Carpe Diem...

There is only one goal today:

Turn in the manuscript due: Mark's Grace.

I love this book, and it scares me at the same time.

With A Promise of Possibilities, Luck in Love, and Hidden Possibilities, they were all "obvious." One thing lead to another. I hadn't planned to write Mark's Grace so soon. My publisher had other plans. It's been a challenge. I love Grace, and I'm in love with Mark. Fun side note: Jimmy Thomas was the inspiration for Mark. When he hugged me at Glendale's Chocolate Affair, I knew I'd found the type of hero Grace needed. Someone she admired. Someone who could help her feel safe. And it didn't hurt he's gorgeous. :-)

Thank Goodness It's Sunday... #135...

~ MercyMe's I Can Only Imagine is one of my favorites, and yes, I bought it. In fact, I bought a double CD set for this song. Fortunately, I discovered some new songs to like as well, so it was a blessing all around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII

~ Thank you, God, for herbal teas, Airbourn, honey, and the makers of Tylenol and ibuprofen, all of which have helped me this week.

~ My dad being there to help me when I was too sick to drive, even though he hates driving.

~ My BFF's understanding of who I am and reminding me when I needed to hear it.

~Presents I truly wanted! Thank you! Nothing is being returned or re-gifted. ;-D

My Heroes... Tim Tebow...

Okay, I'm not an avid Tebow fan. I enjoy football. However, after reading this article, my admiration for the young man notched up more.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--no-let-up-in-senseless-attacks-of-tim-tebow-000552979.html

By the way, I have to admit, I loved the writer's style. :-)

Are you ready?

Time to dive back in...

Yeah. Sure.

Still coughing.

Voice is almost back, sort of.

Week Seventy-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 (SEALp) 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.

PT ~ Physical therapy.
UBE ~ Upper body exercises

I'm going to see if doing the facials only once a day makes any difference.

The 21st: PT. SEALp. Two-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UBE. Facial 1x

The 22nd: PT. One-mile walk. Facial 1x

The 23rd: Facial 1x

The 24th: Cough, cough, cough...

The 25th: Merry Christmas! COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! Don't mind me while I cough up a lung.

The 26th: Cough. Cough. Cough. The lung may stay in place after all.

The 27th: Cough. Cough. Cough. 

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

Breathe...

Take a moment to breathe and reflect.

Merry Christmas...

God so loved the world, He gave His only Begotten Son...

For unto us is born this day, in the City of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Carpe Diem...Christmas Eve...

On this the eve of the Savior's birth...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx6YKnwmQio

Thank Goodness It's Sunday... #134...

~ SEAL of Honor posted this video on FB ~ A Soldier's Silent Night:
http://youtu.be/eWExFTFAQzA

~ Winter weather... no snow, but delightfully chilly.

~ Wonderful friends.

~ Unexpected opportunities.

~ Christmas music.

My Heroes... My Awesome, Amazing Friends...

From my friends I've learned about love, compassion, giving, humor, sharing, courage, strength, patience, goodness, kindness, beauty, magic, wealth beyond imagining, and so much more.

I sometimes lament being alone. Being single, I must make all my own decisions. There is no one to defer to, ever. Every decision comes back to me, good or bad.

In my heart, I know there are people in the world who love me and that love ties me to them and them to me, so I can never complain that no one loves me.

I may feel unlovable, a lot, but I know it isn't true.

Another lie to toss into the rubbish heap.

Thank you to my wonderful friends who have changed my life forever. I love you.

Happy Friday...

Found on FB.

Week Seventy-Eight of REAL...

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

The 14th: PT. SEAL puppy reps. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy reps. PT. UPE. Facial 2x

The 15th: Four-mile walk with my sister. PT. Facial 2x

The 16th: Facial 2x

The 17th: PT. SEAL puppy reps. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy reps. PT. UPE. Facial 2x

The 18th: PT. Facial 2x

The 19th: PT. SEAL puppy reps. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy reps. PT. UPE. Facial 2x

The 20th: PT. Facial 2x

I'm having some trouble with my sleeping. I'm not sure what it is. The house Christmas lights help me wake up on dark mornings. I like that. My own brand of light therapy. :-)

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

Oh, look! More editing...

At least now, I'm back on schedule. Go me!

From my Funny Cat Photos widget.

And the editing goes on...

...and on and on and on...

From an email I received years ago. It still makes me smile every time I see it.

Carpe Diem...

Editing. Revising.

Reading.

Laundry.

I've seen many heartfelt tributes, from a father of one of the children, from someone who knew some of the teachers, from someone who knows someone to lives there, and from strangers.

Sweet Sugar Belle tribute to the Angels of Sandy Hook Elementary:

http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/blog/2012/12/to-the-angels-of-sandy-hook-elementary/

Thank Goodness It's Sunday... #133...

~ So grateful for our Armed Forces. Video dedication shared on FB by Honor Them and SEAL of Honor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jpf8gwkkQo&feature=plcp

~ Blessed rain.

~ Good friends who help me maintain perspective.

~ Wonderful editor with whom I work well.

~ Books that continue to inspire me.

My Heroes... Bill Whittle...

Bill Whittle is one of the contributors to PJTV. I've enjoyed the little snippets I've seen on FB. I came across a one-hour presentation he gave on November 12, 2012.

"Where do we go now?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuL41ohlfZY&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Bill Whittle is passionate about what he believes and backs his beliefs with action.

I'm learning to do this.

There are those who watch this and see a national discussion. I look at this and think: This is my life. What have I agreed to over the years that has imprisoned me? Is surrender an option? Is escape an option?

My life wasn't based on virtue. I've worked hard to change this.

Do I believe in who and what I am? I haven't. I need to own who and what I am heart and soul.

I am God's. He lead me to my writing career. I'm not perfect. He does not require perfection of me, because only He can give it to me. He requires I do my best, and when I mess up I acknowledge it and repent and continue on.

From Impossible Things...

Joel Runyon shared a guest post. This is something for me to consider when I have more time. I definitely want to explore deeper:

http://joelrunyon.com/two3/how-to-do-so-many-diverse-and-awesome-things-that-people-will-want-to-punch-you-in-the-face

Right now, I'm busy with work, both kinds, and lots of it. A chance to breathe is coming, but not yet.

Week Seventy-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.

This week I'm adding upper body exercises, just a few little things taking less than 3 minutes.

The 7th: PT. SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy rep. PT. Facial 2x

The 8th: Four-mile walk. PT. Facial 2x

The 9th: Facial 2x

The 10th: PT. SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy rep. PT. UPE. Facial 2x

The 11th: PT. Facial 2x

The 12th: PT. SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy rep. PT. UPE. Facial 2x

The 13th: PT. Facial 2x I like the facials. My skin is sooooo soft. 

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