So, I'm pretty excited!

Yesterday, I went to our post office box and picked up the mail.  There was nothing particularly unusual about that, as I do that all the time.  It was what was in the mail yesterday that was unusual and amazing.  When I saw the plain white envelope, addressed to me in my own handwriting and the postmark of Seattle, Washington -- well, I got excited, nervous and just plain scared -- all at the same time.  I knew it was one of two things.  It was either a rejection or an acceptance letter from Woman's World Magazine.  I said to my daugther, "I'm not sure I can open it." 

She said, "If you won't, I will."

And since I'm the mom and all grown-up, I replied, "No!  It's mine.  I'm going to open it." 

I slipped my finger under the envelope flap and -- who am I kidding? -- I RIPPED it open.  I was excited and scared. Hands shaking, I opened the three pages and began to read the first line. What?  I read it again.  Gasp!  I can hardly believe it.  They accepted my first romantic fiction short.  My hands began to shake so badly that I could hardly read the type.  Talk about a couple of squealing girls.  If our dog, Buddy, who was in the car with us, wasn't already mostly deaf, he would have soon been with all our noise. 

My daughter was grinning up a storm as I kept repeating "Thank you, Jesus!  Thank you, Jesus!"  She was so thrilled for me. "Mom, I'm so happy for you."  Awww.  I called my hubby and said his name three times before I could get out that I'd received the contract.   Sigh.  It was a great day.

Disclaimer:  So, a friend said I needed to take a picture while signing my first contract and blog about it.  I never thought of taking a picture.   So, corny as it may be .... here I am signing my first ever contract -- for a romantic fiction short with Woman's World.   I really don't take a good picture. So Delia, you have to realize how much you mean to me.   I'm doing this willingly (with trepidation) for you. 

Thank you, dear blogger friends, for putting up with my absence during my illnesses this winter and for being faithful followers anyway.  

Be blessed!
Susan

I have answers!

I'm so sorry it's been so long since I've blogged.  It's been a terribly rough winter in the illness department this year for me, but things are looking up.  Praise God! 

 I want to thank everyone for praying for me and share the scoop on the results of my recent tests.  The doctor felt that my respiratory and sinus issues were related to allergies causing all the uproar.  So, I went through allergy testing this past Tuesday.  Basically, everything they injected into me I was allergic to -- all the grasses, weeds, pollens, mold/mold spores, dust/dust mites, and pets (including dogs and yes, we have dogs). I think that was most of the categories.  My allergic reactions of late seem to be the worst in the fall and winter.  I think that's because the house is shut up more and our pets are inside more during those times, especially the winter. 

Anyway, I thought the doctor said I'd only have to take allergy shots for 2 years. Uh, I had that wrong. I must have had a brain cramp or something during all the testing, etc.  I learned yesterday that it's generally 5 years. I get weekly shots for 2 years. Then it starts decreasing over the next 3 years. More than a little difference in the overall scheme and cost of things, but God answered all the prayers for obvious answers regarding these tests and I'm trusting that He'll provide everything I and my family need to get through it.  He's in control and I'm letting Him carry the burden. I just need to be the pin cushion.

The upside is that if I I have no complications, they will train me how to give the injections to myself and I'll start doing that sometime soon after the 3-month mark of the injections. Less trips to the allergy clinic, less time spent traveling for it, and less money spent on the cost for them to administer the injections. I'll be introduced to a new friend, the epi pen. But these are all good things. Because there's light at the end of the tunnel and it's not a train coming at me. I see hope. I'm going to stop getting sinus infections all the time, coughing my head off, and losing my voice. I'll feel better. How can I not rejoice in all that! Yes, things are about to change for me -- in many ways -- but it's all good. Yippee! I'm on my way to recovery. My immune system can eventually work like it should instead of exhausting itself on being so busy fighting off the allergens that it can't fight off other invaders I might be exposed to.  It'll be a long process, but I know with all my heart that God is helping me to overcome these issues.  I am certain I'm going to start seeing positive results before long.  I should start the allergy injections in a couple of weeks or so.  It's the not knowing that's so frustrating.  It's much easier to deal with things when you know what you're dealing with.  Amen? 

So this girl is doing the happy dance, praising God from whom all blessings flow, and so very grateful for my friends and family who have been praying for me. Thank you, each and every one. I am blessed beyond measure! 
 
I hope to be back to blogging a bit more regularly soon.
 
I'm on my way back!  And it feels good!   
 
Be blessed! 
Susan