Did I Really Say I Was in Decent Shape?

The plan was to step up my training this week. Normally, I walk 2 miles at a pace of a 3.7 - 4.0 miles per hour. Then I do some strength training and maybe a few laps in the pool. But, I need to start increasing the walking distance and aim for a pace of about 3 miles per hour. Times I've been to the gym this week? Big. Fat. Zero.

Instead of going to the gym, I have been researching fundraising ideas. Since, I'm already booked for a Pampered Chef party, I called my consultant, and we are going to make my party a fundraiser. If you are interested in some great cookware or gadgets (I love the crinkle cutter!), click Here
for my Pampered Chef party page. Or stop by on Feb. 28th. My proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

I actually have a pretty good excuse for not working out. It's not that I'm too busy with fundraising - it's snow. Last Saturday, we got pummeled with 28 and 1/2 inches. Then on Wednesday, another 18 inches. Now, I'm no math genius, but that's almost 4 feet of snow! It's been kind of hard to get around the city. And that's not mentioning the injuries.

Right, the injuries. Somehow, I managed to throw my back out. Not from shoveling snow, of course. I threw my back out just getting out of bed Thursday morning. Now, I know it probably is from all the shoveling. That snow is heavy. I really have a long way to go in the upper body strength department.

As long as there's no snow, it's back to the gym I go.

My Amazing 3 Day for the Cure Journey

I’m calling my first blog post for my 3-day web page, ‘The Amazing Journey Begins’. Honestly, I’m not crazy about the title. It kind of sounds a little like reality TV to me. Now, I am not dissing anybody who likes these shows. If you are an American Idol or Survivor or The Bachelor or Amazing Race or even Jersey Shore fan, I completely get it. As much as I loathe admitting it, reality TV is a hoot. Where I personally draw the line, though, is the lack of creative vocabulary from the contestants. They all say the same thing… “It’s been such an “amazing journey.” Really? These are the words used to describe acting and dressing like a skank and throwing yourself at some random bachelor or even worse, Bret Michaels?

That being said, I’m sticking with the title, because this does feel like the start of an amazing journey. I’ve never done anything like this before. So, how did I come to the decision to walk 60 miles? I knew I wanted to take on a challenge. First off, I’m in decent shape for the first time in a long time. I’m at the gym several times a week, and once spring comes, I plan to start training specifically for the event. Secondly, losing over a hundred pounds has boosted my self-confidence big time. I’m a little nervous about trying to raise $2300. But in years past, I would have never even attempted to fundraise, not to mention that I couldn’t physically walk 2 miles, much less 60. Thirdly, I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. As corny as this may sound, I wanted to give something back. I requested a brochure on the 3 Day for the Cure, and after dragging my friend, Helen to the getting started meeting, I signed on.

Since then, I’ve sent out a ton of e-mail, snail mail, and Facebook messages. I’m so grateful for the support of my family and friends. I’ve even reconnected with a few friends from my old writing group (I’ll be rejoining the group this Saturday), and some friends who I haven’t seen since high school. Thanks so much for your pledges, donations and encouragement! So far – it’s been amazing, and my journey is just beginning!

And Bret Michaels? Nowhere in sight.

Wonder Woman has Left the Building

I suppose if you read the previous post, you may be wondering what happened to Wonder Woman. Well, I cannot figure out how to get the blog skin to work. And now, I have discovered that since I've been gone, blogger has changed from an html to xml format. I decided the best course of action was to just find a new template. And here it is... it's from shabbyblogs.com. I consider my decorating style a modified shabby chic, so for now, I am rolling with the shabby blog.

I did write in my last post that I would talk books, but to be honest, I worked so long on trying to get the blog template looking decent that I am now out of creative mojo. Besides that, I have read several interesting books lately... it is so hard to pick just one to blog about. This I will have to ponder.

Blogging Redux

Well, the writing bug has finally bitten again. For now, I am blogging about my weight loss surgery (WLS), books I'm reading and hopefully, new writing projects.

I spent most of the evening trying to get my Wonder Woman blog skin working. Hmmph! It is not looking exactly how I want. There is something wrong with the html code, but I can't figure it out. Funny, this used to be my old blog template - it worked perfectly! Not now, though.

My weight loss is going along pretty well. I have lost over 50 lbs. so far. Today, I felt hunger. I was told that eventually I would feel hungry again. I just didn't expect it to happen so soon! At least a small amount of food now satisfies me. It's not the old tapeworm I used to have in my tummy.

Next time, let's talk books!

Moving....

to a new blog....

Enslave Me, Baby - Yeah!

Enslave Me Sweetly by Gena Showalter

She has the heart of a killer, and the body of an angel. . .

Eden Black walks among humans, protecting them from the murderous evil of other-worlders who abduct and enslave. And though she appears to be human herself, Eden is an alien, a Raka, distinguished by her golden hair and skin, and gifted with the ominous ability to kill without remorse – and with total accuracy. That is, until the fateful night she has one shot to eliminate her target, a human slaver – and misses.

“Failure” is not in Eden’s vocabulary. Neither is “partner” – but that’s what she is forcibly assigned after recovering from her disastrous mission. A sexy, steely-nerved human agent, Lucius Adaire enjoys nothing more than sparking the fury – and rousing the desire – of the fiery female assassin to proud to admit defeat. Locked in an assignment they cannot afford to lose, Lucius and Eden find themselves bound in two high-stakes, heart-pounding games: the dangerous web of kill or be killed, and the erotic dance of seduction. . .

Showalter first demonstrated her skill at blending sizzling romance and nail-biting suspense set in a convincing futuristic society in Awaken Me Darkly (2005). She now continues the roller-coaster-like adventure in an equally entertaining tale that will please a wide cross section of readers. *Starred Review* Booklist.

Order your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or BooksAMillion. For more information, visit Gena’s website at http://www.genashowalter.com/ and her blog at http://www.genashowalter.blogspot.com/

Party on Bebe's Blog

Author Bebe Thomas is giving away free stuff to celebrate her new website and blog. Why not stop by and say Hi? I know she'd love to see you!

STRESSED... I mean that in a good way

Well, I've had a busy month. The day job has been a little crazy - but in a good way. In the evenings, my alter ego has taken over. She's been busy writing, editing, and working on getting a website together.

It seems strange. I've worked so long and hard to get my romance fiction noticed. And in a couple of weeks, I'll be published under my pen name.

In a way, it's happening so fast.

AND I AM TOTALLY STRESSED OUT!!!! (but in a good way)

Sunset Key

It's $2.00 people - go buy it!!!!!!


Sunset Key
Cassidy Kent
ISBN 1-59426-563-1

Freesia Daniels, personnel specialist and consummate planner, wasn't prepared to get the boot from her company for possessing a heart. When she decides to return home from Boston to the sunny beaches of Key West to lick her wounds, she discovers her heartbroken past has finally caught up with her in the form of Zachary Gray, her childhood sweetheart. He lures her to his island getaway and lands them smack in the middle of a raging hurricane. Lightning doesn't often strike twice, but this storm might give them both a second chance at love.

Size: HeatSheet
Rating: Pulsar
Excerpt: http://www.phaze.com/Excerpts/SunsetKeyExcerpt.htm
http://www.phazebooks.com/catalog/product_...?products_id=87

So... what have I been up to?

It's been a wacky few weeks for me. I finally got the position I've been after for the 12 years I've been at my day job. So, I've been learning the ropes.

Then, my car broke down. It was a verrrrrrrry costly repair.

And I've been sick. It started out as a sinus infection, then morphed into bronchitis.

But I do have good news: I recently contracted with Freya's Bower publishing to write two mini e-books. They'll be published under my super secret pseudonym*, hopefully this summer.

*I'm in the process of setting up my website and blog for my alter-ego. I'll let you all know when she's ready for her debut.


In the meantime, I hope everyone had a joyous Passover or Easter.

Babelfish Friday

A lenten special for you... Babelfish Friday. I've taken some song lyrics and used babelfish to translate them to Spanish. Then Spanish to French. French to German. And finally German back to English. Can you name this tune?

including now, if it a another give will, which watch out, if it someone give will, which have, me expect, as soon as I including now of you think, how/as me climbin ' on the stair it be, and they require, that it so much make he that not even see will, if I correct now know, and I a good life find have than, what I including now we have réveillons the cryin ' in center the night, and I not believe can, that he still so bad inclusively now hurt can, if I me me until today come be will he have pregúntese, where They are, I ask, because he will shine if I at crossing, schw50re I that food in you knew and like demands you including now, I hear that its name and the world changed so much, since it including now gone I to remind still of it and one ignite directly and this pain still the ignited feeling within mo ' and, inclusively now inclusively, if I will have come myself have to today pregúntese now, where you are I ask, because she inclusively now is still so hard without you in lesquel I comes shinin ' that I at food crossing in you and God schw50re, wishes, that you knew inclusively now

My thanks to Lynn Daniels for this groovy idea.

A Happy Belated St. Paddy's Day to Ya

AKA - in lieu of a real post...

Your Irish Name Is...

Shauna Sheehan

What's your Irish Name?

Still Bored, but Rested

I just woke up from my nap. I took this blogthings test:

You Are a Visionary Soul

You are a curious person, always in a state of awareness. Connected to all things spiritual, you are very connected to your soul. You are wise and bright: able to reason and be reasonable. Occasionally, you get quite depressed and have dark feelings. You have great vision and can be very insightful. In fact, you are often profound in a way that surprises yourself. Visionary souls like you can be the best type of friend. You are intuitive, understanding, sympathetic, and a good healer. Souls you are most compatible with: Old Soul and Peacemaker Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

I loooooooove blogthings! Sometimes I have nothing interesting to write, so I post a blogthings quiz. Like today.

I have almost completed my first week of The Writer's Way program. I feel like the morning pages are helping, although, admittedly, I do not always do them in the morning. Sometimes they are afternoon or evening pages. And more than once, they have been almost the stroke of midnight pages!

Bored...

Ha! I typed the title of this post and published it without any of my usual scintillating commentary. I am almost tempted to keep it.

You may have noticed I went back to my old blog design. I love the Wonder Woman blog, but this design has a better flow with my website. I've even thought about publishing the blog as a separate page on the site, but changing the address can't be good. And you know, it's conference season - which means networking and handing out business cards. Yes, my business cards even look like my website.

And just what does this have to do with my being bored? Absolutely nothing. I have plenty to do. I just don't feel like doing any of it. Maybe I will take a nap. I haven't done that in a gazillion years. Um. Well, since last week, but it feels like a long time.

Food for Thought

I got this in my inbox. Naturally, I have no idea who originally wrote it.

MAYONNAISE JAR and 2 CUPS OF COFFEE

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

Next, the professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "YES."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play With your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. "Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Randomness

A Completely Random List of Favorite Songs
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Beauty School Dropout
Even Now
Moon River
Lips Like Sugar
The Promise
How Soon is Now
Please Let Me Get What I Want
Baby Girl
Wanted Dead or Alive
Everyday is Like Sunday
Age of Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me

Mercury is in Retrograde!

According to Astrology.com:It's that time again: Mercury turned retrograde on March 2, and will continue its apparent backward journey until the 25th. Better dust off all the standard Mercury-retrograde cautions: Back up computer files and go the extra mile to express yourself clearly. When the Communication Planet is in reverse, it can feel like productivity is in park! But no two retrogrades are the same -- and Mercury's latest move makes this a crucial time to strike new balance.

Mercury retrograde is always cause for introspection -- even more so as it takes place in Pisces, the imaginative final sign of the zodiac. The Fish swim through deep, dreamy waters, so pay close attention to your subconscious cues for the next few weeks. Reason may be particularly obscured, but as typical modes of communication become tricky, we'll all benefit from indulging those creative sides!

Of course, the planets love a good curveball: On March 4, Jupiter, ruler of values, also turns retrograde (until July 6). With Jupiter's social aspects highlighted -- and its typical grandeur toned down -- now's the time to realistically reevaluate your belief system: What's crucial to your role in the bigger social picture ... and what's holding you back?

Put it all together, and what do you get? A golden opportunity not only to immerse yourself in your dreams, but also to season them with a pinch of reality.

Eureka! This explains everything. Miscommunication of all sorts has been happening this past week. Well, I'm taking a deep breath and will be sure to be extra careful in this respect.

I started working through The Artist's Way this week. It's a 12 week process to recover your creativity. A big part of the program is Morning Pages. It's three pages written in longhand each morning - a journal that I'm not supposed to re-read for eight weeks. It's about getting all of the crap out of the way, so I can then focus on my writing. Of course, the three morning pages are probably the most I've actually written in the past few weeks, so I feel pretty good about it. Another important step is taking my inner artist out on a date once a week. Just the two of us. So, last night, I bought my inner artist the Pride and Prejudice DVD, and we watched it together and ate Ben and Jerry's Mint Chocolate cookie ice cream. I think my inner artist liked it.

But there is the problem. With this Mercury Retrograde thing happening, how can I possibly be sure?

Keep An Open Mind About This...

You Are 68% Open Minded

You are a very open minded person, but you're also well grounded. Tolerant and flexible, you appreciate most lifestyles and viewpoints. But you also know where you stand firm, and you can draw that line. You're open to considering every possibility - but in the end, you stand true to yourself.

How Open Minded Are You?

What is my blog worth?

My blog is worth $8,468.10.
How much is your blog worth?

Just Because

Now that I have succeeded in preventing Sela from quitting writing, I find the prospect more and more appealing. Actually, it's not that I need a break from writing, more like I need a break from "writing related activities". I need to scale back on my extra-curricular activities. I need to learn how to say no.

I cleaned my side of the office yesterday. I've got new files, pretty storage baskets, and a reduced TBR file. Two fabulous finds in my clutter: a $60 rebate form from CibaVision, which I sent out today (one day before the deadline), and my copy of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.

It occurs to me that these are signs. I ask for signs all the time, but I think God usually sends them in Japanese. I don't even need them to be in English. I could make it out in Spanish, but Japanese, nope. Anyway, I am grateful. And I know I have to get back to basics, back to the joy of writing, back to feeling creative and special. Not because I must. Just because.