Happy Halloween...

Found this on Funny Cat Photos widget.

Are you wearing a costume?

I'm dressing up as a writer. I know, too easy. :-P

Adventures of Kat week 2...

http://www.adventuresofkat.com/lovework-week-2/

I've been reading and think this should be so easy. I mean, it sounds easy. Straight forward. It isn't.

It doesn't matter to me how slow I need to take it, I am going to learn how to do this.

For my first sentence, I've chosen: The truth will set me free.

I know, the actually verse is "The truth shall set you free." However, I needed to personalize it. I've been practicing for a couple of days. It's easier today than it was a couple days ago when I chose it.

Carpe diem... Martinsville...

NASCAR ~ Carl came in 18th. It's been a rough season.

Editing of the book due on the 1st continues. It's my own personal editing. I don't know how many times I edit a book before it makes it to the publisher. I edit as I go. Once it's finished, the "first" draft, I edit again and again... truth is: I don't stop editing until I send it to the publisher, and then they edit it, and send it back to me, and I edit it some more. Not only what the editor sends, but what I notice as I go along. I spend the majority of my time editing.

Reading. I need the breaks.

Laundry. Never ending.

Something's niggling at me. I don't know what it is. Hate that.

Praying for all those affected by hurricane Sandy.

The truth will set me free...

Thank Goodness It's Sunday... #126

~Friends who see me through, every day.

~Opportunities to start over, every day.

~Writers who inspire me, every day.

~Music that lifts me, every day.

~God's grace, every day.

My Heroes... The Fallen...

Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods were ex-SEALs who understood honor and courage and lived it to the end. They were told to stand down, twice, when they heard the gunfire. They couldn't do nothing, knowing help was needed. They knew no one was coming to help them. They could have stayed safe. Instead, they chose to run to the fight to help Sean Smith and Christopher Stevens. They knew there would be no aid, but they needed to do what they could. Help was available. Help was waiting for permission. Permission was never given. In fact, help was denied, repeatedly. May God bless the mourning families.

It's Friday...

I'm doing the final edit before sending Hidden Possibilities Book 2 of the Endless Possibilities series. I'm tightening, adding, re-arranging, making it the best possible book. In the meantime, something appropriate for me:

Week Seventy of REAL...

Reminders: REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

RIght up front: Never in a million years could I do what is required. However, I needed to start somewhere. Considering how fit the SEALs are, I figured it was a good place to start. So my SEAL puppy reps consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. I've worked up to 33 and working at slowing it down.

For a while, I'm going to try and keep track of my weight only when it goes down. It's too easy to start from the new higher weight.

The 19th: I'm doing some rethinking about REAL. I like the premise, but I need to make some changes.

The 20th: Physical therapy. Four-mile walk. Whoohoo!

The 21st: stressstressstressstressstressstressstress... you get the picture...

The 22nd: SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy rep. Did not sleep well. Woke at 2am. It's going to be a long day.

The 23rd: Eating okay.

The 24th: SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy rep.

The 25th: I'm not going to pretend like this is going to be easy, not stepping on the scale that is. My mother used to weigh herself morning and evening and keep a record on the calendar in the kitchen. I was proud of myself for only stepping on the scale once a day. Nothing ventured; nothing gained. Here we  go: Measurements: Arms: 14 Bust: 44 Waist: 39 Hips: 51 Thighs: 30 Calves: 18. Weight: 235.4

From here on, no more scale. Keeping track of what I weigh by how my clothes fit. *snort*

The first picture was taken in February 2012. The second picture was taken in June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me:

Adding to REAL...

Kathy has started her own self love project. I've decided to join her.

Here's the start: http://www.adventuresofkat.com/the-interview/

My five words: Believer, Writer, Tenacious, Optimistic, Patient.

Can I use your first name or would you like to remain anonymous? Go ahead and use my first name.

Name: Judy

What do you consider self-love? Treating myself with kindness and respect.

Do you love yourself? No. Why or why not? I was taught I wasn't lovable. 

If yes, how do you maintain it when things go not as planned? What advice can you give to those of us that don’t feel successful at it?

If not, what do you think is holding you back? It really is all in my head. I was trained from an early age I was difficult and grew up with impossible expectations. Can you pinpoint a period of time when you did? Closest I came was with my dog and my horse. I now have good friends who assure me I'm lovable. What would help you in your journey to self-love? Haven't figured that one out yet.

What are your strengths? Never-say-die. No matter how depressed I am, I will not give up.

How much do you think playing on your strengths is to your self-love? It's my only hope.

When you die what do you want to be known for? Helping others overcome the stumbling blocks in their own lives...helping others learn they are lovable.

Is what you are doing in your life now helping or hurting that? Helping.

Where do you see yourself in 1 year? Another year old. 5 years? Closer to being independent . 10 years? Independent.

Any additional comments you want to share? Nope.

Next step: Stop stepping on the scale. Hmmm... am I really capable of doing that? Maybe I'll finish out this week of stepping on the scale, and start the new REAL week without the scale and see what happens.

Joel Runyon's lates Impossible post...

I loved it! :-) You'll appreciate that more after you've read his post. It isn't very long.

http://joelrunyon.com/two3/do-what-you-hate

I hate exercise. New opportunity to approach it in a different light.

Carpe diem... Kansas...

NASCAR ~ Carl came in 14th. Not bad.

What needs to be done, today?

~Editing

~Laundry

~Chocolate Chip Cookie dough ~ I freeze them in single serving sizes and pull them from the freezer and bake a couple fresh when I want a couple cookies. Yummy!

~Reading

Thank Goodness It's Sunday... #125

~The weather is beginning to cool. More would be better. :-)

~I'm still enjoying books by Anne Gracie. I have plans to re-read a few of Diane Gaston's and Elizabeth Rolls - reminders why I write the way I do.

~Chocolate - haven't mentioned my appreciation for this particular delectable in a while.

~Internet sites where I'm able to check grammar and word origins.

~Friends who see me through the rough patches.

My Heroes... Elbridge Gerry...

What I'm finding these men have in common is a love for freedom and liberty. The desire to see American citizens released from the oppression of the British King. In some cases, it seems to be about the only thing some of these men shared in common. They were diverse and yet all were driven to better their own lives and the lives of those they served. None of them were lazy. They all worked hard and never settled for a quiet, uninspiring life...

Coconut oil update...

I've been using coconut oil for a while now. I use it when I saute zucchini, with a bit of butter.

I recently tried it in cake instead of the usual vegetable oil. We'll see what happens. Surprise, surprise, my tummy had less trouble than when I used corn oil.

I've also recently added coconut milk. It was on sale and cost less than my lactose-free milk. So far, I've been using it to mix half and half with my milk when I make Carnation Instant Breakfast for lunch. It's incredibly filling. I really like it. This is fun.

Week Sixty-Nine of REAL...

Reminders: REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

RIght up front: Never in a million years could I do what is required. However, I needed to start somewhere. Considering how fit the SEALs are, I figured it was a good place to start. So my SEAL puppy reps consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. I've worked up to 33 and working at slowing it down.

For a while, I'm going to try and keep track of my weight only when it goes down. It's too easy to start from the new higher weight.

The 12th:  SEAL puppy rep. One-mile walk. SEAL puppy rep. Rained last night. There was lightning to the north when I was out walking this morning. I only knew because it lit up the clouds.

The 13th: Two-mile walk with my sister. A great thing.

The 14th: Not sleeping well. Too warm at night. It's nice to have the temperatures dropping, but the A/C doesn't turn on as often, so I'm roasting, which means no sleeping.

The 15th: SEAL puppy. One-mile walk. SEAL puppy. Knee twinges. Hate when that happens.

The 16th: Made it through the day. That's good.

The 17th: SEAL puppy rep. One-mile walk. Hormones kicked in and the rest of the day falls apart.

The 18th: Sigh... weight isn't changing... 

The first picture was taken in February 2012. The second picture was taken in June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me:

The Hobbit...

Release is less than 2 months away. Whoohoo!

Here is a lovely interview with Elijah Wood one of my friends sent me a while back, and I'm only now catching up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGNZeHFYRsM

I couldn't figure out how to make Margaret's link active in the comments, so adding it here. :-)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IeBkGzqGB50/UH3je28q6KI/AAAAAAAACjM/n1DtFcAO25M/s500/Hobbit_Exclusiva_Frodo.jpg

Reading list of late...

I've read a bunch of authors, who are now on my "no" list, for various reasons. Bad editing, i.e., lots of typos and continuity problems, annoys me. I don't want to work when I read. I'm reading to take a break from work. Several of the writers ended up on my "no" list because frankly their characters drove me crazy. I wanted to shake them and tell them any of a number of things I can't print here. I really shouldn't think it either, but I'm not perfect. I'm working on it. Anyway, several ended up on the "no" list because their "villains" were narcissists and magically came around in the end, if not perfectly at least enough for an HEA (Happily Ever After). It wasn't so bad I tore up the books, which I have done, but bad enough I'll never read books by the author again.

After all the garbage, I needed to remind myself why I want to be a writer. I unearthed Anne Gracie's Perfect series. Because I like Diane Gaston/Perkins, Amazon recommended Anne Gracie. It worked. I love Anne Gracie, too. I finished the first book, The Perfect Rake, this weekend and started the second book, The Perfect Waltz. There are four in all. Anne's humor is dry and clever. I laugh thinking about some of the scenes. Her stories have a steamy scene or two. There is a lot of tension between the hero and heroine.

I started writing because I wanted Anne's, Diane's, and Elizabeth Rolls' type books with a Christian twist. When I need inspiration or a reminder why I want to write, all I need to do is pick up one of their books. I'm not sure I'll ever make it into their circle, but they are my inspiration. I want to be more like them.

Carpe diem... Charlotte...

Forgot to mention that Carl came in 7th. Yay!

What needs to be done today:

Editing.

Reading.

Laundry.

I made tuna casserole, yesterday, a whole pan, so I know what I'm eating for the next little while. The hazards of cooking for one all the time. Bah. :-)

Thank Goodness It's Sunday #124...

~We had a lovely spot of rain.

~Dear friends. Couldn't make it without them.

~Anne Gracie's The Perfect Rake. A Regency romance, a little steamy, and brilliant humor. The first in the Perfect series. One of the authors who inspired me to write. My humor isn't as clever as hers, but I aspire. :-)

~Anabelle Bryant on facebook sharing gorgeous fall pictures, along with other amazing pictures, every day. A bit of inspiration and soul lifting.

~NASCAR on ABC. No, I'm not impressed with ABC, but they did broadcast the race in Charlotte so I could watch it. Yay!

My Heroes... Robert Treat Paine...

First, I love his name, his mother's maiden name. I know, not actually hero worthy, but fun.

He went to Harvard at 14. Graduated. Sailed to Europe and back again. Became a clergyman and then a lawyer. He was voted into the Continental Congress. He served there for a number of years and finally ended up a judge. He was another champion of our new nation. He did his duty because it was what he chose for himself.

Again and again, I read of these men who did what needs must.

Stressing...

...really stressing. I'm eating badly. I'm not sleeping well. I'm struggling with severe depression. I'm feeling completely out of sorts, and I can't figure out why. Or maybe it's too obvious, and I know the answer but it's a little to close. A distinct possibility. I'm getting back into the rhythm of editing. I hope it helps. I certainly need to pick up the pace. It might even be the weather. We have a storm blowing through, which usually stresses me a bit. Other little things are niggling... I really need a vacation.

This is how I'm feeling, thanks to my Funny Cat Photos widget:

Week Sixty-Eight of REAL...

Reminders: REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:
http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

RIght up front: Never in a million years could I do what is required. However, I needed to start somewhere. Considering how fit the SEALs are, I figured it was a good place to start. So my SEAL puppy reps consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. I've worked up to 33 and working at slowing it down.

For a while, I'm going to try and keep track of my weight only when it goes down. It's too easy to start from the new higher weight.

The 5th: Yes, well. Made it through the day.

The 6th: Two-mile walk. Physical therapy. Yay! Back on track.

The 7th: I'm tired. Allergies are kicking in as the temperature goes down. Something thrives in the 90s.

The 8th: SEAL puppy reps. One-mile walk. SEAL puppy reps.

The 9th: One-mile walk.

The 10th: SEAL puppy reps. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy reps.

The 11th: Weight is headed back down, though still not below the last lowest of 233. Headed there though. I'm really tired of the excess weight. It wears me out.

The first picture was taken in February 2012. The second picture was taken in June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me:

Planning ahead...

When I missed my first manuscript's submission date (I thought it was due a month later), I created a calendar to hang by my computer. It is simply each month with the title of the book written in red when it's due to the publisher and written in purple the month it's due to be published. It's been hanging there for over six months now. It's 20 months. I mark off the months with a horse sticker. Hey! You take your rewards where you can find them.

Every time I've looked at my calendar, I would think 2013 looks strangely bare. I couldn't figure out why. I'm saying it again: This calendar has been on my wall for six months. Yesterday, six months later, I finally figured it out. One of the books wasn't there.

ACK!

Okay, so it's due next June. Still, I somehow didn't have it on the calendar. It's there now. I realize everyone else thinks this is ages away; as a writer, it's right around the corner. All is right with the world.

Coming in November...

Luck in Love by Laurel Hawkes (cover) posted at Facebook...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151052733632027&set=a.10150354896047027.340762.148151277026&type=1&theater

 

In 1983, Yellowstone National Park beckons to Sara Budge. With no plans for the future, except her determination to escape the abusive habits of her past, housekeeping at Lake Hotel for the summer offers the possibility of a safe haven while she decides what to do with the rest of her life. All she wants or needs is a fresh start, but the past always catches up...

Luck Williams doesn't believe peace will ever be his again, but he can't resist the opportunity handed to him to photograph his favorite place on earth. Even caught up in the pristine beauty he is unable to escape the haunting nightmares of one horrific day. His hard won lesson regarding the fragility and capriciousness of life leaves no room for romance... but God has other plans.

Carpe diem... Talladega...

NASCAR ~ Wow... what a mess that last lap was. Carl was already a bunch of laps down from an earlier accident. Next week. :-)

For those who want to see the wreck, here's the link to Yahoo Sports:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nascar--talladega-delivers-yet-another-vicious-wreck--pitting-drivers--needs-and-fans--wants-against-each-other.html

What needs to be done today:

Start on new editing. Next book due at the end of the month.

Reading. I'm doing some catch up on new authors.

Go through the voters' guides.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday #123...

~My uncle passed away. In truth, this isn't a sad thing. He's been ready to go for a while. I can imagine there was quite the family reunion on the other side.

~Fall. Cooler weather and a change in the colors. Living where I do, I don't see much in the way of color, but there are so many thoughtful souls who share their stunning pictures. Thank you!

~Books I enjoy. Books are a lot of personal homework now. I need to know what's out there and continue to hone my personal skills for telling my own stories. It's hard when favorite authors head in new directions I don't want to go and always a joy when I run across those that inspire me.

~Dear friends who inspire me and see me through the dark moments.

~Another video shared with me by a dear friend. Mark Schultz's Remember Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5YzL-__ogo&feature=related

My Heroes... Sam Adams...

I know many advocate against career politicians, and with good reason. Having said that, this country would have suffered if term limits existed for Sam Adams. Then again, Sam Adams loved and averred liberty above all else. If all politicians were so inclined, I doubt anyone would be concerned about term limits.

He believed it better for 999 to die so 1 might live in liberty than 1,000 live in slavery. It would also be the duty of the 1 to live well and in gratitude for the privilege of living in liberty, making his life a testament to the goodness of his life because of the blessed sacrifice of those 999. Do I hold such convictions? I want to say yes, and yet, thousands have died for my right to liberty. Do I live life in such a way as to honor those who died for me to enjoy the right? I could do better, I think.

Sleeping and eating and sleeping...

I wish there was more of the sleeping thing.

It's Friday the 28th. I'm doing a bit of catch up. My sleeping schedule is off. It throws everything off.

It's a week later, October 4th. My sleeping is still weird. Eating a bit of cheese every night helps a bit. The weather is cooling off, so the A/C doesn't turn on as often. Not so good. My room ends up a bit stuffy. My hormones threw everything off. Sleeping, eating.

I've been home alone for a few days, and it's been lovely. My mini vacation is almost over. Alas.

Week Sixty-Seven of REAL...

Reminders: REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

RIght up front: Never in a million years could I do what is required. However, I needed to start somewhere. Considering how fit the SEALs are, I figured it was a good place to start. So my SEAL puppy reps consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. I've worked up to 33 and working at slowing it down.

For a while, I'm going to try and keep track of my weight only when it goes down. It's too easy to start from the new higher weight.

The 28th: SEAL puppy rep. I didn't even bother to weigh. My sleeping is weird. My hormones are a mess. 

The 29th: Two-mile walk with my sister.

The 30th: Trying to keep my head above water.

October

The 1st: SEAL puppy rep. Short walk. SEAL puppy rep.

The 2nd: Not doing well, exercise wise.

The 3rd: Weight isn't going up, but not going down either.

The 4th: I'm easing back into my routines. Not quite there, yet, but headed there.

The first picture was taken in February 2012. The second picture was taken in June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me: