jchannigan

[jchannigan]

A Long Long Year

A Long Long Year

2019 comes to a close in just a few days. It’s been a hell of a year–a winding, twisting rollercoaster, with more sharp twists and sudden drops than anticipated.

This year has been hard. For me, and for a lot of the people I care about. It’s been rough and I’ve been pretty quiet, because there is so much constantly going on in my head and I can’t seem to form any words.

I realized recently that…

[jchannigan]

Adapting

When you have a chronic pain disorder, new troubles often arise that you must adjust to. Adaptation is key, as mobility can differ greatly from week to week. But although adaptation is key, it’s often challenging–even after years of practice. Sometimes, the disappointment and self-pitying sets in and all you can do is ride it out.

In the months between March and May, I was going out for daily…

[jchannigan]

Some of the Heavy

Some of the Heavy

When we found out the boys would be having their first surgeries, I went into a limbo. They told us May, so I prepared diligently for May. I backed out of a signing event I really wanted to do, because I was certain we’d get that call any day. When it didn’t happen in May, I thought surely June. I waited, I didn’t make plans, other than lining up post-surgery services with occupational and…

[jchannigan]

As It Is

We’re still waiting on that call with the boys’ surgery date, but we got the CT scan we needed for Archer. He was really good about it, too–listening and following instructions without any prompting on my part. I still remember the heart-wrenching days when I had to hold him down for x-rays. When you have a chronic pain disorder, you get used to the tests and succumb to them quickly simply to get…

[jchannigan]

Things Are...

Things Are... #MondayBlogs #chronicpain #MultipleOsteochondromas

My blog voice feels a little bit rusty, right now. It’s been a while since I used it, but I’m busting it out today. No time like the present, right?

Things are…really great, and also…things have been a whole lot stressful.

We are settled into our new home, and we’re loving it. This town is pretty neat, with it’s old history and tiny charm. Our new house feels a lot bigger, too. The school is…

[jchannigan]

So Not Accomplished

I haven’t been feeling very accomplished lately. I’ve got a million projects going on, all of them in various stages of completion. Moving is…a slow and tedious process. I woke up sick the weekend we were supposed to pick the keys up, and then I spent a good week and a half recovering from the flu from hell. It’s been a scramble since then to get everything done before the holidays.

Hopefully…

[jchannigan]

Chaos and Beauty

Things have been more than a little hectic around here, these past few weeks. We decided the time had come for a move–we’ve been living in this house for six years now, and while we’ve loved it–we’ve also really outgrown it. Our lease was up soon, so we started looking a little east. We found a cute three bedroom four minutes away from my sister, and we get the keys this weekend. We’ll be…

[jchannigan]

Ignite Your Soul Author Event 2018 Recap!

Ignite Your Soul Author Event 2018 Recap!

So this past Saturday, the hubs and I headed to London, Ontario for the Ignite Your Soul Author Event! I’ve gone pretty much every year (save for that horrid year I got the flu THE NIGHT BEFORE the event). It’s always fun, and this year was no different!

So many familiar faces, and so many new ones, too!

If you’re a book lover local to London, Ontario, I totally recommend joining us next year.

❤️

[jchannigan]

Not Always Good

I’m not always good at staying in touch. It’s not that I don’t care, it’s that my energy levels get so depleted that I can’t. I blink, and suddenly three weeks have gone by, and I realize that I haven’t spoken to the people closest to me–outside of those who live with me, of course.

Lately, pain has been kicking my tired arse. I could blame it on the weather–it’s getting colder now, there’s a…

[jchannigan]

Another Overdue Update

Summer is officially over, and schools back in session! The boys are adjusting to fourth and second grade respectively, and they seem to really like their teachers–even if they’re less than thrilled about actually having to go to school. If they had it their way, summer would be 365 days of the year. Not that I blame them, I’m so not looking forward to winter–even with the record high we…

[jchannigan]

What a Summer!

I’m sitting here this morning, drinking a coffee and appreciating the perplexing fact that time slips so quickly through our fingers.

Granted, it’s been a busy summer. Kids everywhere, distractions everywhere–I don’t think I’ve had a kid free moment since school let out. 98% of the time when I sit down to write or do my book related hustle, I’m pulled away by kids.

After publishing Coalescencein…

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Coalescence is NOW LIVE!

Coalescence is NOW LIVE!

I published my eleventh novel this morning. Coalescence is now LIVE and free in Kindle Unlimited, and I’m currently bouncing between being incredibly nervous about this release (because duh) and being SO DAMN EXCITED I can’t see straight (because also duh).

I’ve grown a lot since I hit publish on my first novel five years ago, but one thing consistently remains the same; the release day jitters…

[jchannigan]

Cover Reveal: COALESCENCE by J.C. Hannigan

Cover Reveal: COALESCENCE by J.C. Hannigan

Title: Coalescence Series: A Welder Romance Author: J.C. Hannigan Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: July 26, 2018 Cover Design: Shari Ryan from Madhat

  After the betrayal of her ex-boyfriend, Gwen has sworn off men.

Her sister’s upcoming wedding and her new single lifestyle serve as constant reminders that she’s not where she hoped she’d be in life.

At the urging of her sister,…

[jchannigan]

#TuesdayThoughts: The Marriage Bucket

#TuesdayThoughts: The Marriage Bucket

Nobody ever said that marriage was easy. In fact, I was given that speech many times after Matt and I announced our engagement. A lot of our family and friends thought we were insanely under prepared for marriage and what it meant.

And we were.

Marriage, like anyrelationship, takes work…and a lot of it. You have to constantly keep an open mind and be aware of your partner and their needs, as well…

[jchannigan]

#TuesdayThoughts: It Starts With You

#TuesdayThoughts: It Starts With You

I used to be one of those people who complained about every single photo someone else took of me and posted online. I would see my flaws; the things about myself that I didn’t like: my scars and bone growths, my misshaped limbs. My differences; my insecurities captured in a photograph and shared for all to see.

I used to beg them to delete the unflattering photo from existence. I used to sink…

[jchannigan]

Not Just Teenage Hormones: When to Seek Psychiatric Help

Not Just Teenage Hormones: When to Seek Psychiatric Help

My family has a history of mental illness.

You know, a couple of years ago…I wouldn’t have dared write those eight little words. I wouldn’t have spoken so candidly about the struggles we have faced as a result of mental illness. I was pretty much banned from writing about it, because that was how I was raised. You didn’t discuss your family’s “dirty laundry”, and for the longest time…mental…

[jchannigan]

Camping with Chronic Pain

Camping with Chronic Pain

We spent last weekend up north, camping on Matt’s family property with friends. It was supposed to rain the whole time, but miraculously the weather held out, and we only got a little rain early Saturday morning.

It was so much fun, even if I was the main course for black flies and mosquitos all weekend. Seriously, they feasted on me–even holding one of those mosquito coils didn’t deter them from…