… a lot. The life of this author has been BUSY and not with writing. LOL
In case you didn’t notice, I’ve been absent for the last few months. I knew the summer would be BUSY, and I wouldn’t have the time to think, much less write blogs of any substance.
<<< This happened. 
That’s my son and his beautiful new bride.
I never imagined any of my kids would marry anyone of a different color, but he has always surprised me. And before you stop reading, it’s not because I’m racist or a bigot (had to make sure I was redundant here and I wasn’t). It just never crossed my mind. I LOVE my new daughter-in-love as if she were my own. And, no, it doesn’t bother me that she’s black (her preference of description). She has a beautiful heart. She loves God. And she loves my son. That’s all I care about.
As Mom of the groom, I had the responsibility of planning the rehearsal dinner, which turned out to be less of a big deal than I expected, but as I prepared, I was stressed. Thirty-eight people were expected to show up to my HOUSE!!! While only about thirty wound up coming, I still had to prepare places for those people to sit. I have a big house (by necessity—remember, I raised seven kids here). I borrowed chairs and bought two six-foot folding tables to accommodate everyone. It turned out wonderfully, after I chilled about having everything perfect. :D (Get thee behind me, perfectionist!)
before
In addition to the wedding, I am redoing one of the bedrooms in our home (formerly the above son’s bedroom) into an office. It’s right off my kitchen and convenient to all that I do. Here are the before and primed pictures. My husband has to fix a few things before I can paint. I’ve chose a medium teal color for the walls. I have
primed
ALMOST decided to paint one of them gray/silver, but haven’t completely decided yet. :) The attached bathroom and small walk-in closet will be a medium gray.
I haven’t completely decided on the flooring yet, but I’m trying to talk my husband into a grayish wood-type flooring. The biggest issue is that the bathroom is tile and the kitchen is hardwood (real), and concrete is under the current carpet.
This is also happening:
I forgot to take a before picture. This used to be a flower bed with LARGE hedges lining both walls except right in front of the window. The window leads into my eat-in kitchen.
The fire pit used to be farther out in my yard (like forever away). In the pic, I’m standing on the patio that leads into my family room. Just past the deck is another slab of concrete—I mean patio—that leads out of our mudroom (I think it was designed to be a Jack-n-Jill bedroom to my new office, but NEVER used as such) and to our pool.
We rarely used the fire pit before, so I decided that I’d like it closer to the house, hoping that the money I spent on it would actually be well spent if it were closer. My newly married son worked for a landscaping company for a while and conveniently forgot to glue said fire pit together when it was originally put in. We relocated it with ease, and he was kind enough to come out and reassemble it and glue it together. Our plan is to put benches along both walls (under the windows). It’s hard to tell from the picture, but this deck is pretty big—16×18. The four-foot fire pit looks tiny comparably.
Next week, my youngest daughter moves away to college. It’s only an hour and a half, but it seems like … I don’t know … half way around the world. ;) I can’t believe I’m old enough to have five grown children. Wasn’t it just yesterday when I struggled to go to the bathroom alone, and they needed me? <tears>
And lest you think my life is all about change and chaos, we’re also going on a cruise this month. I wish I could say it’s the whole family, but it’s not. The two oldest are unable to go. But the youngest five of my kids are all going. Not that I’ll see them much—except at dinner. Still, it’s something. And they’re stuck with me for a week. :D I hope to spend a lot of time writing/editing, but I’m not going to stress about it.
And talking about my writing …
My goal for 2018 was to release six new books. I highly doubt that will happen, but I hope to get four out before the end of the year. Two will be Christmas (CCR*) novellas, releasing in separate boxed sets (I know I’m crazy). I also plan to release the non-fiction I had planned to release in February. In addition to that, I have a series idea (also CCR), and I hope to get the first book ready and released soon. If not by December, then definitely EARLY next year. Please connect with me at my website for up-to-date announcements (either through my blog or my newsletter—both signups are at the bottom of my home page). *CCR=contemporary Christian romance
So there’s my summer in a nutshell. I hope I haven’t bored you too much. ;)
Many blessings,
Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly). She writes or reads inspirational romance of any genre. Even when she’s busy homeschooling, doing laundry, or fixing dinner, reading or writing are not far from her mind. She is president of her local writing group, and blogs regularly for InspyRomance.com and at gingersolomon.com.
Hi Ginger, wow you have certainly been busy:) Thanks for sharing a wedding photo, your son and daughter-in-law look beautiful:) My boys are 8 and 10 and I cannot imagine them meeting someone/getting married, but I imagine that when they do, I will look back on now and think how fast that time went!!
Looking forward to reading your new stories when they come,
Blessings:)
Hi Ginger! Wow what an inspiring year. Thanks for sharing. God is good. Best wishes and Happy Writing.
You have been busy!
In the moment, the days seem endless, but as I look back (now that I have two sons married), it seems momentary. I urge you to enjoy every moment. I am glad to say that I did, for the most part. I think that’s what makes it harder for me. I was Mom, Teacher, Nurse, and so much more. We were together (for the ones that’ve left) 24/7/365 except for a few hours here and there. Now that only two remain “in school” and both are in high school, my time is more my own, but I think I managed to get more done when I had them all under foot. I HAD to be organized. :D
Thanks, Renate. God is good… ALL the time.
I’ll be glad when it’s a little less busy. I’m about busy’ied out. :D
Wow what a month. Congrats on your son and new daughter n law. Such a wonderful picture. I like your new room to be. I have gotten into two colors on the walls. It seems to add dimension and happiness. God is so good when we stay with Him. Have a wonderful rest of the summer.
Hi Ginger, and you have been busy! Congrats to your son and his wife on their wedding. I love weddings. :) Hope the rest of your summer is a bit less busy for you.
Whew you have been busy! It’s great to catch up with your life. Have fun on the cruise.
You HAVE been busy!! Congrats on gaining a new daughter, the photo is lovely!!
Thanks.
Did you do two walls one color and two walls another or three and one? I am having a hard time deciding. ;)
Thanks, Kimberly.
Thank you.
Thanks, Andrea. After mid August, I think I can rest. Oh, wait, nope. I’m helping to put together a Christmas boxed set. It’ll be edit time by then. LOL
Dear Ginger,
Congratulations and Best Wishes to the Happy Couple.
You’ve been busy that’s for sure. Reading your newsletter made me tired.
God’s Blessings to You & Yours,
Oh my goodness you’re busy! I love the idea of your teal walls. I wish I could be a fly on one to see exactly how an author puts out 6 books in a year. For goodness sake!
Beautiful bride your son has and a welcome addition to the family I’m sure!
Wow! You have definitely been busy. I hope you enjoy your cruise.
Doing it made me tired, but one step at a time, it is getting done. :)
How does an author put out 6 books in a year?
1) writes quickly
2) writes a lot
3) writes short books
The key to all of that is to actually write. LOL
Thanks, Jessica.
The wedding picture is gorgeous, I’m so happy you got an office out of the deal, and the deck rocks. Your new office reminds me of when I was about to get married. The day before the wedding, I took the bulk of my clothes and shoes to our soon to be house. When I got back home, my mom had already moved her winter clothes into my closet.
Thanks for the laugh, Shannon. Alas the closet is still empty, and the wedding was almost four weeks ago.
He knew though. I’d told him for YEARS that his bedroom would become my office when he moved out. :)
Congratulations!!
Thanks.