Tuesday Routines

by Jill Kemerer

I'm blessed to be the manager of our household. I stepped into this role years ago, and one of the first things I learned was I needed a system. It took me a long time to find the system that works for me. I'm not afraid to change it if it's no longer working. Let's face it, we all go through seasons of life where we're stretched thin financially and/or with too many things to do and not enough time.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Honestly, I often feel as if I have too many things to do and not enough time. I often wonder will I ever get it all done? I can't answer for you, but for me--no, I will never get it all done! I've accepted that!

Since today is Tuesday, I thought I'd share my Tuesday routine. First of all, I wake up and smile because Monday IS OVER. Yes! Since I loathe Mondays, I decided to jam all my big chores and errands into them so I can look forward to the rest of the week. Mondays mean making a meal list, grocery shopping, paying bills and doing laundry. Blech. But Tuesdays? Tuesdays I'm excited to work!

After waking up early and slipping into some workout clothes, I head downstairs to brew coffee and possibly load the dishwasher if we failed to do this the night before (confession time: we usually have dishes in the sink in the morning). Then it's an easy breakfast, Bible study and prayer. At 9am, I either do a 25 minute exercise DVD or I take a brisk 30 minute walk. When I'm finished, I change, fix my hair and throw on some makeup.

The next hour is usually spent on business/marketing things like creating my work to-do list for the day, checking email, posting to Facebook, Twitter, G+, etc... When that's finished, I either work (write, plot or edit) for an hour or take an early lunch. After lunch, I'm back in my office to tackle my most pressing to-do items.

At 3pm I usually take a break to talk to my kids when they get home from school. In the summer, I just grab a snack and keep working. If it's baseball season and my son has a game, I start making dinner at 3:30. Yes, it's ridiculous, but we won't be home until after 8pm, and I'm not cooking that late! Tonight we have game and it's an hour away, so I won't be cooking at all. We'll have Subway instead.

If there's nothing on the schedule, I tend to work until 5 or 5:30pm. Sometimes I get caught up in a project and work later, especially if I'm on deadline. The only work I do in the evenings is writing and scheduling blog posts or finding pins on Pinterest for my plotting boards, and I don't do that every night. It's important for me to have time for my family or to just chill out and read or watch television.

I love being blessed to work from home. The ability to make my own schedule? So, so fabulous! And Tuesdays are one of my favorite days of the week because I have a clear schedule to do what I love best--write!

Do you have a routine? Do you love Tuesdays?

Thanks for stopping by!

Jill Kemerer writes Christian romance novels with love, humor and faith for Harlequin Love Inspired. Jill loves coffee, M&Ms, fluffy animals, magazines and her hilarious family. Visit her website, jillkemerer.com, and connect with Jill on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for her Newsletter.

Permission to Rest

by Jill Kemerer

Lately I have been pushing through, getting things done, checking items off the list, and just grinding through my day. I'm a tad tired (maybe more than a tad!). And I know I'm not alone. Can you relate?

My daughter is graduating from high school in a few months. My son will be entering high school next year. Wasn't it yesterday I was crying as I packed up their size 2T clothes? Sending them off to preschool with a wave and a prayer? Watching their elementary school plays? Driving them to birthday parties and the zoo? Okay, now I'm getting teary again!

In a few months, life won't be as busy and I won't be as tired. At least that's what I tell myself. The reality is I will still be tired. July will be busy, too. And August. And every month after. You know how it is!

As much as I want to cram it all in, a voice in my head says, I can't keep up like this forever.

All year I've been studying devotional books on being enough, embracing vulnerability, and, yes, thriving. The messages have been sinking in. It's easy to get caught up in performance. Sometimes I attach too much value to what I'm accomplishing as opposed to who I am. It's one thing to say "I'm worthy." It's another to look at my peers--who seem to be superstars--and believe I am worthy.

Comparison is a major culprit. I see pictures on Facebook of beautiful homes, a beach vacation, a multi-book contract, a child going to a well-known university on a full-ride scholarship, another child's team winning the league championship, the adorable couple who just celebrated their happiest anniversary yet, and let's not forget the friends who donate tons of time and money to worthy charities. I try not to let myself, but often, I feel inadequate.

When I'm feeling weak, I tend to push harder to be better, but I only end up exhausted.

It's good to have goals and to strive for them. It's not good to be motivated by insecurity.

That's why I'm actively fighting the feelings of not-being-enough. I pray. I slow down. I pray some more. I realize this is an ongoing issue in my life, and I accept that.

Since being physically tired makes me more prone to insecurity, I give myself permission to rest. If insomnia bites me, I take a nap the next day. If I get a request (even one I would love to say yes to), I pray about it before automatically agreeing. I remind myself  that this is a season.We all struggle in areas of our lives, and that's okay. God loves us just as we are. He couldn't love us any more or any less than He does right now.

If that doesn't give me permission to rest, nothing will!

***

My new release, Her Small-Town Romance, is in stores now!

Finding Her Way Home 

Cozy Lake Endwell, Michigan, seems the perfect place for Jade Emerson's new T-shirt shop—and perhaps a fresh start. After a lifetime of letdowns, she is finally ready to face the future on her own. So when local wilderness guide Bryan Sheffield offers to help Jade overcome a past trauma, she warns him they will remain strictly business. But soon, with the help of Bryan's big, complicated family and a boisterous St. Bernard named Teeny, Jade's frozen heart begins to thaw. Now Jade wonders if she can return the favor, bringing a little happiness to a man who has long kept his own sorrow under wraps…

Purchase links, Pinterest Boards, discussion questions and reviews can be found HERE!

***

Are you tired? Do you give yourself permission to rest or are you hard on yourself?

Have a lovely day!!

A Winter Walk In the Forest

by Jill Kemerer

I'm a nature girl. No, I don't run marathons or climb mountains, but I love to be outside. This can be a problem during the winter. You see, the end of November in northern Ohio tends to be cold, and it only gets colder. The weather doesn't really grow warm until May.

Since I love the outdoors, I layer it up and go out EVEN WHEN IT'S FREEZING. I know! Brr... It's mind boggling! But being stuck inside for months will not do for this gal, so I bundle up and head to one of our gorgeous parks to walk--as long as it isn't single digits or icy.

I took this picture last year on one of my walks. A river is to the left. This scene looks completely different in spring and summer!

Here are some tidbits for anyone unaccustomed to cold winters.

The Hallmark Christmas movies? I love them--seriously love them. However, when they show people wearing coats with open collars revealing bare skin while it's snowing out, I cringe. If it's cold enough to be snowing, trust me, you zip that coat all the way up!

Another issue? If you step outside, you will see your breath. And your nose and cheeks will quickly grow pink from the air. Don't let the flawless faces on TV fool you!

Back to the topic...

Winter walks. In the forest. Right.

When I go to a park for a winter walk, I dress appropriately. If you're jogging or cross country skiing, you'd wear lighter layers because you work up a sweat. Since I'm just walking, my outfit usually consists of a few layers (long sleeve tee under a sweater and leggings under jeans), warm boots and my jacket, scarf, hat and gloves. I always stuff a few tissues in my pocket. The cold air bites, drawing tears from your eyes along with the sniffles.

This cardinal might not be visible in the summer, but you can't miss him in the winter!

Once I hit the trail I'm reminded why winter is special. It's quiet. No rustling of leaves, fewer birds chatting above. The busyness of the forest is less frantic. It's also pretty in a different way. Things hidden in the summer are visible without the leaves on bushes or trees. Brightly colored birds like cardinals and blue jays pop against the grays, browns and whites.

A winter walk in the forest is truly breathtaking.

Remind me to come back and read this post in three months when I can't stop whining about how long winter lasts!

What is winter like in your neck of the woods? Do you enjoy being outdoors or do you prefer snuggling up in a cozy blanket inside?

Have a wonderful day!

Backlist eBooks for $1.99

Hi Terri Reed here. So this is happening! The Craftie Ladies of Romance's publisher Harlequin is having a huge sale on select backlist ebooks. The discounted books will be available from November 10^th – November 17th at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Nook, Google and Kobo (US only).

A searchable list is available here on the Harlequin blog. 

Type in your favorite author and a list of their backlist sale books appears. 

Did you know…? 

• Harlequin started publishing eBooks in Oct 2005. 

• Harlequin was the 1st major publisher to make its complete front-list catalog available in the eBook format. 

• Harlequin was one of the 1st romance publishers to offer the eBook format. 

• Harlequin has published approximately 27,000 titles LTD. 

• Harlequin publishes eBooks in 16 languages, including major languages such as English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Japanese. 

• Romance is one of the most popular categories in digital publishing. 

And for some Christmas Cheer my newest release Murder Under the Mistletoe is out!  This is book 3 of the Northern Border Patrol series.  I'm working on book 5 now. Book 4 comes out in February.  

AGENT UNDERCOVER 

DEA agent Tyler Griffin must stop a drug cartel that's using an Idaho Christmas tree farm to smuggle narcotics across the Canadian border. But to do his job, Tyler needs the cooperation of farm owner and widowed mother Heather Larson-Randall—whose informant brother died on Tyler's watch. Tyler knows a crucial piece of evidence is hidden somewhere on the property. But getting the protective mother to trust him is the hardest part of his mission. As threats against Heather mount, he vows to keep her and her child safe…and clear the farm of danger before Christmas. 

Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the US-Canadian border safe.

School is upon us! How are you feeling about that? Dana Mentink here, and I have mixed emotions. As a third grade teacher, it's always exciting to take the plunge into the school year with a new bunch of eager kiddos. As a mom of two highschoolers, I have anxiety about the various ups and downs that await my two teen girls. As a writer, I face the disequilibrium of balancing two careers. As we trek into the unknown, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my five fave moments from summer vacation. 

1. Visiting Amish country in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Stepping back in time was never so sweet. I enjoyed every moment of touring Amish country and meeting folks who live a completely different life than my own. 

2. Reading! I crammed myself with every possible novel I could manage! 

3. Spending sweet moments with the family. A "go fish" card tournament and summer at the movies for the Mentinks! 

4.  Growing my garden. Having schlepped tomato seeds back from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello garden, I savored every moment of watching my Brandywine tomatoes come into ripeness. 

5.  Enjoying the break from the intense demands of teaching and those dreaded concerns about grades, homework and social dramas for my girls. 

What was your favorite moment from summer? 

Treacherous Slopes Interview

Today we're welcoming Julie Frost, the heroine of  Treacherous Slopes by Terri Reed from Love Inspired Suspense a February release will.  Wow, you've just had quite an adventure. 

1.  Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.   When I heard that Nick Walsh hometown hero and champion Ariel's ski jumper was returning home, I convinced my boss to let me interview him for our local lifestyle television magazine, Northwest Editions.  In the process of working with Nick on the show's segment, it became apparent that someone was trying to hurt Nick and knock him out of the competition for the upcoming Winter Games.

2.  So, during the book you met  Nick Walsh.  Tell us a bit about him.  Nick and I grew up in Bend.  I used to tutor Nick in high school. What was your first impression?  I'd always thought Nick was handsome and gregarious, but I was too shy and self-conscious to ever think I had a chance with him. When did you know it was love?  Somewhere between poisonous spiders, gunfire, and  watching him with kids, I fell hard.   

3.  What strengths/skills do you have?  I ask a lot of questions and am good at getting people to open up. What is your greatest weakness?  My lack of self-confidence.        

4.  What scares you?   Creepy crawly things which made finding spiders crawling on me that much worse.    

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would be more of a risk taker.

6.  Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?  I am a believer.

7.  Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?   My faith is stronger after what we endured.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story.  Tell us why this scripture is significant.   Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4

This Scripture helps me to remember to look for God in every situation and to give every aspect of my life to Him and have faith and trust and hope that He knows what's best for me.

    

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? I would be strawberry pie because strawberries are sweet and healthy. 

Her Secret Valentine part 2

Her Secret Valentine (A Craftie Ladies continuing Valentine Romance)

Today’s Installment by Terri Reed J

Nancy handed the list she’d complied to Shanna.  “That’s every guy I can think of who might—and I mean might with a big capital M--be interested enough to send me roses and candy.”

            And not just any candy.  Chocolate.  Good chocolate from one of her favorite chocolatiers.  Coincidence?

            “Ohhh, that’s a long list,” Shanna teased.  “A lot of frogs and no prince?”

Heat crept up Nancy’s neck.  “Its not that many.”

Shanna laughed.  “Maybe I’ll find my own secret admirer among these guys.”

            “You’re welcome to have this one.”  It wasn’t that Nancy was opposed to romance.  She hoped and prayed one day God would bring a man into her life.  A man willing to open his life fully to her.  A man not shy of commitment.  A man worth risking her heart on.

            She’d yet to find a man like that though she’d tried. 

After moving to Cupid’s Corner she’d joined the Christian Community Church’s singles group.  Amazing there were enough singles in a place with the name Cupid’s Corner to warrant a singles group.  But the beach community also brimmed with couples in love which gave her hope. 

            “What about Ted Spumoni?” Shanna pointed to his name on the list.  “Sweets are in his wheelhouse.”

            Ted owned the local ice cream parlor.  He did know she liked chocolate and gave her a free double scoop on a waffle cone whenever she stopped in.  She wasn’t sure he was the roses type, but who knew? 

They’d been paired on one outing to the bowling alley before Christmas.  Between the two of them they’d had more strikes than any other team.  He’d been fun and interesting and had asked for her phone number.  But he hadn’t called.    

Hmmm, maybe he was working up the nerve with the flowers and chocolate.

            Excitement trembled through her.   Looked like a trip to the ice cream parlor was on her agenda today.  

#

Coming in February

Killer Competition

A champion ski jumper, Nick Walsh wants one thing: to win the gold for his late brother.  Nick has always blamed himself for his family's tragic loss--and so does everyone else.  To complicate things, sweet and shy reporter Julie Frost insists on doing a story about him.  But as Nick gets closer to achieving his dream, someone will do anything to stop him. Somehow, Nick must keep Julie from getting too close as they confront a threat that can destroy them both.  Julie and Nick are on the verge of discovering the truth about his brother's death...unless an unknown murderer finds them first.

            

The Soldier's Sister Interview

Today we're welcoming Stephanie Upton, the heroine of The SOLDIER’S SISTER, by Debby Giusti, released in September 2013. Wow, you've just had quite an adventure. 

1.  Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I work at Fort Rickman, GA, in the US Army’s Wounded Warrior Program as the AW2 Advocate and help injured military personnel through their recuperation and rehabilitation. I stay with the guys and gals on my caseload until they no longer need assistance and are able to return to active duty or to civilian life. Unfortunately, one of my soldiers was attacked, and law enforcement was called in to investigate.

2.  So, during the book you met Brody Goodman.  Tell us a bit about him.  What was your first impression?  When did you know it was love?

Brody’s a Special Agent with the Criminal Investigation Division on post and although I was attracted to him, I was also a bit wary. From the questions he asked, I knew he thought my brother—a Wounded Warrior—was involved in something suspect.

When did I know it was love? Not until Brody started to reach out to my brother in a positive way. Then I was able to let down my guard and admit the way I felt about this very special Special Agent.    

3.  What strengths/skills do you have?  What is your greatest weakness?

I’m compassionate and caring, which helps me with my job. I was on my high school swim team and love the water.

My weakness? Perhaps not being able to forgive myself.

4.  What scares you? 

Even though I love the nearby lake, I also know the dangers associated with water. I never want anything to happen to someone I love due to my own negligence.   

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would have worked harder to resolve the past issues with my brother. All that pain festered for too long.

6.  Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?  

I didn’t believe God had listened to me in my time of greatest need so I turned my back on him. Of course, that was a mistake.

7.  Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? 

I realized God was always there for me. I was the one who isolated myself from him.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story.  Tell us why this scripture is significant.

My scripture is Psalms 34:3-4:

Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Those two lines explain the way I feel about the Lord. He delivered me, and I no longer have to be afraid.

    

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Being a Southern girl, I love pecan pie. Adding a little ice cream on top makes the dessert even better!