Cancer - The Reason Why I Have Been Away

                                                     The Reason Why I Have Been Away

As you all know, I have not posted since March of this year. The reason being my husband was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, yes I said Breast Cancer. This is occurring more and more in men and even some young teen boys. I have my suspicion of why, but no real evidence, maybe the hormones injected into our meats, maybe the environment. I really can't say for sure, this is just my opinion. But I have been buying organic meats, eggs and other foods when I can to possibly prevent this from happening to my son, myself or other love ones. 

As my husband endures the evil of this disease, I realized that I knew nothing about what people who face Cancer experience. The surgeries, the chemo treatments, the medications, the way the disease takes over your life. The weight of dread hangs over your family. But then a ray of sunshine peeks through the stormy clouds, someone brings a meal to you, sends you a card, or someone tells you they are praying for you. You see God's love and grace shine in the faces of your love ones, friends and church family. His healing hand working through your doctors and nurses treating this awful disease. More importantly how God was at work this whole time. 

You see it was a blessing that my husband's disease was discovered, if you read my last blog from March you know I redecorated my house. During moving furniture, a drawer from the coffee table opened and caught a piece of my husband's chest in the drawer and when he moved the drawer closed  and mashed a place on his chest. He did have some pain, but we thought nothing of this and assumed he would probably end up with a bruise in the spot. Well after some weeks of it not healing, we were still unalarmed about the spot. Then after approximately five weeks, my husband woke up one Sunday morning and could not walk.  He said, (don't laugh) his big toe was in severe pain and he could not walk. So this forced him to go to a doctor, (not our regular doctor) but a doctor that worked at a walk-in facility. This doctor, whom I will ever be grateful, looked at the mass on his chest and encouraged my husband to see a surgeon in a couple of weeks if it had not gone away. After seeing the surgeon, within a week surgery was performed and the mass was removed, followed by a mastectomy, then a port. Then we saw an oncologist for Stage II Cancer.

But what I am getting at, is we believe that God was in control. A certain doctor, pain for only one day,  God put my husband's healing into motion. If he had not had this pain and gone to this doctor, we might have never discovered this cancer until it was too late. So yes, this was a blessing. My husband is cancer free yet still receiving chemo treatments as a precautionary measure. But, he is going to be fine. The side effects he endures is just temporary and we sometimes have to remind ourselves of this. I am so thankful to the Lord for his love and healing that he has shown us during this time.  Yes, I believe God performs miracles.

Blame It On Fixer Upper's, Joanna Gaines.

I was perfectly fine in my own little corner of the world with my dark, cherry wood coffee table and end tables that I have had for several years.  My chestnut wood lamps and my burgundy color rug and curtains. The pillows with dashes of gold and wine fabric that provided comfort for a sleepy head. The scarlet color candles that sat proudly in my slightly, aged candleholders, the gilded tones painted walls. The pictures that hung showcasing my home colors of gold with variations of red throughout. Yes, I was completely satisfied with my home. But then one day HGTV showed a marathon on a show called, "Fixer Upper." I sat on my couch fully immersed with the young couple that took old homes and converted them to dream homes fully furnished and decorated.  However, it wasn't so much the transformation of the home as it was the way Joanna Gaines decorated the house. The cool tones, the antiques, the signs, painted kitchen cabinets, open shelving, oh my, I'm hooked. So there it began my quest to redecorate my home. Gone are my heavy tables, which my husband has an injury to show for it. Gone are the dark lamps, the curtains, the rug, the candles. There it is an empty room. "Oh my goodness this is gonna cost a fortune," my husband states. Gradually, things appeared as I would spend my weekends shopping for just the perfect picture, mirror, antiques and tables. Linen, beige curtains hang proudly where the once dark burgundy and gold curtains hung. Taupe candleholders with cream candles now shown brightly. A whitewashed coffee table now gladly sits in its noble position. White and cream throws are placed meticulously on the arms of the recliner and loveseat. Yes, I have been converted. My living room, the dining room are so much brighter and I love it. Who knew that a little show could convert me from dark tone woods to a light tone girl. So thank you, Joanna Gaines. In this world overrunning with sadness, evil and darkness, we all could use a little brightness in it.

WELCOME NOVEMBER AND A BOOK SIGNING

November is one of my favorite times of the year. The fall scenery is just breathtaking in my little piece of this world. But this November holds a first for me, a book signing. Am I a little nervous?  Yes. Questions whirl in my mind. What if no one shows up?  Suppose I can't remember how to spell anyone's name, (I have been know to forget what I was doing as I was doing it.)  Having a book signing is stepping out of my comfort zone. I have decided that I will persevere and make it through this new adventure of signing my John Hancock to a book.  Except now, I wished I had used a shorter name.



I will be signing books in Trussville, AL on Saturday, November 21st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heavenly Handmade Treasures Event. Located at 6644 Roper Road at Trussville Southside Baptist Church. For additional information go to Heavenly Handmade Treasures Event on Facebook.

Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone

Hello everyone, it's been a while. After taking a long break this summer, I have came back to my monthly blogging refreshed and ready to write. Following a last minute trip to the mountains of Tennessee, I am finally ready to embrace fall. The trip also made me grasp the need to go out of my comfort zone. While I have always been shy, I realize that I have never been an adventurous person, always playing everything safe or refusing to step out of my desired zone. After witnessing this from my son, who is even shyer than myself, I decided that he and I needed a push to socialize more. So starting this week, we're both going to step out of our cocoons and see what the world brings us. Who knows, we might even become mountain climbers.

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE SPRING

What a long winter, we have been plagued by walking pneumonia, the flu and bronchitis the last few months that curtailed my goals. But now I feel wonderful and thankful that the winter months have passed and the sleeping spring flowers have finally woken. The sunshine has revived me. I have lost fourteen pounds and will continue on the desired path of losing more. I must confess my house, became some what of a mess while we struggled with various illnesses, but now I am eager to get back to organizing and redoing my closets. So remember if you have any setbacks on your New Year's goals, it's okay.  Just pick up where you left off and continue forward.

A Time To Start Over

Well, well, January is here, my least favorite month of the year.  I'm not a fan of wintertime anyway and all the sickness that comes along with the winter month makes me cringe. But January is also a time to start over, a time to set new goals for your life.

So on this first day of January, I'm setting myself some new goals. To get healthy, I've lost six pounds recently in a month by eating healthy and every 3-4 hours. This is supposed to keep your metabolism up. So I will continue this January and see if I lose some additional weight. Second, to memorize a Bible verse every month. Third, to exercise at least three times a week. Fourth, to study some grammar techniques to help with my writing. Finally the last goal is to try to organize more of my house.

Now the hard part, putting each of the goals into action. Wish me luck.

Tell me in the comments below what your goals are for the new year?

So as I end this blog, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope everyone has good health, happiness, and God's blessings for the next year.


Be sure to follow me on Facebook. Link is on the side.
Twitter @KJacksonAuthor

A New Book Release for December - The Christmas Journal

Hello everyone. Sorry about the late post. I have been busy this month with shopping, decorating and editing my new Christmas book release, The Christmas Journal. The Christmas Journal is an inspirational novella, available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble for 99 cents.

Ashley Moore's life forever changed the day her mother
died, and she was sent to live with relatives. Now, ten
years later, Ashley returns home, hoping to connect with her estranged father.  When she learns he's decided to reopen the family's Christmas lodge for the upcoming holiday season, Ashley volunteers to help. While cleaning, she discovers her mother's journal detailing the last month of her life. Will
the book hold the answer as to why her dad sent her
away? Who is the mysterious Adam her mother keeps
mentioning in the diary? Can the words of her mother
reconcile father and daughter in time for Christmas?

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY?

          With Halloween over and Thanksgiving within a few weeks, I thought about the fact that  Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all arrive within a month of each other. It's as if you get the decorations for one holiday up, and it is time to remove them for another.
          So I wondered of the three holidays, which one do you like best? Do you decorate for each holiday or just one or two?
          I decorate in September for fall, which I include as Thanksgiving. Then I turn the house into a  showcase for Christmas.  Since my son is older, I have packed up the Winnie The Pooh and Tigger pumpkin lights, along with other Halloween favorites for good.
          I suppose my favorite holiday is Christmas, but I have to admit I love the colors associated with Thanksgiving and its usually stress free day for me and my family. So I guess I favor both holidays, being thankful and celebrating the Lord's birthday what could be better.

Does Anyone Still Go Trick or Treating?

As I was out shopping the other day, I noticed the appearance of costumes, pumpkins, and fall decor. The all important halloween candy placed proudly in front, staring at me, actually tempting me to place it in the shopping cart. Costumes were hung nearby with pumpkin totes ready to assume their duty and hold the all the gatherings for the night. But, I have noticed a huge decline in the number of kids that actually go door to door, a.k.a. trick or treating. Last year, I had not one little goblin, star trooper, or little pumpkin show up. Of course, I realize the danger now facing kids going from house to house. The possibility of someone harming your child is very real and that is sad. The fun I had growing up can never be replicated. The excitement of spending a couple of hours walking the adjoining neighborhood for candy is no more. The task of making sure you were back in time to watch It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is not important to kids now. If I missed it, I knew it would be an entire year again before I could see it again. With DVDs and DVR, kids have at their fingertips anytime, shows we cried if we missed. I have to admit I still watch Charlie Brown every time it is televised. The holidays are just not the same without it.

September Has Two Holidays

Beside the all important holiday of Labor Day, the month of September has another holiday that will surprise you. Yes, September 14th is Hug Your Hound Day. I was asked by the very talented and bestselling author, Jayna Morrow, to give my interpretation of this holiday. Truthfully, I had no idea the holiday even existed, but I should have. Dogs have become more than just animals we walk or pet when we go out the door. They have become members of our families, children to some people, even accessories to some celebrities. The holiday has become more popular, even getting it's own Facebook page. Hug your hound day is about loving and getting involved in your dog's surroundings, for example volunteering at the local dog park. Speaking for myself, it means to show love to your dog, a special treat, a nice walk, and most importantly hugging man's best friend. If you think about it, dogs aren't much different than their owners. We all need a hug every once in a while.


Jayna Morrow is the author of the Sweet Home Series: Garrett, Gabriel and Holden. All available from Amazon and Barnes and Nobel.

July - Summer is Here

Well, it has been an extremely stressful and busy couple of months-hence my not posting the last few months. My niece, who is like my child, had major surgery and still is in the recovery phase. My sister-in-law has been diagnosed with MS and another sister-in-law has had a cancer scare. My mother broke her foot and yes I want to leave town! But now July is here and it is like I inhaled a deep breath of sunshine. School will be over for at least another six weeks. Vacation is near, I can hear the sandy beaches calling my name.

On a positive note, I did finish my book, The Christmas Diary, and I am now in the process of reviewing it before I send it to the publisher.

As for the update on weight loss, I have not even stepped on the scale. I am a stress eater and I have eaten my weight in stress the past couple of months. But I am determined to take this set back, regroup and continue on this journey. Wish me luck.

Also, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful 4th of July holiday! I am so thankful for this country.  May everyone have a safe and blessed day.

Update For The Last Month - Weight Loss, Organizing and Writing.

Well February hit with a bang, a combination of snow/ice kept this Southern family unable to drive anywhere on several different occasions during the month. The dreariness of the months of January and February are not the most motivational scenes to get me up and exercising. But, I did get one workout a week in for the past four weeks. Also, I managed to clean out and organize my coffee table and end tables. I managed also to work on my novella, The Christmas Diary, for a few weekends during the month.

Now for the worst part, my weight update. I have lost (drumroll please) 5 lbs. Yes, a whopping five pound weight loss. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful. I know it takes time, and truthfully, I really didn't start the diet part till the second week of February. The weight loss did encourage me to kept going, so that I will.  So that is my update for now. I hope by the end of March I will be able to report more progress in this slow evolution of losing weight.

                        PRISM BOOK GROUP WRITER'S 2014 GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS.


To celebrate Jacqueline D. Hopper's 100,000 blog views, Prism Book Group is having a blog hop.

My writing goal is trying to get into the habit of writing for a couple of hours a day at least three times a week.  Currently, I am writing another short story entitled, The Christmas Diary, which I hope will be published by the next holiday season.



Here's the code for the Rafflecopter. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prizes include: Book Lovers Gift Pack from Prism Book Group! Includes a print copy of Sarah: Mission of Love by Gay N. Lewis, a print copy of The Last Detail by Lisa J Lickel, and three Prism eBook downloads of choice!

MY JOURNEY AND GOALS FOR 2014

I have never been one to have New Year Resolutions, but this year I have decided to make three important resolutions for myself.

After years of "going to lose weight," I have decided to finally dedicate myself to the goal of losing weight. I have read that it takes three weeks of doing something before it becomes a habit. So I will do my best over the next three weeks to exercise and watch what I eat. With that said, goal number one, lose weight. I plan to post monthly progress updates.

My next goal is to hopefully have another novella published that I am currently working on for the next Christmas season.  And as an added bonus, I plan to make time to have some book signings also during the holidays.

The next and finally goal is to organize every drawer and closet that I have in my house.

So if you are in for a weight loss journey and organizational skills put to the test, be sure to check back monthly for my progress updates.

Two new ebook releases for the Christmas Season - A Christmas Gift For Mary Jones and Christmas Blessings.  

Mary Jones is recently widowed and lonely…very lonely. Although the people of the small town of River Oak, Tennessee, call her Grandmother Jones with much affection, Mary yearns for the family she was never blessed with. 

When a stranger named Teresa appears on her doorstep with her four-year-old child, claiming to be the daughter of her deceased husband, Mary’s world is forever changed. 

Even though Mary suspects Teresa is hiding a terrible secret, she takes her newfound stepdaughter underwing, determined to help her. Soon, the young woman garners the attention of Tom, the single and very handsome sheriff of the town, and Mary can’t help but play matchmaker. 

When Teresa’s daughter is kidnapped by her dangerous ex-husband, Mary and Teresa are forced to rely on the young sheriff, each other, and more importantly, God. Will Teresa’s daughter be rescued? Will Mary receive a special Christmas gift this year—the one thing she has always wanted in her life? 

A Christmas Gift for Mary Jones is an inspirational story of faith, family, and love. 

Christmas Blessings available in print. Contains former #1 Amazon Best Selling in Short Story - The Christmas Answer.

For the true magic of Christmas cannot be found in a wrapped gift under the tree... 

Three touching stories of Christmas blessings to warm the heart, including: 

Three Gifts 

On Christmas morning, Jack receives three precious gifts of the heart, three gifts that open his eyes to the tender grace of true love. 

The Christmas Answer 

When Donna volunteers on a mission trip, she is forced to reexamine her life, her marriage, and most importantly, her faith. Donna soon discovers the one thing she had been missing all her life. 

A Sharecropper Christmas 

The Great Depression left the Shoemaker family hungry and homeless. Alice makes the best of the hard times without complaint, 
though she dreams of giving her little family a special Christmas. 

Note: The Christmas stories contained in this anthology are each published separately as novellas. We are offering them as a bundle book for readers who would like a deal on all three, or to have them in print.

November Beauty

     There is nothing like taking a drive in the fall and admiring the beauty that God created around us.

The Season Is Changing

Welcome Autumn as red, orange, and gold colors creep slowly along the trees alerting us to the changes that are ahead of us. Pumpkins will be decorated by families and lit to show little ghosts and goblins the way to candy delights. Mums will bring beauty to our porches. While the leaves crunch under our feet as we walk in the boots that we wear for fashion as well as warmth.
Sweaters will be brought out of storage. Quilts will be placed on beds, the season is changing and I love it.



Be sure to like my Facebook page, Kimberly B Jackson, Author for future announcements of upcoming projects.

PRISM'S BIRTHDAY BLOG HOP

The winner is: Annalisa. Thanks to everyone who entered my contest. 

Annalisa, I will be in touch with you by email later today. Thanks and congratulations.


Contest Is Closed

Welcome,                        

Prism Book Group authors are listing some of their favorite recipes along with give aways in celebration of Prism's birthday. 


TO BE ENTERED TO WIN THE $100 GIFT CARD FROM PRISM, PLEASE SIGN UP WITH THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW.

                   
 I will be giving away a $10.00 gift card from Amazon. To register, leave a comment below with your name and email address.    (Contest closed)          


Also be sure to like my Facebook page: Kimberly B Jackson, Author

                                            DREAMSICLE-POPSICLE ORANGE CAKE

1 box Duncan Hines orange cake mix
1 (3 oz.) box of orange jello
1/3 cup of oil
3 eggs
1 7-Up Soda
1 tsp. orange flavoring

Mix all ingredients together and beat until well mixed. Bake at 350 degrees for around 25 - 35 minutes until cake is done.


TOPPING:

8 oz. cream cheese
1 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
1/3 cup of orange juice
8 oz. Cool Whip
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

Beat cream cheese until smooth & creamy. Add sugar. Add orange juice slowly. (If consistency becomes too thin, all of orange juice may not be needed.) Add vanilla flavoring. Fold in Cool Whip. Mix and frost cooled cake.

***Follow the blog hop for other great prizes, fun, and recipes!***

                     

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Book Review for September: Sarah: Laney's Angel

Sarah: Laney's Angel  (No. 2 in series)

Author: Gay N Lewis

Publisher: Prism Book Group

Sara, a slightly clumsy angel who has a reputation for blunders receives a new assignment from heaven.  Her mission, help along a romance for the beautiful Laney Taylor.

When the directionally impaired angel travels to the wrong city, her assignment at the time is being rescued from an intruder, by her handsome boss Cannon Carlson.

Laney is attracted to Cannon, but does not believe in mixing business with pleasure. When a series of  "accidents"  seem to follow Laney, Cannon becomes concern for her safety.

Cannon doesn't realize that Laney has Tomas, the warrior angel, watching over her. Sarah must not get in the warrior angel's way and work to bring Laney and Cannon together as a couple.

Who is trying to harm Laney? Will Sarah be able to accomplish her mission of bringing romance to Laney and Cannon?

This book surprised me at the end of who was trying to harm Laney.  Laney's Angel is the second in a series and can be read out of order.  The book offers some laugh out loud moments as well as being touching and surprising at times.

Enjoying the month of August

                                               

     August,a month of change. As summer ends, school resumes and 
the last of family vacations are speedily taken. The gardens finish their jobs of suppling fresh vegetables while the flowers showcase their last weeks of beauty. Yes, August is the end of summer, my favorite time of year, but it also ushers in the beauty of fall.