A book is born!

To see Annette Lyons contest giveaway's, click here!

Okay...I tried to post the trailer and it wont work! I am the techno-idiot I guess! I don't know what I'm doing wrong! Does it count anyway since I've been trying to figure it out all morning?

If at first you don't succeed, use the tried and true.

Like I said, do what works. As some of you may know, I have been trying for a long time to lose weight. Yes, to those of you who would say, "You look fine," yes, I look fine, but I am over weight just a bit.

I know this because we just changed life insurance companies and our cute little agent asked my husband how tall he is and how much he weighs. Then it's my turn. I tell him my height, and then I say, "If you think I'm gonna tell you how much I weigh, you're insane."

He laughed of course. I did give him a weight I was comfortable with, but it was twenty two pounds lighter than I really am. (ya, I am aware that I lied, but please...who wouldn't?) He told me that he guessed I was close to that. (What ditzes men are! lol) He knew I wasn't giving him an accurate number, but if I was between 135 and another number (which I was over, but he didn't know that) that I was fine and healthy. That means...I'm overweight. What a blow to my self esteem. (which I already knew)

It was then and there that I decided to use the only diet that has ever worked for me. The South Beach Diet. A long time ago, I had not wanted to try this one. I didn't like the name. It sounded like some biki babe, bleach blond diet from plastic surgeryville. But then, I saw the book on a book shelf, pulled it off and began reading. I was amazed. It was a heart doctor who came up with it. It's called the South Beach Diet because that's where he lives. In South Beach, Florida.

Long story short...it's the only one that works on my body. For the last two years I have been trying to lose weight with the theory that if I burn more than I eat, I'll lose. You know what? That doesn't work for me. I know...I've tried for a VERY long time.

Now, I didn't want to do the SBD because I hate limiting which foods I can eat, but hey, use what works. So, for the first two weeks, at least, I eat no dairy, no bread, no starches and no fruits. That's the hard one. I could live on fruit alone. It really hasn't been as bad as I first thought it would be. It starts this way to kill the Candida that all people have. Candida is what makes us addicted to sugar. I LOVE SUGAR!!! (maybe I'm addicted!)

So, I've been doing it for five days. I weighed myself for the first time in five days and guess what...I've lost five pounds. Do you know how long I have been trying to lose just five pounds? Anyway, after two weeks to a month, you start adding foods back in, but that first month of just proteins and low starch veggies gets old. Oh well. It works for me and I feel great on it. I can't tell you how much "cleaner" my body feels just not eating dairy and bread. Who knew?

Side note: remember to drink lots of water and to take your vitamins and Stemenhance every day! =)

Walkin' in a winter wonderland

I did not get what I ordered! Yesterday, the sun shone, spring was just barely opening it's tired eyes, and I was looking forward to sun, and flowers.

Today, I open my door to over six inches of snow covering my porch and it still continues it's cascade. Hello? Punksatony Phil! For pete's sake! So you didn't see your shadow. Big deal! It doesn't mean we need to start December all over again.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love the snow most of the time, but dang! I was just getting spring fever. Just getting ready to plant flowers and gardens and mow lawn.

Instead, I'll stay tucked inside my little haven, reading, writing and soaking in a hot bath...which is also nice!

Writer's Digest writing competittion

I am taking an online writing course. I have to admit, I have really enjoyed it and have learned quite a bit from my instructor who was a professional editor for a lot of years. She is pretty blunt and very strict. I was told that if I ever went over the word count, she'd send my assignment back uncorrected. There are other instructors who aren't so strict, but I really like her, so I kept her. I like people who don't beat around the bush. Even if it hurts at first, I would still rather have someone get straight to the point.

Progressively, her comments on my assignments have gotten more and more positive, with fewer and fewer mistakes to correct. LOVE THAT! lol

So, this last time, she sent me a flyer about the Writer's Digest Writing competition! Woo hoo! I definitely want to enter it. The grand prize winner gets a trip to New York with one on one meetings with top publishers! There is no guarantee that they will represent the winner, but hello? Just getting noticed would be huge! So I will enter a few short stories and see what hapapens. I'll let you know!

For more info on this competition, click here!

Spring fever

Do you ever feel blah? Have you ever checked your blog over and over to see if anyone has commented, but your post is so old that you know no one has? Yet, feel too blah to write anything new?

That is how I feel today. This doesn't mean I'm having a bad day. On the contrary, it's been a great day. I have cleaned house, went to a program for Heidi, started a new story, and played a little wow. Not to mention...washed and folded three batches of laundry!

I actually feel great when I get a lot done, but I still feel blah. I hate that.

I need some action. Maybe I'm stir crazy. I feel spring coming and I'm getting antsy. Oh, I forgot to mention that I reorganized both upstairs bathrooms. ALL TODAY! lol

So, maybe that's all it is. Spring fever! I love spring fever! Woo hoo! I didn't even realize that that was what I was feeling! Now I'm happy. No more blah. Thank heavens for blogging.