Twitter Tweet

I have been active on FaceBook (dual accounts - one page for work, one page for personal/family fun) but have stayed away from Twitter.

Recently, that changed. Work is requiring us to start "tweeting" while we work.
Needless to say, we've been getting immersed in social media workshops/requirements, etc.

I had to jump in - and am hoping to make a little bit of a splash with it.

Not totally sure about it - but I'm getting my feet wet. I'm on day 7 -- have made more than 15 tweets (that's more than two a day) - follow more than 100 people - and, interesting for me - have 26 followers.

So, I'm officially twitting. All professional tweets - writing, articles, and eventually - updates on my novel - called for now 'September Skies' - but I will change that when I finish my novel. I have a few titles in mind but want to keep that to myself for now.

If anyone wants to find me on twitter - you can do so at: avila_recorder

Change of dreams

It looks like I will not be making my little get-away room behind my home.

I was totally ready to invest in it and make it a precious writer's getaway but had to re-think things. Turns out my mom is getting weaker and I am now concentrating on another "get away" -- building a studio at her home so that I would have a place to stay when I care for her.
I could not afford to do both, so my little writers paradise will wait.

Of course, I'm still excited about the studio -- and I will incorporate a lot of what I had planned for the cottage -- white wrought iron bed, small wicker furniture sitting area - plants and flowers - and lots of book cases with all my favorite books.
What I want is a retreat - for myself - or whomever might be able to stay there on the days I can't. -- all a dream for now, of course.

But that's ok. I live on dreams.

Summer Cottage Dreams

When I first moved into my home 18 years ago, there was a small shack in the back yard that I converted into a playhouse for my three little girls. The room had a lot of shelves where tools and who knows what once were - I used it to display/hold dolls and toys. A small table and chairs, "kitchen" area and "sitting" area were added and the rustic little play house was created.

As the girls grew, the little playhouse turned into a very-rustic guestroom. With time, it eventually became a store room.
And now, it's filled with who knows what - everything from Christmas decorations to a lot of miscellaneous everything.

That will soon change. This summer, the girls promised to help me transform that little room into my own pretty little cottage. And with my beautiful 'Morning Glory' growing everywhere, I plan on helping the vine over to the "cottage" - that should make it really pretty.

I am very excited and have so many plans for it. I want to keep it rustic but do plan on adding simple white paneling that I can paint a very light color - mint or cream or kiss of yellow - to cover the dozens of pieces of sheetrock that cover that place.

The floor is not straight but I just plan on putting a large thick plywood and cover it with an indoor/outdoor carpet.

I've been collecting white wrought iron things - an antique bed, frames, candleholders, and bird cage to add to my little room. A wing-tip chair, floor lamp and desk armoire should finish my little vintage room.

I've seen it in my mind for years and now finally I am ready to do it. I plan on taking photos along the way. Here's a few so you can see what I'm working with. Notice the room full of boxes?

That's me. A dreamer - I do it a lot. It keeps me going.

I plan to read and write and dream out there - and add it to my other favorite things about my home - enjoying a cup of coffee on my front porch, hanging out in my tiny little back yard and playing with my doggies and enjoying my rose garden and waterfall pond.

The Morning Side of the Mountain

For years and years, my life has been lonely. Yes, I have my three girls - and they keep me very busy - and I have my momma and a handicapped sister - who also keep me busy -- and I have a job I love more than almost anything. Sometimes it seems overwhelming - juggling it all - 3 girls, including one who is Down Syndrome, my elderly mom, a handicapped sister, dozens of medical appointments, and work. But this is my life. This will always be my life.

Honestly, work - and reading books - keeps me going. I read a lot. I love books. If I am not working, with family, or sleeping, I am reading. And at work I talk to people - lots of people - and I laugh and love what I do. But every single day, I see couples and wonder about the love they appear to have for each other. It kind of fascinates me. I envy it a little - ok, I know it's wrong, sometimes I envy it a lot - but I have accepted that it will never happen to me. I am too busy. I do not have anything left to offer anyone. Still, I wonder.....

When I was younger, there was one Donny Osmond song I always hated. Maybe hate is too strong a word - but the song was a sad one and I didn't understand why they would sing about something that never happened. I did not like it. It made no sense to me. Now it does. Such a sad song......

There was a girl, there was a boy. 

If they had met they might have found a world of joy.

But he lived on the morning side of the mountain

And she lived on the twilight side of the hill.

They never met, they never kissed.

They will never know what happiness they've missed.

'Cause he lived on the morning side of the mountain,

And she lived on the twilight side of the hill.

What if my love is on the other side of the mountain? What if he is really out there? No. It doesn't matter. I will never love again. My life is preordained. This is my Cross to carry. I am to take care of my daughter, I am to take care of my mom, and I am to take care of my handicapped sister - forever. That's all I know. That's all I have. I have nothing to offer. I have nothing to give. Who wants that? It would not be fair to that person. So, I will just work and take care of my family. That is all.

And when I feel lonely, I will cry myself to sleep. By morning, things will always be better and I will always be busy - so I will forget about everything - until it is time to drive home - then it will hit me again. It's ok. I get 45 minutes to get it out of my system. Then I will put on my smile again, greet my girls, and do what I need to do until it is time for bed.