It's time for what I'm considering my quarterly check-in. And when I say a lot can happen in 3 months, A LOT can happen. So, let's get into it, shall we?
July: It's my birth month!!!!! You know, I like to celebrate all month long, right? Well, the first major event of the month was my cousin's wedding. I told y'all about the bridal shower with the last update. She was such a beautiful bride and the rock her hubby gave her made me feel like I was lifting weights just looking at it.
I filled all my orders for Crazy House and made deliveries. My house looked crazy with books, bookmarks, stickers, etc. all over the place. But I felt so loved by the amount of people who wanted a physical copy of my book. I can't wait until I drop some more books and become more well known. I'm writing now, so I'm hoping at least one more book is out before the end of the year. 🤞🏽
Next up, I went to a church event with one of my best friends' church. I put together some tumblers as giveaways for the event too. But let me tell you how the pastor told me all about myself in front of everybody. (I mean, I said she could. 🤷🏽♀️) She basically told me that God hears my cries and prayers. But the reason I haven't been receiving the blessings I've been asking for is because of my pride and I needed to get out of my own way. My mother was with me and we boo-hooed together, because she knows all of the things that have been plaguing me for the past almost year. Needless to say, I needed to put my big girl panties on, and GET IT TOGETHER!
Then, the most IMPORTANT day of the month was the anniversary of my birth. The same day as the church event, my family threw me a gathering at my uncle's house and we had a good time, laughing and joking, like we normally do. And then, that Sunday (my actual birthday), I went to church before my best friends took me out to eat for food and ice cream. One was missing but she, at least, reached out while we were out.
I know, last update, I'd mentioned going as a featured author to an event. I wasn't able to go. It broke my heart to have to cancel. But, I'm hoping to go next year and enjoy myself to make up for it.
Right after that, author M. L. Sexton hosted one of the biggest & best virtual book giveaway I've ever seen in my life. 100+ books of varying genres, all by black ass authors, for the F-R-E-E! I got my life, baby! You hear me! My Kindle and Book Funnel libraries are as full as 2 ticks. I even won 2 giveaways, winning 3 books and a box full of momentos. It was a great way to close out the month, if you ask me.
August: This month opened up with my leaving my house and having some Friday night fun with 2 of the besties and honorary neice. We went to a museum and then out to eat. It was a great time, since I had been holed up in the house, for the most part, for months.
I participated with my first ARC reading in August. The book was called Love's Hope by K. Lashaun. The review blog post is up, if you're interested in reading it. If you've been paying attention to any of my monthly book WrapUps, you've probably noticed multiple books by her being read. She has very quickly become one of my top 5 favs. No lie, I own every book she's written, either in paperback or ebook format. A few of them, I have both. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can't wait for the next one. She's already writing, so be on the look out for that coming hopefully soon.
Major change came at the end of this month. I got an outside job. I am finally working in the position I've been saying I wanted to do for a very long time. It isn't in the capacity I originally envisioned, nor for the pay I desire. However, with everything that has been going on, I count it all joy, because I have the position I want and still have the freedom to continue on my author/graphic designer journey.
September: Between August and this month, I have been shown over and over how staying faithful and prayerful ends with blessings. I won't go into detail about what happened, but Lord knows that I was tested and had been trying to figure out what I was and wasn't doing right. I had been fasting and praying but still worrying. And I have always been the one to say, "if you're gonna pray, don't worry. If you're gonna worry, why pray." I was eating them words by the spoonful. But I thank God, my prayers were heard and He gave me a LOUD and in my face answer. What a way to start the month out!
Labor Day weekend, my family got together at one of my cousins' house to have a 'Color Theme' party. It's always fun to gather and have a great time with your blood. We had food, movies, laughter, and more food. As much as I don't like crowds, I love parties. So, I can't wait til my next gathering, whether with friends or family.
Outside of that, nothing major else happened in September. I am getting in the groove at work and my co-workers are learning my quirks, just like I'm learning theirs. It's been interesting, to say the least. I did a wedding sign on acrylic for the first time. And I can only pray that the bride and groom (not my cousin) liked the work. I had already wanted to try it out for myself. So, I'm very grateful that the bride sought me out.
As you can see, a lot of moving parts were going on. Like I said, I'm writing again. I don't know which project I'll be releasing first. I'm working on 3 different projects. So, something is brewing. Let's see who pops out on top.
Until next time, quarter 3 done,
