An Announcement

I found out my book "Steele and Stone" is a finalist for a Holt Medallion in the Short Contemporary category.  

Did This Challenge Change You? (week 52)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

Yes.

One way it challenged me was to be consistent in focusing each week to write and post a gratitude blog, which was harder than it seems.  We all say we have time, it’s only once a week, but believe me, it’s tough.  There were a few times, I’d have to post a few weeks’ worth at once just to catch up.  Where did my time go?  Was it sucked into facebookland?

I challenge YOU next year!  Can you do it?  Can you keep it up?  

It’s ONE POST A WEEK. 

Love and Peace,  

Kay 

100 Things to be Thankful For (week 51)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

In NO particular order:

1.       My son

2.       My family

3.       My ancestors

4.       Chocolate milkshakes

5.       Magic

6.       Candy corn

7.       My pets

8.       That I have always had “enough”

9.       The places I’ve traveled, and the means to get me there

10.   Mexican food

11.   US mail

12.   My writing buddies

13.   My editor

14.   My publisher

15.   My mentors

16.   Good shoes

17.   Comfy jeans

18.   Warm, soft sweatshirts

19.   Cocoa

20.   Lemonade

21.   Good craft beer

22.   Strawberry shortcake

23.   People who have read my books

24.   Favorite authors

25.   Good movies to look forward to

26.   My son’s teachers

27.   Reliable internet

28.   Netflix

29.   Amazon prime

30.   Heat and ac in my house

31.   Heat and ac in my car

32.   Safe, long road trips

33.   Happy meals

34.   Email

35.   Texting!

36.   Camera phones

37.   Smart phones

38.   Tablets

39.   Doctors

40.   Warm socks

41.   Hiking

42.   Sturdy shoes

43.   Birds that visit my feeders

44.   Nurses

45.   Animal vets

46.   Animal boarding

47.   UPS

48.   Fedex

49.   New friends

50.   Old friends

51.   High school reunions

52.   Mutual funds

53.   Real estate agents

54.   Coke

55.   Cool neighbors

56.   Fun games

57.   Stupid games

58.   To-do lists

59.   Dishwashers

60.   Home Depot

61.   JCPenney

62.   Amazon

63.   Windex

64.   Car that runs

65.   State of Nevada

66.   County of Clark

67.   City of Las Vegas

68.   Gravity

69.   Chiropractors

70.   Pain pills

71.   Nail polish

72.   Freedom

73.   Being American

74.   Short drive to son’s school

75.   Magic

76.   Full Moon

77.   Creativity

78.   Christmas decorations

79.   Friendly strangers

80.   Credit

81.   Delivery food

82.   Vacations

83.   Clean sheets

84.   Purple

85.   Drinking games

86.   Online strangers

87.   Funny memes

88.   Meditation

89.   Good movies

90.   Personal recommendations

91.   Hot chocolate

92.   80’s bands

93.   Spa treatments

94.   Warm showers on cold day

95.   Exterminators

96.   Grocery store selection

97.   Google – seriously!

98.   Comfy sweatpants

99.   Dove soap

100.  New friends

Love and Peace, 

Kay 

Lessons Learned this Year (week 50)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

Sometimes it seems we have to learn the same lessons over and over until they sink in, and others it seems we only have to learn once. 

A lesson I learned this year is to focus more, and to challenge myself.  I can do it!  I got a book published, with a respected publisher.  More than that, I have two more books on the way and a novella.  Knowing a publisher wanted my books gave me a huge shot of confidence.

Most of the lessons I learned this year were about trusting myself, my knowledge and my wisdom to overcome obstacles, and handle situations as they pop up. 

Love and Peace,  

Kay 

Things You Like About Winter (week 49)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

I like the crisp air, the snow on the mountains surrounding Las Vegas (I also like that the snow is up there – not down in the valley, usually).  I like the bare trees, I think seeing their skeletal structures against a sunset or cloudy sky is beautiful, and a favorite photography subject of mine.

I like that I don’t have to worry about my vegetable plants dying the in the dry heat, as they’re non-existent in the winter.

I like watching my big wolf-dog run around my yard, happy for the colder air. 

I like sipping hot cocoa while decorating for Christmas and wrapping presents. 

Fall is my favorite season, but winter is a second, for sure. 

Love and Peace,  

Kay 

Your Job (week 48)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

I was happy to be able to work nearly 15 years at a job I loved, with people I enjoyed being around every day.  That’s a rare thing.  Sure, there were days I wanted to walk out, but it wasn’t ever because of anyone that I worked closely with.

 

Since then, I’ve taken on a new job.  I’ve been able to follow my passion of writing, and I’ve self published three works and currently have one traditionally published novel.  I’m so glad to be able to have been afforded the opportunity to pursue this dream job.

 

What’s your dream job?  Is there a way you can work toward it today?

Love and Peace,

   

Kay 

Opportunities You've Been Given (week 47)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

When I first started thinking about what to write for this post, I thought about the amazing places I’ve been on vacation.  I’ve been lucky enough to view active volcanoes on 3 continents, which is something I feel very thankful for!  I’ve toured Scotland, Ireland, Israel, Greece, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and many other places. 

But, bla bla bla. 

There’s an opportunity that I relish even more.  MUCH more.  That is the opportunity to raise this amazing young man who chose me to be his mother.  In doing that, it’s been more rewarding than any fancy trip, and more educational than a fancy college would have been.  Watching him grow and change every day, has helped me to grow and change with him, and for him.  He is autistic.  He is unique and beautiful and his mind amazes me.  Even though he’s 8, I still watch him sleep sometimes, to look at his beautiful, peaceful face and wonder what he’s dreaming about.  I have a feeling that I always will, except, probably, when he’s grown and married, because that would be weird.  Haha.

 

THIS is the opportunity that, although it give me the most stress sometimes, is the most rewarding.

Being a MOMMY. HIS Mommy!

Love and Peace,  

Kay 

Technology (week 46)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

Love it or hate it, it’s not going away.  Technology is embedded in our daily routines almost as sure as breathing.

 

I see it as both good and bad.  The good part is that it has made so many things in our lives easier than they ever have been.  Remember the old days before Google, when you couldn’t remember the same of a movie or a song, and it would drive you nuts for days?  Then, finally, usually at some inopportune moment, you’d remember and triumphantly yell out “it was Busta Rhymes!” in the otherwise quiet grocery store while shopping for melons?  Well, maybe some of you still remember (and some of you are probably Googling who Busta Rhymes is).

So, is it a good thing to have such immediate access to information, or has it made us lazy?

A bad side to this information overload is the fact that there are so many input sources for internet news, that there is almost no filter as to what is accurate.  As evidenced in our recent election, no matter which candidate you wanted, you could no doubt find positive and negative spins on each.  The truth was hidden.  Not meaning to make this a political post, just want to illustrate how an overload of information can complicate things.

I challenge you to turn off all devices at least 4 hours one afternoon this week.  See what you can accomplish the good fashioned way, without technology.  And that means the TV too!

Good luck!

Love and Peace, 

Kay 

What Do You Do For Fun? (week 45)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

I’m a nature girl, so when I’m feeling off balanced; I need to go seek serenity in nature.  I stop on the trail, listen to the quiet, notice the things around me that some don’t.  And, there is always a “plan” for me being there.

For example, I recently went on an impromptu hike/walk with my boyfriend at a nearby conservation area.   Some lovely women showed up, and one sang while another beat a drum, in a lovely ritual.  We could hear their music echoing off the canyon walls as we walked.
 

Then, I took a photo of a thistle, and this lovely butterfly landed just as I snapped the picture.  What a ham!

These things might not be fun for all, but they are for me!

Love and Peace, 

Kay 

Your Favorite Holiday (week 44)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

Well, it’s a close tie, but I have to say my favorite holiday is Halloween!  I think it’s because I have a creative soul, and there’s so much make believe that happens on this day.  I love seeing what people choose to dress up as, on a day when they could basically be anything.  My son has followed in my footsteps, and absolutely loves Halloween, and everything related to it.

 

It’s simply AWESOME!

Love and Peace,

   

Kay 

A Mentor (week 43)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

I’ve had a few mentors over my life.  They probably didn’t even realize it at the time, either.  I think, if I’d told them I was trying to learn from them, they would have altered the way they taught me, and that wouldn’t have been as natural or effective.

Love and Peace, 

Kay 

Your Favorite Possession (week 42)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

This is a tough one.  

Hmmm, a possession? 

I can’t really think of one.  I guess, if I had to, I’d say my laptop.  Seems silly, but I have so many photos stored on here; it would be heartbreaking to lose it.  I also have all my writing stored on here (and backed up regularly, of course).

It’s purple.  I love purple!

Love and Peace,  

Kay 

Hobbies (week 41)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

A hobby is generally something you do for fun, not for profit.  Isn’t that the correct definition? Well, I’m lucky enough to be able to have made a little bit of money with my “hobby” of photography.  I’ve always loved photography.  As a child, I would pose my stuffed animals and Barbie’s for fashion shoots with my little camera (side note: it’s so nice to not have to wait for film to be developed any longer).

I belong to a fabulous, small group of local artists, and we have shows a few times a year.  I’m the photographer of the group, and it humbles me to see my photos hung alongside some of the amazing acrylics and watercolors these other artists come up with.

 

Here is a sampling of my photography.

Love and Peace,  

Kay 

Greatest Accomplishment (week 40)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

Okay, this one is predictable.  My greatest accomplishment is being a mom to my wonderful son.  I wanted to be a mom for a long time before it finally happened, and every day since has been a roller coaster (and, important fact here…..I LOVE ROLLER COASTERS!).  Being a parent is harder than I thought it would be, but it’s also WAY BETTER than I ever dreamt it would be.  The pride I feel when I see his interactions with the world is overwhelming.  Watching him grow into the man he will be, is mesmerizing.

The most important thing a parent can do is raise their child to be a positive influence on the world.  I hope I’m accomplishing that.

Love and Peace,  

Kay 

Your Heritage (week 39)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

I wish I knew. Seriously.

I’m envious of friends that have a defining heritage to identify with.  I have none, but I will claim one.  AMERICAN!  I’m a prime example of the melting pot of the world – the great country (still great!) that welcomed immigrants – immigrants who fell in love with and married other immigrants, and over and over.

I do know, however, that I have a mix of French, German, English and American Indian in there somewhere.  I’ve actually pondered getting a DNA test done to find out.  Genetics are a fascinating thing.

Love and Peace,

Kay 

Music You Love (week 38)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

ALL OF IT!

Well, let me re-phrase it.  I don’t like modern country music.  So, with the exception of that, I’m pretty eclectic.  You’d be just as likely to find me rocking out at an Iron Maiden concert, as at a performance of the local bagpipe society.  There are many weekends that I’ve been known to dance like a goofball at a local 80’s band performance (I love the dorky 80’s music)!  When I’m upset or tense, I listen to the local classical station because I find wordless music soothes me.  When I’m cleaning the house, I’m listening to Prince or old school rap.

So, you see, I’m difficult to pin down in the music department.  It’s all good (ok, and SOME country is tolerable, haha).

Love and Peace,  

Kay 

Something You Created (week 37)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

Time for some shameless self promotion!

In just a few short weeks, book 1 of my Daring Heart’s Series, Steele and Stone, will be available in paperback and e-book.  I wrote a book, and I’m proud of it.  More than that, I’ve written a few more that are in the works, along with some short stories and novellas.

 

If you have a dream, reach for it!

Love and Peace,

   

Kay

Available HERE

Elle Thompson was raised in Denver. She paints. She hikes. She knows how to avoid cougar attacks.

The only cougars Michael Williams usually worries about are the ones that wear leopard print leggings on 5th Avenue.

But, when his acquisition firm sets its sights on Elle's family business, his tidy life goes awry. As things unravel, so do all his preconceived notions of love and what makes a perfect partner.

Your Home (week 36)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

Home is ultimately where the heart is.  It’s true.  While I am very attached to the current home I live in, I realize that without the love inside it, it’s just a box.  It’s been a strange year.  I’ve had to say bittersweet goodbyes to two of the homes from my past.  They’d both become a shadow of their former selves.  It was time. 

Time flies.

Love and Peace,

   

Kay 

Your Neighborhood (week 35)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

I currently live in the same house I grew up in (though, I had a long absence from it in between).  But, I love my neighborhood.  It’s an older neighborhood for this city, it definitely quirky, and it’s grown a lot since I was shorter.  I remember coyotes running down the street, and riding my horse in the empty desert when I was young.  I haven’t seen a coyote around my neighborhood in years, and although I still see young girls riding their horses, they’re talking on their cell phones at the same time.

 

Time flies.

Love and Peace,  

Kay 

Things You Like About Fall (week 34)

52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

Did someone mention HALLOWEEN? 

OMG, I LOVE HALLOWEEN! Almost more than Christmas.

 

Love and Peace,  

Kay