As most of you know, I am a writer. I have several books published including a sci-fi series writing with a co-author. My other book is a personal blog of my cancer/dating journey. I am now working on another project based on my life as a 'customer service' worked for way too many years at times. I would love it if you would share your stories with me, whether they be funny, heart-breaking, aggravating etc. I promise no names will be mentioned but somehow I will give you credit for your help with this book... COME ON... bring on the stories!

Feel free to send any stories that you wish to share to my email address: 

connieval52@gmail.com 

My move ... May/June 2015

Connie Valentine

May 25 at 7:40pm · 

Sleeping in my new apartment for the first time tonight. Thanks to Tim Wolfe, Danielle Bell, Ben, Danielle Mausteller and Nate Mausteller for moving the rest of my stuff today. I especially want to thank Tim for shouldering most of the work! I love you all thanks... SO SO SO much!

Top of Form

Like · Comment · Share

Connie Valentine

May 26 at 9:47pm · Lewisburg, PA · 

Second night in new apartment... so far, so good. I got some curtains up along with some blinds so I don't feel like I am on display for the neighbors. Thanks to Jennifer Wolfe Persun for helping with that.... she welded the drill and so forth. For her trouble, I made my first meal here with a visitor... creamy potato soup with ham. It was yummy... then a trip to Wal-Mart and home for a bath and bed!

 — feeling tired.

Top of Form

Like · Comment · Share

You added 4 new photos.

May 27 at 6:52pm · 

The apartment is shaping up! More and more empty boxes... two more days and back to work!

Top of Form

Like · Comment · Share

Bottom of Form

Connie Valentine

May 28 at 7:36pm · Lewisburg, PA · 

My fourth day/night in my new apartment had some interesting challenges. My first was an 'in and out' surgery for a cyst that acted up from moving and lifting. I am now off work -- no lifting -- except minor stuff until at least Wednesday. So, my wound is packed and will be unpacked tomorrow at the doctor's office. That kind of packing I DID NOT expect. I expected to be off work for maybe a day, but not the entire surgery deal... not my plan for my week off from work. After that... and a nap... I had supper at the Fence in Lewisburg with my parents and daughter, Jennifer Wolfe Persun. Now, I am at home and relaxing... as ordered by the doctor and my Mom

 — feeling sore.

Connie Valentine

May 29 at 8:17pm · Lewisburg, PA · 

Day/Night 5 in new place: My Drs. appt. went all right. I got unpacked and re-bandaged, sent home with a script for pain meds (wow... took one when I got home and it put me to sleep for about four hours), then I got up ... did a few minor chores (per Drs. orders), ate potato soup for supper, took shower (could use more water pressure), now I am sitting here writing this and drinking a cup of Passion Fruit tea.

A few good things about new apartment:
1. Things in freezer are frozen, things in refrigerator are NOT.
2. More room.
3. Nice view... so far, good neighbors (miss some that I left behind though).
4. Got more kitchen light than other place... MUCH more.
5. Stove works great by not burning or under cooking food... a huge plus!

So the moving/sorting and such of this move will be a slow chore with not being able to do much, but it will get done. I plan on finishing up at the other apartment this weekend, Monday at the latest. As long as I have some help, that won't be a problem... still no lifting. Then it is back to work on Wednesday...

Until then... good night everyone!

— feeling tired.

Connie Valentine

Just now · 

WELL, it is Saturday... I have been here 7 days including today. Yesterday was a fairly quiet day/night. I did a few odds and ends around the apartment... drs. orders and my Mom's too... hung a clock in the kitchen... mostly tinkered around with small stuff... folded and put away laundry etc. I also had my first visitor. It was nice to see him, thanks Carl Jones for stoppin' in on your way home.

Today, with the help of my daughter/Jen and her husband/Alec I want to get things finished in Danville. I will wait to see if they can make it later, if not I might have to make the trip myself and do what I can until I can get some help lifting things down to car and into new apartment. So wish me luck....

 — looking for a partner in crime.

PS -- to see pics... click on picture square and follow the link!

Bottom of Form

Bottom of Form

Depression Strikes Again! :"_(

March 10, 2015 … Tuesday, 6:30 pm

Depression is a funny thing…. No, not funny… it is painful and callous and never a good friend to you or anyone. It strikes even when you are feeling good about life, things are going your way and you still even on the worst days love your job …. the family you love is close by and healthy, your grandchildren are growing and healthy --  
Depression can sneak up on you -- and beat you over the head … like a huge 2 x 4 -- making such a ‘silent’ attack on you that even though you have been down that road before… you are shocked when you realize that once again ‘depression’ has you in its clutches… making you sad, tired, upset, worried, sick at heart and mind… deepening down to your very soul.

Can you stop it? Can you reach inside and remind yourself that you are strong, strong enough to beat this thing AGAIN.  It might take some help, but you can do it…. You remind yourself over and over that you have beat it before and more than likely will again… you beat it and have gone on with the life you deserve.  And… you do deserve it girl, you fought for it, you beat it and you won the right to be happy… to be yourself and above all -- not to be depressed to your very soul by letting this mean, unlikable entity invade your life and heart.

Where is this strength you wonder… right now… is it hiding within you… while you search for it – is it keeping you from seeing the ‘strong’ woman that you are even now when you are feeling so lost and alone. While you sit hoping that soon you will find it… because this person who is writing these words is not the person you want to be… you want to be that strong, silly… loving redhead with the attitude and ‘dry’ sense of humor that makes you a people person with a kind, silly and wonderful heart.

You will find her… if not today, tonight… tomorrow… for sure! 

Update: September 24, 2014 -- HAPPY FALL!

 

Hi! Everyone,

Well, it is one of my favorite times of year: Fall! I love the colors and the cooler weather. A bit of an update on my life:

• Almost two years at my job! Still loving it... most times!
• Grandson, Rickey doing well... a little over three months old and OMG.. what a cutie.
• Granddaughter doing well in college, working hard and DAMN ... I never see her! Call me! Send me a IM.. e-mail or a carrier pigeon note! :+_)
• Daughter and new hubby married almost a year... Congratulations you two... keep up the good work!
• Son doing well... working hard, a wonderful dad and a loving man... so so so proud of him!
• Giving an old love... a new try! Wish me/us luck!
• Parents still doing well for their age... I worry about them a lot, but try to stay positive when it comes to them.. after all, they are 80+
• Going on a cleaning and sorting vacation as I call it in October for a week of 16th - 23rd. Give me strength to clean out all the x-tra S*** that I have accumulated over the years. 
• Health-wise doing well... far as I know I am having no problems, other than a few aches and pains here and there.

Sites to find me at: 

• https://www.facebook.com/connievalentine2011
• http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=Connie+L+Valentine+&type=
• https://twitter.com/JohnnysGirl54
• http://www.amazon.com/My-Two-Blogs-One-Cancer-ebook/dp/B00H3YAT7K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1411565984&sr=8-4&keywords=Two+Blogs+in+One  (Book published almost a year ago!)

Well, that is my update for now... join any of my sites. I will reply! 

Connie

Update: August 19, 2014

Update: August 19, 2014

Been quite a while since I updated my blog... sorry about that, but just been busy. News in my life is as follows:

1. Cancer wise, all is well... last blood work was good. Still tire and confuse easily, but such is life. Remaining positive and fighting the good fight... 
2. New son-in-law, Alec -- last October 5th.... great guy!
3. New grandson, Rickey, June 11th of this year, a real cutie. My second grandchild, this one from my son, Tim and his girlfriend, Dani. Two wonderful step grand kids... love them too, real cuties. 
4. Grand-daughter (from daughter, Jen)  in college, working and doing well... far as I know. 
5. Job going well... still loving it! 
6. Still writing, working on a Romance/Mystery sort of book by myself... loving the writing of it. It will more than likely be a sequel as it is too long for just one book. 
7. Blogging book: http://www.scribd.com/book/187233978/My-Two-Blogs-in-One 
8. Blogging book available at:  http://www.junglee.com/My-Two-Blogs-One-Cancer-ebook/dp/B00H3YAT7K
9. Still single... working on that.. but so far, slow process. I wander where all the good men are... they sure are not in my line of sight!

All for now... promise to try and keep a better goal of writing more often in this blog. 

Take care everyone... xoxoxo   Connie 

http://www.amazon.com/My-Two-Blogs-One-Cancer/dp/1491809302/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385503056&sr=8-1&keywords=My+Two+Blogs+in+One

My book is out now: Go to website above.... Buy it, Read it!

July 26, 2013 Update...

         I was sitting here editing my blogs and decided that I should do another update before turning it into the publishers. As a part of that blogging experience, I am adding to my original blog as well. 

         As a writer, I could edit this book until the end of time. I am always finding things to add or change.  However, it is time to draw the line and get this task finished.

         As you can see by the picture on this page (just taken minutes ago), my hair has definitely grown back. I hate taking my own picture with my phone, but sadly, the cats cannot work it. Therefore, I either take it or have none at all. 

Sidetracked again… My hair is red (with a little help) curlier than ever, along with being as thick as it used to be… I would have preferred straight, but oh well… at least, I am not bald anymore.

            Work is going well! I have been there almost nine months now. I still like my job a great deal. I have learned a great deal, lessened my mistakes, and have met many nice people. I am still not great at the memory thing, but I am trying.  I still make mistakes, but less and less each time. I do think that most of that problem is due to my becoming too tired at times. I need to get my break on time, I think it is a definite help. Although, everyone I work with does a great job of keeping this in mind. I thank them!

As for the school/college online deal, well, that did not work out. I have all the financing that I could get, which means that I am in debt up to your eyeballs! K   I tried various places, but could not afford to pay it out of pocket. However, I am still writing and still working on this blog as well as a few other things. I am also thinking of bringing back the other story that I was writing with my co-author. However, his input would only be minor at this point. He is no longer interested in that aspect (romantic) of writing.

           The photo

to the left is from the front cover of the book I am talking about revisiting.  My co-author did do the graphics for this picture. He did a great job using my ideas to just the right amount of detail. If all goes well, look for this book in the future. Wish me luck!

            Health wise, I am doing fine. I have my check-up with my family doctor and all is well. I also lost some pounds, which TO ME is the best part of feeling better.  Therefore, as far as I know, the chemotherapy was a success and my future can only look brighter!

---

 [1] Graphic was done by Jon R. W. Tomas (Don’s writing alias) from our co-authored book series, “Softened Moon’s Glow

https://www.facebook.com/connievalentine2011