family – Page 13 – Prolific Pulse Blog

love celebrate valentine happy valentine — Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

Welcome to TTOT and the first February 2020 Leap Year post! Without a lot of fuss I am going to blow right in!

1. WOOWEE Was it every so windy today! BUT! It was not raining too much 🙂 It was buckets and flying windys yesterday, but it could have been worse. Power flickered and played hide and seek with us and we survived just fine. It’s doing without that helps our character, right?

2. Smooooothe sailing for the Real ID today! I took my soon to be 44 year old daughter to get her Real ID – in case you don’t know about it – it’s a thing you need for reasons such as flying, entering a Federal building, and important stuff like that. I would have gotten mine too (since we’re supposed to have them by October) but I am just past the window to have to pay twice. We only had an hour wait and there was a full house at the DMV. I think several were there for licenses. And with it being windy the DMV official announced it might be a “never” for getting driving tests today. YIKES!! I hope that didn’t come out to be true.

3. Health – I have been getting these treatments for my neck and back and got the first on for my back this week. It went very well. It was done quickly and I did not take anything medicated (sleepy making) to relax. I am feeling good effects from it. And I graduated from Physical Therapy on Monday and just have to do home exercises, so it’s all good. Here is the link to help explain what the Radiofrequency Ablation is.

4. Opportunity for Artistic Focus – I have participated in inspired art with Elizabeth Foley and she invited me to participate this month to be a part of this activity again. I am grateful as it gets my creative juices going.

5. Daughter is here and we are celebrating her birthday on Saturday! I can’t believe she will be 44! Where does the time go? Seems like it was just yesterday that this sweet little 8 year old found her way into my heart instantly! She resides there closer that ever and I cherish these times together. She’s gonna be reading this post, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jodi!!

6. Support – I had an excellent meeting with other writers on Wednesday. It helps a lot to have real time support from other writers and I hope I offer the same to them. Writing is mostly an isolated career, but sometimes you need a little help from your friends.

7. 8. 9. Observations – I was at the Starbucks at the grocery store with Jodi and we were having her celebratory hot chocolate (they added butterscotch a positive experiment) and my coffee (yeah, I’m boring). I observed a lady eating a pastry. She was taking her time nibbling her way around it and savoring every bite. It made me think about how in life we can get in such a hurry and consume food so fast and not take the time to enjoy. It took her quite a while to finish and I could tell by the look on her face that she was thoroughly enjoying every bit. I looked over at the produce section and saw the colors of apples on display and wondered how many people pay attention to the care that the produce folks take. Then there was the checkout lady who was super friendly, even though she said she had stayed very busy, she loved what she did, it was clear to see and she took just the right care of the groceries, packing them just right.

10. And then there’s you! We got to the end of this and there is a blue link where you can post and share your thankfuls. So, how about it? Even just one is fine. And if you are in a hurry, just comment your thankful. And have an awesome week!

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – Jan 31 2020

January 31, 2020January 31, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

photo of body of water with boulders — Photo by Inge Wallumrød on Pexels.com

We’ve reached the end, folks. It’s January 31, making this the end of the first month of the new year. Not so new anymore. How’s it been for you? My month has been decent. I have made some good changes and pursued goals, meeting some and working on others. The important thing is to keep on working. So, without further introduction, here are the top 10 thankfuls for this week.

1. The Golden Girls and Betty White’s birthday! Who knew that Betty White really is older than sliced bread? That’s what the internet says 🙂 I love Betty White. She’s been in my life for years. I used to watch her on her husband’s show and they were so cute. It was called Password. Maybe some of the older ones on here remember that show. I turn on the Golden Girls in the background while I am working on projects. It’s like visiting old friends.

2. Daughter is coming! She is going to turn 44 soon and she will be coming this week to celebrate and do annual important things such as get her new ID. We are going to a special event and have some valuable time together.

3. Lucy Brummett has this Lovely Blog Go check it out. I have met her at the Raleigh NC Bloggers meetup and she is a true gem! She is an author, freelancer and archer!

photo of person taking out arrows from target board — Photo by Burst on Pexels.com

4. Paul Stryer has an awesome blog for helping people get blogs started. He’s a walking, talking resource who has helped our blog group members so much! Here is th elink to his blog: Bloggers Workspace

5. Test Results were AOK! I had a MRI of the brain this week and other than old age, I am AOK No news is good news!

6. PT is going well. I was able to perform the exercises and I am doing well.

7. The neck procedure on Monday worked out well. It was painful, but better than the prior time. Breathing helps. Otherwise, I might be dead. So always breathe!

air atmosphere blue blue sky — Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

Picture of the sky to remind us to breathe.

8. Art news! My niece is a wonderful artist and I referred her to someone who needed an illustrator and she’s on the job! I love it! Here is something she did a while back:
1918673_10156430852285171_4693996676215150276_n
My sister holding the Cardinal painting done by niece (her granddaughter) Kay Doiron

9. Attitude is Everything! I wrote this little Six Sentence Story about that topic: There’s Something to Be Said for Attitude

10. Here’s the best seat at the house. It’s the one where you get a chance to tell us your thankfuls! Please feel free to reply with your thankful for this week or create a blog post and join us. Just click on the link below to add.

clear glass bowl beside yellow flower — Photo by Mareefe on Pexels.com

Here’s to a great week!!

Short Fiction, short story

Growing Pains

January 22, 2020January 22, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

people dancing inside building — Photo by Maurício Mascaro on Pexels.com

“Mom, he’s just so, so, uhm, dynamic,” Marci pleaded.

“I don’t care about how much of a dynamo he is, he’s asking you to go to the homecoming dance and I don’t want him breaking my daughter’s heart.”

“I don’t know why you are so worried about that, mom, he’s not going to hurt me; Why would you think that?”

“Look at how you are, Marci; You have the most laid-back personality that people walk over you, they ignore you and who’s to say he won’t find that easy, as well?”

“But mom, he likes me, I don’t think he will ignore me; After all, he did ask me to the dance.”

“Well, he may have asked you to the dance, but I’m concerned about my daughter, but you will have to go and find out, I suppose; I just hope he will be true to your heart.”

…

There you have it! This is in response to the Six Sentence Story Prompt: Dynamic

Perhaps you would like to participate. Just go to Girlie on the Edge’s Blog and give it a try!

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – January 10

January 11, 2020January 11, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

photo of planner and writing materials — Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

It’s time again for Ten Things of Thankful or TTOT! Can you believe we are 10 days into 2020? If you have made resolutions, I hope it has gone well. Or, maybe goals are more your thing. I continue to work on my health as my #1 goal. Without further delay, let’s rock into the post.

silver imac displaying collage photos — Photo by Designecologist on Pexels.com

Internet – As the internet has been out much of the day, I am grateful for the internet and for the outage. Yes, that’s right! The outage forced me to clean up some files on my computer and now my writing files are much more tidy. I also found some poetry which is unpublished and organized those so I could start working on another project. Of course, no internet also means I can still write, just not online, so this may be delayed, but it will happen sooner or later. Did you miss me, yet?

2.
Tax Help – the IRS has made it possible for people in the gig economy to get help on the IRS website. Check it out:Gig Economy Tax Center

3.
Raleigh NC Bloggers – I attend a local blogging group and we had a large attendance last Saturday. It’s great to connect in person and discuss blogging tips. This is a fun group and I always have a few laughs.

4.
Safety – Given the chain of events internationally this past week, it had us all on our toes, but it looks like we can breathe. Grateful we have troops to make peace a priority.

5.
Physical Therapy – It’s helping to get help for my neck and back. Progress is being made and I have had 2 better days, thus far this week.

6.
Writing Friends – My friend came over today to write with me. While we did not have the internet, we were able to get things done. And we got to bounce ideas off each other. I love when I can get together with other writers. And we had lunch at my place. So, writing and food, how can you go wrong?

7.
News from Close Friends – My close friends in another state recently purchased and moved into a house. I am very excited for them to be able to settle down in their beautiful digs.

8.
Health – I continue to battle the bulge, but I believe I am back on the right track. The first months of the year are my toughest and I am doing my best to focus on positive outcomes.

9.
Daughter is coming to visit this weekend YAY!

10.
This last one is for you. What are you thankfuls? Would you like to share a post? Just go to the link and join in. It doesn’t have to be 10 things, that’s just a number. It can be one and be AOK.

Have a great week and remember that there’s always something to be thankful for.

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – January 3, 2020

January 3, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

january scrabble — Photo by Plush Design Studio on Pexels.com

It’s January! And 2020! WOW! We are ending a decade and holding hope and promise to this year. Before moving forward, let’s go back and review the week and find all the thankfuls. Would you like to join us? There’s a link at the bottom of this post and we would love more people to join us.

1. Weather! Oh My Goodness! Is it supposed to be Winter? You could have fooled me! Anytime I expect to see birds building nests. It’s hard to believe it is January. Last year, it was snowing in December and now I barely need a coat. I am going to enjoy it while it lasts.

2. Completed Projects – I finished a project, but I can’t share it just yet because it would spoil a surprise. I promise I will share it as soon as it’s done the proper surprising.

3. New Year’s Eve was lovely and my New Year looks promising. I also worked on projects and got a lot accomplished.

4. Art Studio – I was one of a group of one in the art studio at the older adult’s center, but that’s okay. I didn’t have a lack for workspace. I do hope others come because I enjoy the interactions. I did work on two pieces and drew out a third one for my book cover.

5.6.7. Neck Procedure went well. My good friend provided me with company and a ride and the opportunity to catch up over coffee before heading home. It’s a cauterization of the nerves in my neck. They did one side this time and will do the other side the next time. It was painful, but they did give me some calming down meds.

8. We had our last interpretation challenge this past week. I am sad to see it go away, but I understand. Here it the one I did: Eye of the Storm

blind-2