The 4th of July holiday ended on a very somber note for so many here in Texas. I’m sure you’ve heard the news about the catastrophic flooding and high death toll in the Texas Hill Country. It’s times like these I shake my head and have to wonder why. Of course, there’s no answer. If you are of the praying kind, please include those suffering from this tragedy.

It was a chaotic week, but I’m not sure I ever have any other kind. Early in the week, my youngest granddaughter had a wreck on her bicycle and hurt her knee. She was put into a knee brace and on crutches. Then, in the middle of the week, I got a frantic phone call from my daughter asking if I could come out and help them look for Samantha’s pet snake who had escaped from his confines. 🙂 Of course, I went and searched everywhere I could think of that a snake might hide. After eight hours, I went home. Then later that night, I got a text from my daughter saying they had found him. He had crawled into the very tip top of Samantha’s closet and was hidden inside a plastic bin. I had looked in that closet multiple times during the search, but never got a ladder and climbed up. At least they found him and put him back where he belongs. I woke up Thursday morning not feeling well and after a trip to the doctor, wound up with an antibiotic prescription. So, as you can see, it was a heck of a week.
But all is well despite the insanity. My youngest daughter turned 47 on Sunday, the 6th. I’m not quite sure how that’s even possible, but we enjoyed celebrating her. She grew up to be a powerhouse of a woman! She’s a great mom to the girls and fur babies, and juggles a demanding job as a lawyer for Johnson Controls.

On the writing front, I did one final read-through of the manuscript for A Bold Bargain, and I’m so glad I did. At one point in the story, I changed a character’s name and in this reading, I found three places where it had not been changed. 🙂 So, I fixed that for sure. I also pulled out some quotes to use in marketing and I’ll share one here. Now, it’s off to the formatter. Have you pre-ordered your copy yet? A big thank you goes to everyone who has!

I have the reviews for books I read in June all caught up and will be sharing those with you on Wednesday.
I love this inspirational quote. Fear is crippling. Courage is empowering.

Instead of the tarot cards this week, I was drawn to the Angel Oracle Cards and just love the one that popped out. The message rings true!

That’s all for today. I hope you all have a good week ahead. There will be no post next Monday as I’ll be in Michigan. I won’t make any promises about keeping up with blogs while I’m gone. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ll miss most of them, but I’ll do what I can.
I am sorry to hear about your granddaughter’s accident, Jan. Being on crutches is awful, especially in the summer.
Our hearts go out to everyone who experienced the tragic loss in Texas this weekend. It’s so hard to comprehend.
I’m glad to hear you’re making progress on A Bold Bargain. Release date is not that far away. I hope this week is less hectic, and I hope you are feeling better.
Thanks so much, Dan. I saw Samantha yesterday and she’s walking without the crutches now, but still wearing the knee brace. She will be fine. Kids bounce back quick. I appreciate you stopping by and for all the kind words.
They do bounce back quickly. If you or I took that fall…
Happy birthday to Crystal. Glad you caught the character name changes.👍
Thank you for stopping by, Priscilla. Yes, that final read through was worth the time and effort it took!
Wow! That’s a busy week. I can relate to catching things on that last reading.
Thank you for stopping by, Craig. You’ve been pretty busy yourself, so you relate. And it always pays to take the time for a final read through!
Nice update. What a proud mama and you should be. She has your eyes. Again, I am stealing a marketing idea from you. Love the idea of a free-standing quote. Yeah, I know it’s been done before but through your pen, it finally sunk into my brain!
Lol, Jacqui. Your comment made me smile. We always learn from each other. Happy to spark an idea! And yes, I am a proud mama for sure.
My thoughts and prayers are with those in Texas, Jan. Shaking my head at this tragedy as well.
Happy Birthday to Crystal. Lovely photo of you both. Enjoy your week. Sounds like a busy month. Hugs!
Thank you, Mary. Some tragedies hit hard, especially when it’s children. I appreciate your comment so much!
You probably get this a lot, Jan, but your daughter looks a lot like you. Isn’t it the best feeling when you look at your child with pride, realizing you’ve raised an amazing human? Safe travels. I spent part of yesterday listening to the incredible rescue stories in Texas.
We do hear that a lot, Pete, and she does look like me. It is a good feeling when I see the incredible women both of my daughters have become. I am very proud. Thanks so much for your comment. Have a good week ahead.
Your daughter could be your twin, Jan! Happy belated birthday to her. My heart hurts for all those families and friends who have lost a loved one and for all the furbabies that perished as well. :'( I love the angel oracle card, and it’s a great reminder to practice self-love. Thank you!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you for your kind words, Yvette. Yes, Crystal and I have been told we look alike. I agree about how the heart is shattered by all the loss that occurred. I’m glad you like the angel card. It really applied to me as well.
Our younger daughter is 47 too, Jan. It’s tough when your grandkids are hurt.
That is true, Tim. But kids bounce back quick, thank goodness.
Oh, my gosh, that snake reminds me of my tortoise…lol. You can check the place multiple times and overlook them. Your daughter seems to be a real power woman… raised by a power mom! Oh, and thank you for sharing this oracle card. What a lovely message for the week. Have a great one!
Thank you so much for your comment, Erika. And yes, the snake was certainly the winner at hide-and-seek. 🙂 My daughter is a powerhouse for sure. Thank you for the kind words. I loved the oracle card. We so often forget to be gentle with ourselves. I’m glad you stopped by.
I thank YOU 💖
Hi Jan, I’ve been thinking about those parents who’ve lost their children in the devastating flash floods. Life is so unpredictable and unfair!
That’s a lovely picture of mom and daughter. you are looking great.
The snake story is amazing!
Such an unimaginable tragedy, Balroop. My heart hurts for all those who are grieving. I can feel the heaviness. Thank you for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed the snake story. I was just happy we finally found him. 🙂
What a week, Jan! I hope your granddaughter heals quick and happy birthday to your daughter. Mine turns 40 and we had a party last weekend for it but her birthday is on the 8th. I had to giggle about the snake. I could imagine all the places they could skillfully hid making it impossible to find. Glad the snake was finally found. I’ve been on a couple searches here too, last week. First a frog was hopping around the kitchen and I tried to catch him it put him back outside when he disappeared. Took a while but he hid on top of the support bar on my roll shelves and I was rolling it around looking for him so he got a ride. Next it was a mouse which Jeff had to chase down, still trying to figure out how either one of them got in the house. Our cats aren’t doing their jobs and definitely some messages involved. Great card this week, I like that message and love the book quote. I’ve done that and had to catch the name change too. Can’t wait to read it and enjoy your travels! xo
How on earth did our kids get so old, Denise? 🙂 My granddaughter is already doing good and back to her normal self. It’s amazing how fast kids can heal up. The snake episode was definitely one for the books. At least he was supposed to be in the house unlike the frog and mouse. I’m with you about the mouse. That would be a job for someone else. Maybe the cats are being fed too well to care. Glad you enjoyed the oracle card. We often forget to be kind to ourselves. Thank you for your comment!
The Kerr County disaster is heartbreaking. Yes, I agree prayers are needed. I’m glad your granddaughter is okay. Bicycle accidents can be hazardous. Glad the snake was found. Takes that worry off your mind.
Best wishes on the book.
Heartbreaking is definitely the right word, John. I will continue to pray for all those suffering. I can feel the heaviness. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment today. Yes, the snake is back where he belongs and my granddaughter is healing up nicely. So, all’s well that ends well. Have a good week ahead!
Whoops. Forgot to wish Crystal a Happy Birthday
Sorry to hear about your granddaughter’s accident, Jan. As far as the snake? I wouldn’t have stepped foot in the house until it was found and contained – and maybe not even then. Hate them! You’re a brave woman. Happy birthday to Crystal!
I am definitely not a fan of the reptile, Teri, but my granddaughter loves them. They creep me out and even though I offered to look for him, I repeatedly said if I found him, I would not touch him. 🙂 Thanks for the birthday wish, and my granddaughter is healing up nicely from her accident.
I am sorry about your daughter’s accident but I am happy you found the escaped snake, and happy birthday to Crystal. There’s been a lot of tragedy lately, some of it close to home. I hope you are doing well otherwise.
Thank you, Thomas. Yes, the bicycle accident was no fun, but my granddaughter is healing up nicely. And yes, we are happy to have found the snake. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment!
Oh goodness — a snake?! My sons had lizards (not my favorite), gerbils, mice, and finally–thankfully–dogs. My daughter had rabbits and parrots and still has both. But just like you, when they were kids, I often had to search for these creatures when they’d escape their confines. 🙄 I love your gentleness card. ❤️
Believe me, I am not a fan of the snake, and have made sure they know I won’t ever touch it. 🙂 That’s just not for me. Thank you so much for stopping by, Gwen. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. The card really spoke to me. We often forget to be kind to ourselves. Have a good week ahead!
What a week you had, Jan, but celebrating your daughter’s birthday was special! Your photo is beautiful! The flooding tragedy is beyond heartbreaking. It’s unimaginable what the families are going through. As to the snake, I wouldn’t have wanted to find it. 🙂 But glad he was found! I hope your granddaughter heals soon too, and I loved the quote from your book and the one about courage. Hope you’re feeling better now also. 💕
Hi Jan, I’ve read some very sad stories about the flooding in Texas. America is having a bad year for natural disasters. I hope this is the last. Your week has been rough and I hope this one is better. Thanks for the angel card.