Well, here we are... one month away from a new year. Where has time gone?  Have you used your time wisely? Or are you like me, wasted a lot, was productive some, with a lot of room for improvement?

This year, as the past two, I've dealt with major health set backs that have affected my energy level...which affects everything else.  I've had to cut back on my writing, stop trying to run with the big dogs, and do a lot of self-care--hoping that will get me back to baseline, anyway. 

Thanksgiving is done...and the leftovers are nearly gone (froze the last of the turkey enchiladas today)...and soon the baking will commence.  I'm trying to decide exactly what will be made this year.

I know for sure I will be making lemon poppy seed biscotti...my younger son's favorite. Chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, fudge, and caramel corn are on the list as well.

Decorating is a not happening thing at my house. I tried it last year and it was an epic fail. I set out the artificial tree with no decorations, to see what Bou kitteh would do. She left it alone for the longest time, but her curiosity got the better of her and it was knocked over three times in one hour.  Needless to say, the tree went back in the closet!

If  you have a moment, please pop by the 12 Dates for Christmas fan page on Facebook.  I have a contest giveaway happening at the moment.  If you comment on my covers, you are eligible to win a signed paperback (US residents only) or both ebooks (if you are international or Canada.)

"It's only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away."
This is a line from the song Words, made popular by the BeeGees.

As a writer, public speaker, English lover...my life is filled with words. Some days there are some curse words interjected for good measure, because, face it...there are times when only those words will do.

​I write romance, relationships, conflict. I speak love, kindness, encouragement to MS warriors. I journal my deepest thoughts and feelings. All of this got me thinking...what about words? When you speak, do you say what you mean, or do you pacify the other person/s you are with by agreeing with them?  Do you stand your ground or do you fake your sentences, hoping the ones you are with latch on and see what you really mean? Are you a person who tends to speak first and chase after what you've said because it really wasn't what you wanted to say? What about those situation where you build someone up, lead them on, say things for your own agenda... only to tear them down behind their backs?

I've always been taught a person is only as good as his/her words, so you better make them good. Why lie? Why fabricate falsehoods with your speech that will never be? Why give hope to the hopeless in order to build up your own self esteem?

I've struggled lately putting words down, advancing my stories. And, I came to the realization that maybe, for this moment in time, I need to listen. I don't need to type, I don't need to speak, I don't need to create...I need to listen, and in listening, truly hear what is being said.

Pain is all around us. People are filled with fear and with loneliness. These alone cause stupid things to flow from our mouths. I encourage you in this season of Thanksgiving, and on this remembrance day for all our Veterans, please do a self-check on your own words before you speak, type, or text them. Be honest, with NO HIDDEN AGENDA! Be kind, compassionate, and speak to others the way you'd have them speak to you. It may save heartbreak of the other person you are communicating with, or your own .