyers. I am also committed to holding open houses every Wednesday at a new subdivision in town and an open house there every other Sunday. If everything works out the way it should, September will bring with it five closings.

School is starting on Wednesday, so we've been doing a bit of back to school shopping. Now that the Lil' Diva is able to drive, I've been trying to give her the chance to do it as much as she can so she'll be ready for Driver's Ed. And get this...she just got her first job! How in the heck is she old enough to be working and driving? Pretty soon we will be touring colleges. Yikes!

The Lil' Princess had her first soccer practice last week and we are hoping she has a wonderful season. She has missed playing and a good season would prepare her for high school next year. She gave up the violin, but might pick up piano. We will see how that goes.

On to book matters....

I've lost track of how many books have arrived since my last Mailbox Monday, but here is what is visible from my desk.

A Simple Wish

Kin Types

Winter Warning

This Book is Full of Monsters

Benji and The 24 Pound Banana Squash

When Will Fall Arrive?

You Know What?

Santa, Please Bring Me a Gnome

What was in your mailbox last week? Hope it was great. Wishing you a blessed week.

Busy Days, Busy Mom

This is definitely me lately. It has been a hectic two weeks around here. We took the Lil' Diva, the Lil' Princess, and a friend to Cape Cod for a few days for the Lil' Diva's 16th birthday. Oh my gosh, how did that happen? Didn't I just take that girl home from the hospital.

The real estate market continues to be crazy. Sales in our county were up 10% from the same time last year and up 5.3% in the Pioneer Valley overall. I'm working late many days of the week and that's no fun since summer is winding down and the girls will be going back to school next Wednesday. 

Last Friday we also transitioned my father-in-law into assisted living. My mother-in-law, who is more independent and not in such ill health, is still living at home. It's tough bouncing around between two homes and trying to keep everything moving forward, but we will figure it out. Thankfully God sends little blessings throughout the week to encourage us. 

I've got new book arrivals to share if I ever have time to post a Mailbox Monday and I've got at least one book review to write. 

Well, tomorrow is another day and we will see what God has in store for us. Hope you are having a great week. 

Mailbox Monday - June 5

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Welcome to the first Monday in June. A bit rainy here, but the sun will come out one day this week. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. It was a family and friends weekend for us.

Another year of dance is quickly coming to an end. On Saturday the girls had recital pictures. I'm not quite sure how this...

and this....

Turned into this...

We also attended a wedding for a young couple from our church. We wish them many blessings and much happiness.

On Sunday, we had church and then visited my father-in-law who is currently in rehab after another fall at home. Growing old certainly isn't for sissies. 

As far as my mailbox, it's been pretty dull lately. I haven't been requesting much of anything since I am so far behind. This cute elementary age graphic novel arrived unsolicited from the publisher.

Second grade isn't always a breeze for Birdie. There are just so many opportunities to embarrass herself! But Birdie's got a secret weapon that nobody knows about--her alter-ego, Crafty Cat! Birdie can become Crafty Cat without anyone noticing, and she always manages to get herself out of a jam using her awesome crafting skills! When Birdie goes to a day-camp for crafting, she knows she's going to have a great time and be the best in the group. But when things go wrong, can Crafty Cat help Birdie set them right?

From Just Grace and Fashion Kitty author Charise Mericle Harper comes the next volume in a hilarious, charming, and sweet new graphic novel trilogy for elementary-age readers about a little girl who can craft her way out of any situation.

That's it from my neck of the woods. Hope you have a great week.

The Busy Mom's Year in Review

We are heading into a new year tonight and that's the perfect time to consider the year we are leaving behind.

As far as business goes, it's been great:

I sold a little over $2.9 million in real estate in 2016. That's a 66% increase over last year. Honestly, I don't track my numbers religiously. It's the people I meet and help that motivate me to do more. My manager is the one who brought it to my attention as he was pulling year end reports. Not sure what 2017 will look like yet, but I've been refining my systems and setting up geographic farming to increase my productivity and numbers. My business plan is in order and I'll have my first business planning meeting of the new year coming up soon. 

In other exciting news, my third children's book was released. 

Though writing has taken a back seat to real estate, I'm still active in a local writing group, sit on the planning conference for the Write Angles Conference, and blog at a variety of sites. 

Thanks to the 21 Day Fix and my Beachbody® coach, I lost 14 pounds this year and got to my goal weight of 110. This has been a year of eating better, exercising more, and changing how I shop at the grocery store. 

At The Busy Mom's Daily we shared a handful of book reviews, some recipes, and a few tips along the way. We posted 29 Mailbox Monday posts and 5 Wordless Wednesday posts. The electronic newspaper, "A Busy Writer Mom's Daily," continues. I've made a few changes to content sources, so it might look different. 

As far as the family goes, the Lil' Diva is now 15 and the Lil' Princess is 13. How did I end up with two teenagers? They dance. They sing. The youngest plays soccer and violin. And though you can't tell from this photo, they are both beautiful. 

Then there is Dad--the guy who keeps us all together. He's the voice of reason amid the chaos. He's the dedicated family man who wakes up five days a week to put in 12 hours of work so that we can do what we like to do, support the charities we like to lend a hand to, and make sure we are well taken care of. 

We can't forget our furry beasts that give us so much joy and more than a few laughs.

A little elf told us that we will be adding a dog to the mix soon. 

As we head into the new year, it is my sincere prayer that it will be a year filled with blessings, health, and much happiness for all of you.