Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Christmas

~ Time with friends and family

~ Grilled cheese on Kneaders' Cranberry Pistachio bread

~ Electric fireplace, warm and cozy

~ God's grace

Are you ready?

Celebrate with the first story in the Holiday, USA, series.

Happy New Year?

Welcome to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Officer Tim Black moved to Holiday for a change of scene. He never anticipated wanting to change his single status at the same time, but the lady refuses to even date him.

Sandy Foster moved to Holiday to escape her dysfunctional family, changing everything about her life. Finding someone who wanted to share her life holds a never-ending spot on her uninspiring list of New Year's resolutions.

The tiniest misunderstanding and the willingness to set pride aside might make the difference between spending the New Year alone and a Happily Ever After... 

http://www.amazon.com/Happy-New-Year-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HCQKGF4/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2014

All four novellas published in 2014 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2014-1/dp/150773459X/ref=sr_1_6

A New Year is coming.

 

TBR 2023

156. Cowboy Daddy, Jingle-Bell Baby by Linda Goodnight contemporary romance. The story takes place at Christmas time. I enjoy the characters and the story.

157. Christmas Wishes by Barbara Metzger Regency Christmas time romance, with delightful humor.

158. Sunshine For Christmas by Mary Jo Putney Regency Christmas time romance. Every time I read it, I want to visit Italy.

159. Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balough collection of Christmas time romance novellas.

160.  Christmas Cinderella by Elizabeth Rolls Christmas time romance novella. 

161. A Winter Night's Tale (Mistletoe Kisses) by Deborah Hale Christmas time romance novella. 

162. A Twelfth Night Tale (Mistletoe Kisses) by Diane Gaston Christmas time romance novella. 

163. A Soldier's Tale (Mistletoe Kisses) by Elizabeth Rolls Christmas time romance novella. 

164. The Other Wise Man by Henry van Dyke Christmas story, sharing the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, a parable. 

165.  The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin Christmas story.

166. The Generous One by Dieter F. Uchtdorf a Christmas pamphlet sharing the gift of the One whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. 

167. Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien  

168. Colton's Montana Hideaway (Colton's of New York series) by Justine Davis suspense romance. The Colton series are multiple authors, with each book by a different author but characters blending throughout. Funnily enough, I don't mind not knowing the rest of the story, but I would be disappointed to miss anything by Justine Davis.  

169. Once Upon a Christmastime by variety of authors, collection of short stories.

REAL Dec 18-23

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Mon: Walks 10/10/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Tue: Walk 10/55/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Wed: Walk 15/10/15 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Thu: Walk 30/30/20/25 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Fri: Walk 10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Sat: Walk 1 hr 10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5     

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Sharing delicious food with dear friends

~ Christmas movies

~ Blessed rain

~ Christmas Eve

~ God's grace

Christmas Lost

Celebrate with a story.

Christmas Lost

The twelfth novella in the series is here...

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Townie Karen Little is the resident quintessential spinster. She's lived in the same house her whole life, more than half a century. She knows she's stuck, but her plans for the future blow up in her face, on a regular basis. Why risk being wrong again?

After six years, Holiday Diner's owner, Alexander Hamilton, is still a newbie and Holiday's most eligible silver fox bachelor. Being the catch of the day for the single women of Holiday makes his vow to never marry again a challenge. Why test the three strikes you're out rule?

Sometimes, so much time passes, it feels like God has forgotten, but He is moving all the pieces into place for the right moment...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHC1CL9/ref=sr_1_1  

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt 

Are you ready for Christmas?

 

REAL Dec 11-16

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Mon: Walks 15 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Tue: Walk 10/25/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Wed: Walk 10/20/10/20/15/15 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Thu: Walk 10/45 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Fri: Walk 10/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Sat: Walk 10/35/10/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5     

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Carolers 

~ Electric fireplace

~ Hot running water

~ Fresh baked brownies 

~ God's grace

Christmas Present

Celebrate with a story.

Christmas Present

The eighth novella in the series is here...

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Terra Connor is looking forward to her first two-week vacation, even if it means working part of the time to ease her daughter's mind. Her daughter's wedding on Christmas Eve is her only priority, and she definitely doesn't have time for romance.

Carson McDonald is in Holiday for his younger brother's wedding. The friendly town is as good a place as any to rest and recover from the upheaval of losing his job due to an accident. He has enough on his plate for the foreseeable future.

God's ways are not man's ways...

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Present-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B01ASDPDJQ/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2015

All four novellas published in 2015 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2015-2/dp/153018617X/ref=sr_1_22

Christmas is coming

 

REAL Dec 4-9

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Mon: Walks 10/10 min 

Tue: Walk 40/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Wed: Walk 10/15/15/10/10/20/15 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Thu: Walk 15/25 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Fri: Walk 10/10 min 2.5 hrs PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Sat: Walk 15/30/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5     

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Electric fireplace, pretty and functional

~ Church Christmas party

~ Christmas movies

~ Christmas stories

~ God's grace

TBR 2023

151. Season of Angels (Heart Lake Book 8) by Jo Grafford suspense romance. 

152. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens audio version provided on YouTube by Clamavi De Profundis. I don't know how long it will remain posted, but this is the link to stave 1 https://youtu.be/gNKQO2-7Qzo?si=2DvuUOWSLdL-llkF stave 2 https://youtu.be/w8JDiRRFMbA?si=Bd9mzI3rpnvVlK9r stave 3 https://youtu.be/6nomR4I0foM?si=tfZvFdrLO_Dd-zIO stave 4 https://youtu.be/3yQNHL8xHNE?si=zJnq-IehB4LK5lHp stave 5 https://youtu.be/7j--pp1tFhI?si=WJ0d_m1kUTKk5zaa

153. Operation Takedown (Cutter's Code series Book 16) by Justine Davis suspense romance. Page turner. The Cutter's Code series are heart stopping stories, with wonderful characters. Another keeper.

154. The Best Husband Money Can Buy (A Stockingful of Joy) by Mary Jo Putney Regency romance novella. The start of my Christmas stories.

155.  A Light in the Window (A Stockingful of Joy) by Justine Davis Western romance novella. A little bit of wonder that touches my heart.

TBR 2023

146. I'll Love You Enough (The Imagination series Book 11) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. Heartbreaking and wow.

147. Only When I Dream (The Imagination series Book 12) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. What a fantastic series. So many insights into my own life. Loved it.

148. To Protect and Serve (The Courage series Book 1) by Staci Stallings contemporary inspiration romance Audiobook. This is available on YouTube. Book 2, in the series, recently started.

149. Winds of Change (Heart Lake Book 1) by Jo Grafford suspense romance. 

150. Perils of Starlight (Heart Lake Book 3) by Jo Grafford suspense romance. 

REAL Nov 27 - Dec 2

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Mon: Walks 15/10/10/15/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Tue: Walk 30/30 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Wed: Walk 10/30/20/15/20 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Thu: Walk 30/30/10/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Fri: Walk 10 min 2 hrs 

Sat: Walk 30 min 1 hr PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5     

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Delicious dinner with family

~ Time with friends

~ Books by favorite authors

~ Christmas movies

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

Men/women who pretend they are God display an appalling arrogance and dangerous ignorance.

TBR 2023

141. Hopelessly Devoted to You (The Imagination series Book 6) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. Another book that walks me through things I need to learn in a way I enjoy and understand.

142. Always (The Imagination series Book 7) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. Definitely a page turner.

143. Making Believe (The Imagination series Book 8) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. Wow. This one has been the most painful and difficult for me. I see myself in so much of this. 

144. When You Sing a Love Song (The Imagination series Book 9) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. Another step forward in the story.

145. Who I Am With You (The Imagination series Book 10) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. What a remarkable journey, and I'm on it with them in so many ways. 

REAL Nov 20-25

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Mon: Walks 10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Tue: Walk 40/30 min 

Wed: Walk 10/30/10 min 

Thu: Walk 30/15/40/15 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Fri: Walk 10/25/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Sat: Walk 4 hrs PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5     

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Visiting with lifelong friends

~ Favorite authors

~ Beloved books

~ Thanksgiving 

~ God's grace

Musical Christmas Season Starters

...with some of my favorite songs that I listen to all year long...

The first one is simply totally fun.

All I want for Christmas by The Piano Guys

https://youtu.be/c16dH9QezyE 

Little Drummer Boy for King and Country

https://youtu.be/NzEX3QMuVPM 

 

Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by Manheim Steamroller on their Christmas album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anv4FIQ4tbo 

Believe Again: O Come All Ye Faithful by David Osmond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF__6qGtwSc 

Angels We Have Heard On High by The Piano Guys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg 

Baby, What You Goin' to Be by Trinity HS Alumni Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsoB7mmdmFg 

Mary, did you know? by Donny Osmond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtLCCrEVqPA 

Believe by Josh Grobin on the Polar Express album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ19mW-TMRk 

Merry Christmas Darling by the Carpenters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I 

Silent Night by David Osmond 
https://youtu.be/PkVATabHBqc 

The Gift by Aselin Debison
https://youtu.be/YeQt6S2O0Qk 

Gentri's O Holy Night
https://youtu.be/g4fvMgNfN0I

A Soldier's Silent Night
https://youtu.be/e29nKH4DCFQ 
A Christmas dedication to our men and women in uniform. A Soldier's Silent Night was originally titled 'Merry Christmas My Friend' and written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987.

Pour out gratitude

 

Are you ready?

Celebrate with a story.

Giving Thanks

The eleventh novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Eight years ago, Michelle Bronson ran away. Returning Thanksgiving Eve will allow her to settle before anyone knows she's home. Accepting Jesus made her new, but the past won't stay buried. She's strong enough to face it. She must, if she wants to embrace life. Maybe assistant baker at Holiday Sweets is the open door she's seeking.

Theodore Williams III lived his life as Mr. Straight as an Arrow. He remembers Michelle, along with his harsh judgment of her, but she's not what he expected. The choice is his to hold to what he knew or to embrace the new. Perhaps God is opening a door to the future.

Placing God first opens doors never imagined...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071W5C2T6/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt  

REAL Nov 13-18

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Mon: Walks 20/15 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Tue: Walk 40/35/10/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Wed: Walk 10/20/15/10/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Thu: Walk 30/10/20/20/20/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Fri: Walk 15/15/10/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Sat: Walk 10/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5     

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ A sweet surprise visit from the church 8-year-old boys with a song and treat, wishing me Happy Thanksgiving.

~ Dear Friends

~ Blessed rain

~ Helping others

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

Stupidity multiplied: California is shutting down some of their wind and solar farms because they are unable to effectively distribute the energy created. Wait...what? They're told to use less energy because they don't have enough energy. They use energy provided by Arizona's nuclear power plant but are incapable of sending anything back. The state is reminding me of the Dead Sea where water flows in and evaporates because it has nowhere else to go. Disturbing. Insane. Beyond stupid. 

Thanksgiving is coming.

 

REAL Nov 6-11

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Mon: Walks 15 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Tue: Walk 10/25/10/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Wed: Walk 10/30/10/30/15/10/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Thu: Walk 15/25/45 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Fri: Walk 15/15/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Sat: Walk 15/25/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5     

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ 90s have finally ended for this year

~ Leaving the door open

~ Visiting with friends

~ Good books

~ God's grace

Veterans Day

 

Thank you to all who honorably served.

TBR 2023

136. Becoming Me (The Imagination series Book 1) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. I look forward to reading any book by Staci. I enjoyed this one, allowing me to do a bit of remembering, reflecting, and reframing of my own life. Buckle up, this is the first book in a series of twelve.

137. The Taste of Tears (The Imagination series Book 2) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. The story continues. I'm glad I already have the next book.

138. Little Drops of Sunshine (The Imagination series Book 3) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. Staci's stories always given me an opportunity to sift through my life and look at it differently, gain greater understanding, let go.

139. Broken Heart Strings (The Imagination series Book 4) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance. The story is moving forward. I can't wait to read the next in the series. 

140. Only Together (The Imagination series Book 5) by Staci Stallings New Adult contemporary romance.  I love how she is taking me through some learning processes I never grasped growing up. It's never too late to grow and learn something new. Better late than never.

Brain Dump

California used taxpayer money to provide prisoners on death row with sex change surgery. Another way to read this: California is using taxpayer money to perform medical experiments on prisoners.

REAL Oct 30 - Nov 4

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Mon: Walks 10/15/10/10 min 

Tue: Walk 20/25/15/10 min PT 1-lb x2 UB x2 FL x5

Wed: Walk 55/15/10/10/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Thu: Walk 20/25/10/30/10/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Fri: Walk 10/10 min PT 0-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5

Sat: Walk 15/30/10 min PT 1-lb x1 UB x1 FL x5