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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

A Day in My Life: Monday

by Chautona Havig · 10 Comments

monday3
Yes, I know it’s on the wrong week, but honestly, it just seemed to fit.

“Man plans his ways…”  Yeah.  That.  Okay, so two weeks ago, I decided I wanted to do this series now.  I figured this would be the best week option for it.  While not “normal” I did hope it would be reasonable.  HA!

So, it all started “last night” at about 5 a.m. (Still July 20, but I’m weird, okay?).   I didn’t get tired.  That’s how I roll.  I stay up until I’m tired and then I sleep until I’m rested.  There was just one problem.  I had to be awake at 8:00 a.m.

Which just proves I don’t know what I’m talking about.  It all started last Friday when Lorna (#7 daughter a la Charlie Chan) came home with a sign up sheet for basketball camp.  I filled it out.  But alas, you have to sign a liability waiver that wasn’t included.  I’m the only one who can sign it, so despite Lorna working hard to get rides set up, I had to get up to have here there by 8:30.  Yeah.  That.

Plan one: shot.  No sleeping as long as I needed.  Because you see, something else happened.  I came home and I went back to bed.  But I need a bare (although otherwise you’d think that should be “bear”) minimum of 7 hours of sleep.  Nine is perfect.  Eight is usual.  Guess who got home by 9 and went straight to bed?  Guess who had to be up by 12:30 to go get #7 daughter because I realized that the original plan of #1 daughter bringing her home leaves her alone for 10 minutes.  At home?  No problem.  At THE COLLEGE?  I don’t think so.

Blessing in disguise:  A friend offered to take her to and from when they came out today.  WOOT!

See... set and ready to "work"
See… set and ready to “work”

Now remember, I have plans for today.  They are as follows:

  • Take myself out to lunch
  • Buy myself flowers
  • Write birthday cards.
  • Make more birthday cards.

I arrived home to a message from #1 daughter.  She’s bringing me my favorite salad for my birthday.  Okay, plan 2 changed.  Oh, and plan 3 changed too.  I didn’t want to go out to the store at that point.

monday1
Yum! My fave!

But my big goal for the day was the birthday cards.  See, I’m WAY behind on my birthday card sending.  As in, three months.  *blush!*  So what better way to spend my birthday than by sending cards to readers who have been waiting WAY too long.  I got all of April, May, and June in the address book and then I got ALL of the April cards done.  Of course, I didn’t START on those cards until HOURS after I’d intended to.  *whimpers*.  So, the day ended and guess what?  Only April got completely done.  You see, I used up all of my cards.  And there was no time to make more.  🙁  Still, I like it.  I think I’ll be making a bunch tomorrow.  It’s not what I was supposed to be doing, but I want to get caught up!  Argh!

My box of cards I've made--there were over 20 in there. Now it's empty.
My box of cards I’ve made–there were over 20 in there. Now it’s empty.

monday5

 

monday6

Then, of course, there was the gym.  *cue weeping violins*  So I get my voice recorder and decide to do a little audio discussion of my mixed up day.  The seventeen minute stroll to the gym…   perfect.  I go in and BARELY get my .5 mile on the elliptical before taking on the treadmill again.  Okay, something you should know about me.  I made a deal with myself a while back.  It works this way.  I can read all I want–at the gym. Otherwise, I don’t get to read.  That’s some serious motivation for me. I LOVE to read. For the curious, I was reading book 2 of THIS series–seriously good books.  Great suspense, CLEAN (both smutually and verbally speaking) Soooooooo…

I walk home, I get a few new ideas for Carol and the Belles and.. guess what?  I plug in my voice recorder and there’s  CRAZY audio noise.  I mean, I can hear it, but it’s annoying to listen to.  It’s a “Murphy Day.”  What else can I say?  Day one was a total bust and yet… It’s what the Lord wanted, I suppose.  Today reminded me of a quote by Annie Keary that Elisabeth Elliot mentioned in her book A Quiet Heart.

“I think I find most help in trying to look on all interruptions, and hindrances to work that one has planned out for oneself as discipline, trials sent by God to help one against getting selfish over one’s work. Then one can feel that perhaps one’s trues work—one’s work for God—consists in doing some trifling hap-hazard thing that has been thrown into one’s day. It is not waste of time, as one is tempted to think, it is the most important part of the work of the day,—the part one can best offer to God. After such a hindrance, do not rush after the planned work; trust that the time to finish it will be given sometime, and keep a quiet heart about it.”

So, I did.  It’s good. Plans change.  And that’s okay. Because things like This weren’t in those plans:  Cheesecake surprise from my son-in-law.

 monday10
A few special cards from my Mom, a gift exchange, my daughter, and a reader.  😀
monday9
I’m particularly partial to this one from #4 daughter.
monday8
Still can’t stop laughing!  Oh, and I was obviously out of my head, because I also did another first  A “selfie.”  this is a unique first, because I’m pretty sure it’ll be a “last” too.  Not my cuppa.  But there’s one off the “never going in a bucket list” list.
monday7

 

So I was blessed with a wonderful day.  A day of fabulous gifts from friends and family, reminders that I am loved, and a chance to remind “strangers” that I appreciate them–even if I’m super late showing it.  *blush*

Thanks for joining me.  I’m sure it was a thrill a second.  *cough*  Maybe tomorrow will be a “better” day. *snickers*

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Comments

  1. Linda Sue says

    July 21, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    Oh golly I LOVE that series of FBI stories – creepy to just the right level – serious hottie alert on the agent and his sassy daughter – just a hoot.
    You have far more control than I have – limiting reading to one place would make me stay in that one place 3 or 4 hours a day!
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the creative, charming, chaotic, Christian, clever, compassionate, captivating Chautona! (okay well it is for your birthday so I’m claiming artistic license which is not revocable for corniness!)

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      July 21, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      That’s why I’m in there for an hour or more! LOL

      Reply
  2. Heather says

    July 21, 2015 at 9:27 am

    Happy belated birthday….

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      July 21, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Alicia says

    July 21, 2015 at 9:21 am

    I loved this Chautona. It is real life and It is what happens to us all. Sometimes “life gets in the way,” but something good always come out of that. What a thoughtful family even with cards and gifts and yet it was done in the way you like: low key and little by little. (At least that is how you like a lot of things, except probably your writing :).

    Sounds like a perfectly wonderful unplanned day. And there is always time for other things. I had one of those yesterday. I had several things set to do. Got one from that list done. The rest, there was always something else that popped up. Life happens and there is always tomorrow 😉

    Happy (belated) Birthday!! Tried to get it out yestersay to you and another. Alas, a day late is better than no wishes at all.

    Reply
  4. Alicia says

    July 21, 2015 at 9:21 am

    I loved this Chautona. It is real life and It is what happens to us all. Sometimes “life gets in the way,” but something good always come out of that. What a thoughtful family even with cards and gifts and yet it was done in the way you like: low key and little by little. (At least that is how you like a lot of things, except probably your writing :).

    Sounds like a perfectly wonderful unplanned day. And there is always time for other things. I had one of those yesterday. I had several things set to do. Got one from that list done. The rest, there was always something else that popped up. Life happens and there is always tomorrow 😉

    Happy (belated) Birthday!! Tried to get it out yestersay to you and another. Alas, a day late is better than no wishes at all. ????????????????????????????????????????????????

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      July 21, 2015 at 1:22 pm

      Thank you!! Yes, low key is exactly how I like it! 😀

      Reply
  5. Terresa m. says

    July 21, 2015 at 9:15 am

    Happy Belated Birthday! ????
    Love the selfie!
    So, your to do list today looks much similar to yesterday’s! I SO know that feeling! ????

    Reply
    • Chautona says

      July 21, 2015 at 1:22 pm

      Yep! That’s about right!

      Reply
  6. Linda huff says

    July 21, 2015 at 9:13 am

    Happy Birthday, thank you for blessing my life.

    Reply

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
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