What a difference a year makes - by Magdalena Scott

Exactly one year ago I was packing and re-packing my tiny suitcase and shoulder tote, in preparation for a trip of a lifetime: A ten-day coach tour of Ireland with a longtime friend.

So much has happened since that fabulous trip.

For instance, more trips! In March, I spent a week with friends in Tucson. July was a long weekend in the Lancaster, PA area with high school girlfriends, one of whom was my roomie in Ireland. In August my son, daughter-in-law, and I went to Los Angeles, CA area to visit family and do some sight-seeing.

Friends ask when I'm heading out again, and I shake my head. Not any time soon. Can't afford it, plus I am so happy to be home, and in my quiet routine. Some would call it boring, and they'd be right.

I've taken better care of myself this year, or at least I'm trying. I try to eat well (see fruit smoothie dinner), sleep well, and exercise daily. Not great, not perfect, but better than twelve months ago, when I was a year younger.

A year ago I had been in two USA Today bestselling boxed sets, and now I've been in three. Wow!

A year ago, I had released three books in my Serendipity, Indiana series, and yesterday I released number seven--the intended end of the series. I'm not even sure how I feel about reaching this goal--maybe I'm in shock.

I love autumn, and October is my favorite month. Maybe the turning and falling of the leaves makes me think about change.

This year has brought some interesting experiences, and opportunities. I guess the question might be, "What's next?"

~*~

Magdalena Scott is a USA Today Bestselling Author. Her most recent release is a light paranormal sweet romance, A Piece of Her Soul (Serendipity, Indiana - Book #7). You can learn all about Magdalena at her website: http://www.magdalenascott.com/


A PIECE OF HER SOUL - Serendipity, Indiana Book #7

Small town romance with a light paranormal twist. Don't miss Autumn in Serendipity!

Nick Marshall has a hole in his soul, and Jacqueline must help him find the missing piece. Their teenage history in the gossipy town of Serendipity compounds the situation, as Jacqueline’s visit to help her injured mother (Reba Markland, EMILY'S DREAMS) turns into something more.

The little town hasn’t changed much--the gossip tree still has branches and roots everywhere, most folks remember the town’s past better than they can imagine its future, and the autumn colors are more beautiful than anywhere she’s traveled in the years since she left.

Jacqueline's gift is needed here, but she won’t risk her heart, or put her family in the spotlight, by staying.

Amazon (US) ~ Amazon (UK) ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Nook 

Changing your Priorities with a newborn

So I'm super happy that I wrote last month's blog post on the 27th early and talked about impending motherhood. The truth was I became a mom on the 24th of July when my daughter showed up. (That's her in the pic.) She was slightly early, but still full term. And unlike most newborns, she's not sleeping all the time. She's awake alot and vocal. And honestly I thought people were joking/over-exaggerating about the whole 'no sleeping' at night once the baby was born. I now know better, but it's all good. 

So now that I know I'll be up and about with my little girl, the question becomes how to fit everything in. Do I write another chapter or do I pump milk? And when did that even become something possible. My life before this month was in many ways easier. I did what i wanted. My husband and I coming together to do things wasn't a hardship. He's fun and he's an adult so he can wash, feed and otherwise be fine on his own. This is not true with my baby. She needs me to do things for her and that's just the priority.

However babies do sleep and the question of how do I write is now, when does it fit into the schedule. When do I have twenty minutes? An hour would be glorious! However when there is a will, you can get it done. I want to teach my girl that she can accomplish anything she wants to in the world, so I have to set the example. And writing to me is not a hobby or a 'something to do when bored' thing. It's something I take serious in my life. So life is now readjusting but it's the best possible readjustment that I could ask for. 

It's no longer a question of 'who would ever call me mom' because now I see into her baby blue eyes (for now) and felt that the second she was born on the 24th and I saw her in person. (Does this make me a Doubting Thomas type as I needed to see with my eyes how and who was coming to change me? Hmm. This is something I'll now think about for the rest of the day.) I hope you are all having an amazing day yourself!