Hopeful

These two make a cute couple and they seem to enjoy each others' company:

So I'm hopeful that
they can stay friends through whatever comes their way
that the happiness they feel today lasts a long time
that they can both see the bigger picture in life
that she can accept his faults and shortcomings, and that he will do the same for her
that her daughter will always be a priority in her life and he will respect and nurture that
and that I can stay out of their bizness and just enjoy seeing them whenever I can

****** 

 P.S.  Who knew that being a parent wouldn't get easier as your kids grew older?  What other job is there in the world that pays in happiness and worry and tears...and is constantly changing?  

And lasts literally, forever. 

Doing something new

A couple of months ago I got a wild hair after reading a blog post from one of my favorite wine websites, Texas Wine Lover. 

Infinite Monkey Theorem

Since Hubby and I love to travel and explore and see what's new in wineries all around us, could I maybe write a post or two for them, I wondered?  I wasn't looking for a job, just a fun way to channel some of that energy I am no longer spending on raising kids, dontcha know.

Red Wing Dove

So I sent the editor an email that said "do you ever let people write random posts for your blog?"  And he said  "Thanks for the email. I am always looking for good writers. It sounds like you two love traveling and visiting new wineries like us! Do you have any examples of your previous writing?"  So I sent some links to some places Mark and I went where we had fun.

Wedding Oak Winery

Then he said: 

"I pay $35 for a general blog post and $40 if it's about a winery we haven't written about yet. If I ever get to the point of breaking even with the website and even a profit, those amounts will go up. The perks are nice though when visiting wineries and you flash your TWL business card."

I see you've been a subscriber for a year now, so you probably have a good feel about how we write. Let me take a look at some of your writing and get a few other opinions too. If you decide now you're not interested, then please let me know that too. Cheers!"

Three Dudes Winery

I visited the first winery he asked me to, wrote about it, and he published it.  Then he did that four more times.  I am surely green as a bean at this reporting gig, but I think, "well,why can't I learn this something new?"  And he has shown faith in me which is no small thing, so I am determined to give it my best.  Today marks two months since that first email and he has sent me business cards and added me to the website.https://txwinelover.com/about/meet-our-team/

Augusta Vin

So I get to write about something I love: Texas wines.  Each time, I am learning a little bit more about what the website is looking for, what facts are important in the articles, and getting a little bit more excited about the possibility of WRITING, my thoughts, my ideas, my experiences, all for someone else to read.  And also getting to do something FUN.  I'm pretty happy about the possibilities of learning and doing this something new.