Gnome de Plume

Weighty Wednesday -- Those Last Five Pounds!

2012-02-15T06:00:00.001-06:00

I finally hit MINUS 41 POUNDS!!

Er, I've been flirting with the forty pound mark (both sides) for months now, and tell you what, I'm sick and tired of it!

When I went to WW today, my leader asked me whether or not I had a weight goal set. And my comment was that I did and these last six pounds were the worst! Two of the life timers within my range of vision were nodding their heads. Good to know that I'm not alone in this.

I listed off the factors that I think contributed to this:

1) I used to weigh around this weight range for years

2) my body is stabilizing

3) Though I'm exercising, I've probably converted all the fat I can at this current pace of calorie burning

4) I've become lazy with tracking

5) I've stopped weighing and measuring

So what needs to happen?

I need to shake things up--yes, we've already had this conversation, but obviously I wasn't paying attention at the time.

There are a few things that play to my advantage:

1) Ash Wednesday is next week; the start of the Lenten season, in which, I'm giving up alcohol (wine and Bailey's mainly) and sugar (candy and desserts). Forty days to buckle down and focus.

2) Spring is coming. I'll be out doing more yard work and spending more time outside instead of inside trolling for food

3) It is warmer and it's staying lighter longer. And I'm taking advantage of this by adding a second walk during the day.

My goal is to reach 130 pounds by Feb. 29th, then I'll have six weeks of maintenance to do during Lent. With diligence, I should make lifetime by May/June.

Does this mean the weight challenge is over?

Oh, no--It just means I've won the first battle, the war will continue my entire life.

Later, Peeps!

The Small Stuff

2012-02-14T08:21:00.000-06:00

I had a lot on my mind today when I went on my walkies. None of the problems were biggies, just the little piddly stuff that tends to be bothersome: lack of motivation in weight loss (stagnant for WEEKS), poor choices made by kidlet (her grounding is over today. I probably could/should write a blog), the fact I probably won't ever make any money selling my stories (hubby did taxes last night), the fact that I'm sprouting a couple of pimples (I'm 50, for Pete's sake! Sorry, kiddies, you will still get pimpies when you're older--only now you'll have a batch of wrinkles to go with them!), that I forgot it was Valentine's day (oops!),or how to play nice while judging contest entries (two down, three to go!).

I was about at the halfway point in my walk when I noticed a V-shaped flock of geese coming in for a landing about 25 yards away. There's a plot of land in front of a hotel that has been kept mowed in preparation for some sort of development. The geese were coming in a little high, so as one (very Borg-like, don't you think?) they changed their minds. They rose higher and circled to the right, and as they came around, they crossed over their original landing line and circled left. I lost them in the fog and figured they went a mile down the 'pike to the land surrounding a junior college.

I was wrong.

They came in for a perfect landing. Touching down and tucking their wings with one motion. About 2/3 of the 17 birds started grazing, while the rest stood watch.

It made me realize that when you don't succeed at something the first time, maybe you should approach the problem from a different direction.

I still have all the little issues to deal with, but all of them are very small problems in the big picture of life.

Enjoy the little things God has given you and, to borrow a phrase, don't sweat the small stuff.

Later, Peeps!

Contest Judging

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

At the end of last year, I signed up to judge a couple of contests for this year. Well, I got my first packet last week . . . and it doesn't look good.

I have managed to spend every single day last week avoiding reading those entries. Oh, I read them enough to see if I recognized any of them. One I had judged in 2011, so I returned it. I should have kept it to judge again, but 1) it was a good entry, 2) the replacement entry wasn't going to be fun.

I've tried reading the entries, but each one of them has seriously stopped me in my tracks. All of them are bad, but for different reasons.

One was so overwritten that it was just uncomfortable and awkward to read--headache inducing actually.

Another one was a huge mess of steampunk/alternate history/sci-fi space opera that I didn't know what to think.

Another one was a flip-flopped ghost story. I still can't figure that one out. It might be a pair of alternate realities overlapping that the "real" character thinks the other one is a ghost. Call me confused.

The last two seem interesting. Why is it that I always unintentionally save the good ones for last?
Now I know which one's I'll be reading first. At least one of them. I have to break up the hideousness.

Anyhoo, since I have to take the kidlet to swim every night, I might as well do something other than reading. I'm charging up my netbook and then I'll load these contest entries to judge.

Even though I haven't judged a contest since last October, I know I can do it. I don't have much choice since I signed up to judge another contest and the entries are expected to arrive the week of February 19.

Ye-ah. . .

Hopefully I'll have a Weighty Wednesday post for you provided I haven't stuck a hot poker in my eye from the pain of these entries.

Later, Peeps!

Oh, and by the way, I'm actually pretty nice with my comments. I just complain on my blog. And no matter how nice of a judge you are, someone's feelings will always get hurt because this story is their baby. And no one wants to be told that their baby is U-G-L-Y.

New Beginning

2012-02-11T13:54:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I rewrote the first two chapters of FOR WHOM THE BELL TROLLS, 6000 words so far. This next week, I'll rework chapter three, blending it into the remainder of the story, which just needs basic editing, not rewriting.

I had posted a short blurb of TROLL in the back of THE FAST AND THE FAERIEOUS, but now it's different.

Do y'all think I need to put the new beginning in as a teaser? Or should I not worry about it?

I think the new beginning is better, BUT it doesn't have the immediate action from the teaser. I can still use the teaser in another section of the story, but I'm waffling.

Any input would be welcome! Writers or Readers, Please!

FOODIE FRIDAY -- Irish Cream Liqueur

2012-02-10T06:00:00.007-06:00

This is the second time that I’ve come across this recipe, so I decided to make it since I happened to have all ingredients. When I made this version, I followed the recipe with the exception of the whiskey. I didn’t have Irish Whiskey; I had Devil’s Cut Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. It wasn’t quite the same. When I pour up a small (1 oz) serving, I want the smooth creaminess of the original version. And this final product had a little too much bite for me. I also enjoy the Caramel version of this product, so I squeezed a couple of Tablespoons of Caramel Sauce and added more cream into the final version.
*I'll post my actual changes in blue.*

Homemade Irish Cream (tastes like Bailey's)

1 cup heavy cream -- 1 1/2 cup

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
1 2/3 cup Irish Whiskey -- bourbon whiskey
1 tsp. instant coffee
2 Tbls. Hershey’s chocolate syrup -- 3 Tbls.
1 tsp. vanilla extract -- 2 tsp.
1 tsp. almond extract
3 Tbls. caramel syrup

Combine in blender. Sample product-- Add more cream to cut the bite of the whiskey. Bottle tightly and store in refrigerator. Shake before using. Good for 2 months.

Makes about 5 cups/900 mls.

Enjoy, Peeps! I know I ~~will~~ DID!

Where is Margaret??

2012-02-09T06:00:00.003-06:00

Originally, I didn't plan to post today, 1) it was Thursday, 2) I didn't really have anything to say about this procedure that I'm having.

But then I changed my mind.

In 2011, I turned 50. In America, most doctors want their patients to have a colonoscopy when they turn 50 to detect colorectal cancer. I saw my doctor and we set up an appointment--today is the day.

Personally, I'd rather find out now if I have cancer than waiting until I show the symptoms of cancer, by then the prognosis is poor and the treatment is far more drastic.

It happened to one of my husband's employees. She was 43 when she died. Cancer ran in her family and she had a colonoscopy. The first doctor found cancer. She had a second opinion, the second doctor said she had diverticulitis. She opted for the second doctor's opinion and treatment. A year later, she found out that doctor was wrong. Two years after that, she died.

If I can live with a little discomfort during the preparation for this test then I will. Cancer doesn't run in my family, diabetes does, but that doesn't mean I couldn't be the first.

Yep, I'm not looking forward to the prep--*looks at watch* due to start in five minutes. But I will be looking forward to the peace of mind I'll have when it's over. If cancer is found, then we can address that issue, but I'd rather know . . .

Wouldn't you?

Weighty Wednesday -- What is CORE? And why do I care?

2012-02-08T06:00:00.006-06:00

**DISCLAIMER: I am not a trainer, doctor, exercise physiologist or any other person who has been trained in the field of exercise physiology. These are simply my observations and various tidbits of knowledge that I've garnered over the years through college studies, teaching aerobics, general exercise, reading and horseback riding. **

Unless you've played an ostrich the last couple of years, you would have heard various exercise enthusiasts and trainers throwing the term CORE around.

So what is core, why is it big deal, and why should you care?

Many trainers will liken the term with strengthening your abs, but core is much, much more than that.

Let's take a quick look into basic human physiology. The bones provide the structure of our bodies, the joints (cartilage) allow various bones to 'hinge' and move, while tendons attach our muscles to bones or other muscles. If you remove our appendages, you will be left with your torso, also known as your core.

Now, you have your ribcage which protects your vital organs of heart and lungs, while nothing protects your guts except a variety of overlapping muscles. And the bones below your gut is the pelvis, which cradles the guts and give support to the muscles surrounding the intestines.

The reason you want to straighten your core is to keep everything in place. If you allow your abdominal muscles to grow lax, then all sorts of problems (hernias) can ensue. Yes, pregnancy also causes numerous changes, but I can't go into that here. Another reason to strengthen your core is to aid in the support of your spine.

So your mother telling you to stop slumping actually had a purpose of protecting your posture and spine.

Years ago when I started horseback riding, I read a book called CENTERED RIDING by Sally Swift. The key to being centered is to find the most balance and effective position, depending upon the exercise. This is the reason so many therapeutic riding facilities are so successful with their clients, though many are going out of business due to lack of funds. When a horse walks, its entire body moves. Those of us who have ridden bareback and attest to that! If you are a stiff rider, you will feel the pain . . . especially when you tumble off. But those of you who have a well-developed core will allow your body to work with the movement in a relaxed way.

When a horse trots up hill, the rider must lean slightly forward and stand in their stirrups to aid the horse as it uses its back and haunches to push up the hill. Traveling downhill, the rider must shift her weight toward the rear of the horse. If you leaned forward, there would be too much weight on the horse's front end, resulting in unbalancing the horse.

So how does this work with real life?

A strong core burns calories more efficiently, along with stabilizing the body. This is why I prefer walking outdoors where the variety of the terrain forces my core to compensate--incline, decline, strong wind, uneven terrain.

Many people who use the treadmill do NOT use the machine appropriately. And yes, I have another whole blog about this!

But how can you get the benefit of core exercise without doing endless sit-ups?

There is one simple exercise that is amazingly painful and efficient. It's called THE PLANK. And here is a picture of what it looks like. Simply get into position and hold it, be sure to tighten your abs so they don't sag. That's it. Simple, huh? At about 10 seconds my entire body is shaking. But try to do this and hold it for 30 seconds daily.

There is another version of the plank that helps your side muscles. Do this on both sides. Uh, I'm not so studly that I can put my free hand on my waist. Usually I have it lightly touching the ground in front of me to keep me from falling over.

When I started searching the Internet for some pictures, I came across numerous sites with many advance versions of this exercise. Start easy and then work up from there.

Will this give you six-pack abs?

No, but at my age, I don't want them. Actually, they would be just plain creepy on an old broad like me! But I do want to be toned and healthy. So I better get out of my chair and do a set of planks for the day!

Later, Peeps!

Whiny-butt sicky . . .

2012-02-06T06:00:00.002-06:00

I hate to be a whiny butt, but I've been sick. Wah!!

I don't "DO" sick well, kinda like many males of our species. Usually, I just want to be left alone to wallow in my misery . . . though that is unlike most males who want to be cosseted.

Anyhoo, I've felt like something the cat killed, buried, dug up and ate before puking it up again. Everything hurts--joints, muscles, head, nose, you name it, it probably hurts. I've tried meds, but nothing works. Saturday night I got three hours of sleep and I was seriously excited!

I even took a test to see if this was a cold or the flu to see what I had.
It's a cold . . . I changed a few of my symptoms and still got a cold. That's what I get for giving my sick kidlet a couple of bizzous (kisses) when she was sick. Yep, the little snotter gave it to me, well, actually she gave it to daddy who gave it to me. I think I'm about a day behind him.

I'm ready to get back to normal. I made the mistake of trying to read a couple of contest entries . . . they were bad, really bad. I'm hoping that it was because I'm sick and not because they were inferior entries. Guess I'll have to get better before I try to judge those entries again.

I'm not looking forward to Tuesday's weigh-in. It doesn't bode well considering I've been eating 'comfort' food with nary a veg in sight! Maybe I'll wait to weigh until after a 'procedure' I'm scheduled to have on Thursday.

...let's just say that I'm on a liquid diet on Wednesday and have to take meds to 'clean out my system' . . ye-ah. . . joyful, joyful. This is looking like a fun-filled week.

Well, I don't have anything to add, so . . .

Later, Peeps!

FOODIE FRIDAY -- Italian Drip Beef

2012-02-03T06:00:00.003-06:00

Again, I’ve taken a recipe and made it my own. The original of this recipe was from The Pioneer Woman’s blog, but I adapted this to Italian Drip Beef in a crockpot.

Italian Drip Beef

1 2.5 to 4 lb. Chuck Roast

2 onions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
¼ cup soy sauce
1 cup dry sherry
2 cups beef broth
3 Tbls. Italian seasoning

Place ingredients in crock pot with the meat on top of the onions and garlic. Cook for 8-10 hours on low. Shred meat, remove the remaining fat and discard. Return meat to crockpot, cook on low for ½-1 hour.

Cut and toast deli rolls. Add provolone cheese and broil until bubbly, top with desired amount of meat. Add pepperoncini or dip in au jus, if desired.

Enjoy!

Kyte Webber's Facebook Page

2012-02-02T06:00:00.008-06:00

Yesterday, I was feeling a mite low. I think my kidlet gave me a cold. *shakes fist* Those darn kids! All of them are bacteria-breeding machines!

Anyway, I was working on my TROLL edits and realized that my buddy, Kyte, needed to have a Facebook page. So I made one. She won't be linking this blog to her page or vice versa --unless she has some truly pithy comments about stuff. She will post random and totally unrelated thoughts, a la Kyte. I plan to put her brain dumps on there, but I won't actively try to get followers, er, except the first time.

Here's her page link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kyte-Webber-the-Goblins-Apprentice/376474005701975

Here's an example of her status updates:

Crappy day at school--check. Nerd alert activated by sitting behind bus driver--check. Accident delays bus ride from school--check. Dense fog descends--*creepy* check. Hair stands up on neck--check. Ambush happens--check. Think it's my goblin mentor testing me, but instead it's a two-headed troll -- oh, fizznuts . . .
Like her if you want, or not. This is more for me to keep in character.

Later, Peeps!

Weighty Wednesday -- Plateaus: Good, Evil or simply Frustrating?

2012-02-01T06:00:00.002-06:00

Everyone who has gained and lost weight has also experienced plateaus. By the Weight Watcher definition, a plateau is where there isn't a weight loss over a four week period.

I've been on a semi-plateau since Thanksgiving. I haven't stayed the same, instead I've lost/gained/lost/gained, etc. When I gain, it's usually less than the amount that I originally lost, which provides for an overall weight loss. The only way to verify this is by plotting my weight chart. overall there is a decrease in the chart, though not very dramatic.

Plateaus are a normal part of losing weight, and there are numerous reasons for them, which is why I think they are good, though frustratingly evil.

I will point out that I haven't done an in-depth scientific study, instead these are just my observations.

Why do I think plateaus are good?

Plateaus show an ability to MAINTAIN a certain weight
Plateaus happen when the body adjusts to a new weight after a weight loss
Plateaus happen when a body loses weight and stabilizes at a previously stable lower weight

The body wants and needs to stabilize at a weight before it has the ability to lose more weight. Plateaus can happen at any stage of the weight loss journey. But think about it. Your body will lose weight in the same pattern as it gained weight. If you plateaued while gaining weight, it would make sense that you will plateau while LOSING weight. For example: Prior to my gaining so much weight, I weighed in the range of 135-145 lbs for YEARS. It only makes sense that my body was/is happy at within that weight range.

Plateaus are evil and frustrating.

. . . er, YES.

Eventually, if you maintain your low/balanced healthy diet along with exercise, you will eventually start losing weight again. But the problem is we want it NOW. Humans don't have the patience to wait.

So when you reach a plateau and you want off it, then you need to do something to jump start it.

exercise--increase time or intensity
diet--track, track, track, and decrease the carbs and add more fiber, which means more fruit and veg while decreasing refined grains.
Overall eat less food

I'm happy with my current exercise program and if I try to increase it, I'm afraid I'll burn out.

I should track better, but I don't want to go there again at this point in my weight lose journey.

I have a goal to reach my goal weight (130 lbs) by the end of February. And I think I can do it, but if I don't seem to be getting there, I'll kick it into gear around Feb. 14th.

I REFUSE to regain the weight I've lost. PERIOD.

Plateaus happen. It's how you deal with them is what counts. If you freak out and start eating, then you need to buckle down and rethink your plan. Or you can learn from them, realizing that plateaus happen and if you keep to the program eventually you'll start losing weight again.

Later, Peeps!

Oh! The Hats People Wear!

2012-01-30T06:00:00.001-06:00

All of us wear numerous hats throughout the day (mom, parent, chauffeur, tutor, laundress, chef, etc), but I'm talking hat hats here. When I go for my morning walk, I do NOT look like I stepped out of a Nike ad. Oh, no, I look like a . . . dare I say it? I look like a ragamuffin.

ragamuffin (n) (1581) a ragged often disreputable person.

I layer clothes to keep warm. And when the Oklahoma wind is blowing, it can get downright cold. So to that end, my wonderful daughter has allowed me to wear the pair of earmuffs Santa brought her for Christmas 2010.

front view

side view

Now these earmuffs have generated smiles and comments from people, but last week was the first time I was ever yelled at out of a car window. Why, you wonder?

Well, these earmuffs are pretty darn cute!

I'm not much of a hat wearer. I had to wear a hard hat every time I jumped my horse, and when you have uber-fine hair it isn't a pretty picture when you remove the aforementioned hard hat.

And yes, I do have a seriously cute hard hat. I can't wear it at a horse show, but I can wear it when I'm merely hacking a horse around. Who doesn't love Mickey Mouse??

Riding hard hat

Anyhoo, my kidlet also got a few other hats that I've contemplated taking away from her if/when she gets bored with them. I think I could be persuaded to wear them. The first is courtesy of Phineas and Ferb cartoons on Disney--Perry the Platypus, family pet and secret agent P.

Perry the Platypus

And the second hat--and mittens!--were bought in Banff Canada.

Yeti hat and mittens

So . . . do y'all have a favorite?

Foodie Friday -- Tacos

2012-01-27T11:01:00.001-06:00

Originally, I had nothing for y'all since we were eating lefties and making quickie meals all week, such as taco meat and Wanchai Ferry Orange chicken. Package meals serve their purpose provided you add your own meat and veg. That way you have control over the quality and quantity of the added ingredients. Some of you might not have as large of a selection of spices that I do and McCormick has a few new products that provide you with the herbs and spices needed to make a particular dish. All you have to do is add the meat and veg.

Yes, you can simply buy a package of taco seasoning, but then you have to try different products to see which one works for you (I'm a fan of McCormick's HOT taco seasoning). Or you can make your own. I tend to double it and make 2 pounds of taco meat because it freezes well. Try to find 90% lean ground beef or less. I've never tried ground turkey, but with all the seasonings in it your family probably wouldn't know the difference unless you told them!

Taco Meat

1 lb. ground beef

1 Tbls. dried minced onion

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

3 Tbls. chili powder

1/2 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. salt

cayenne pepper

3/4 cup water

Brown ground beef, drain fat. Add onion and spices, stir to coat. Add water and bring to simmer. Cook mixture, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Adjust seasonings according to taste.

We tend to leave it a little on the wet side instead of cooking until dry.

All you need are crispy tacos or flour tortillas, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and salsa. Enjoy!

Weighty Wednesday -- Walking Works!

2012-01-25T06:00:00.005-06:00

I'm a HUGE fan of my outdoor walkies. Love, love, love them! But along with getting some much needed fresh air, sunshine, and all sorts of nature, I'm also burning calories and toning my entire body!

Don't give me the crazy eye. I know what I'm talking about . . . well, actually I know just enough to be dangerous, but that's another story. Yes, you too can tone your muscles without ever going to the gym! It doesn't take much, except a conscious effort to tighten your muscles while you walk. If you go to a gym, then you'll tone your body, but not quite in the same way, in my opinion.

I'll break it down for you.

PACE -- I tried jogging numerous times over my lifetime, but I can't do it. If it isn't my lungs (asthma), then I manage to injure myself because I jog too quickly (last time it was left groin and knee and right ankle). But I'm a quick walker. In fact, I've been known to walk as fast as some people jog. The one time that I went to the gym in the last 8 months, I comfortably walked at 4.0 mph, which is about a 15-minute mile. I didn't start off this fast, nearly, but not quite. If you have to start off slowly, then do it, but ALWAYS break a sweat when you are at the 10 minute mark. If your pits aren't sweating then you aren't trying hard enough! And you should be breathing a little more heavily than normal. Slowly increase your pace until your body is having to work hard, which in turn, burns calories.

TERRAIN -- A treadmill has one surface--a moving rubber mat. Period. Boring . . . An outdoor walk gives you a variety of terrain: asphalt, cement, gravel, grass, sand, dry leaves and plain old dirt. I don't know about your walks, but the path I follow isn't nice and even like a treadmill (boring). For the most part, I walk on asphalt, but it isn't level--most paths have a little bit of an angle away from the center to aid water drainage. The path I walk is cracked due to normal temperature issues. Cement has the same issues. Grass gives you a little more padding, but you have to deal with ruts, grass tufts and a variety of uneven textures. Sand, leaves and gravel move when you step on it. It slips and slides from under your feet, forcing your center CORE to compensate, which in turn, you tighten your muscles to keep from falling.

INCLINE/DECLINE -- Depending on the degree of incline/decline, your body will have to adjust to maintain a stable central point. When walking up a moderate incline, I tend to keep the same pace and stride length, but tighten my abs as my upper body tilts slightly into the hill. A steep incline will result in a shorter stride length with more thrust from your hamstrings and gluts on your uphill leg, while your quads (front part of thigh) will stretch on your downhill leg. Walking a decline forces you to tighten your gluts, abs and back muscles as your center of balance shifts to the rear.

WEATHER -- I will walk in heat, cold and wind, but I won't walk in rain unless I miss timed my walkies, or snow and ice, which is just dangerous. RE: rain--I'll try to time my walk in-between storms if at all possible, but I have walked in the rain with an umbrella before. Uh, it doesn't work so well when you add an Oklahoma wind to the equation. Rain, frost (on grass) and humidity will cause most surfaces to become slick, which adds another benefit to your walk as your body is constantly adjusting to balance. Wind is a big factor in your muscle toning. Walking into a strong headwind is the equivalent to walking up an incline. You tighten your abs as you angle your upper body into the wind. A tailwind will try to push your feet out from under you, so you lean ever so slightly backwards. And the fun one--sideways wind gusts. You're walking along minding your own business when a gust of wind tries to knock you sideways, you do a weird little sidestep as your body compensates for the wind.

These four factors can help you tone your muscles, but what about those days when you're on the treadmill or your walk is not exciting? That's when you think about your muscles as you use them.

1. Posture -- chin up, shoulders back, stomach tight. Be proud of who you are. And yes, at first everything will jiggle and wiggle, but by exercising those abs you will be toning and tightening your CORE.

2. Think about each step and tighten the appropriate muscles. Remember your thighs and gluts. They are the big muscles doing all the work--make them work a little harder by adding a little more thought into squeezing them. My butt 'shelf' used to talk to my jiggly tummy, but not any longer!

3. Carry an aluminium water bottle. My bottle holds three cups of water, which equals to 24 ounces, which equals to 1 1/2 pounds! Yes, you are toning your arms without realizing it!

And there you have it. You, too, can walk and tone without ever belonging to a gym or doing a bench press!

Later, Peeps!

SHAREing

2012-01-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

I know many times you'll read a blog post or a comment on Facebook and you'll click the LIKE button, or sometimes you'll post a comment.

But have you ever thought about the SHARE button?

So many times, people only click the SHARE button when a picture or post has been shared a gazillion times, but what about those tiny flashes of insight that hit home? You click LIKE, but what if you SHAREd it with your FB friends? Or perhaps you have one particular person who would benefit from the comment? Or you know of one group of people who would appreciate the status update. Would you share with that group?

For example: Perhaps you live in a town that has a special promotion, but you only want to share that promotion with a small group of your FB friends, mainly those who reside in that town. Well, you can provided you have your peeps grouped accordingly.

Or: You are on a weight loss journey and want to share some insights another person posted on FB, then don't copy and paste . . . that's just stealing, but instead click SHARE. Then you can post it to an individual or your entire cast of FB friends (scroll down arrow gives numerous options) along with a comment as to why you wanted to share this insight with others.

Or: you happen to be reading a blog post and it resonates with you. You want to SHARE that post on Twitter, Google+, or Facebook, then you can by simply clicking the buttons at the end of each blog post. It will post on your Pages.

So next time you are ready to click the LIKE button, maybe the post or status update is something you might want to SHARE with others.

Just something to think about, my friends.

Doppelgänger

2012-01-23T06:00:00.011-06:00

I've been meaning to write this blog for some time, but never got around to it.

So what is a doppelgänger?

According to my Webster's dictionary it's -- the ghostly counterpart of a living person, or a double, or an alter ego.

And yes, there are numerous books about doppelgängers, but my question is . . .

Have you ever run into one?

I have--my nephew's doppelgänger.

I've also heard that I have a doppelgänger . . . here . . . in my own town. And that's also where I've seen my nephew's doppelgänger.

My first encounter was last summer when I started walking on my usual trail and I passed a young man who I thought was my nephew. He was tall, nicely built with youth's muscles (shirtless, wearing only jogging shorts and shoes), and a cute smile. Now, I thought it strange that he was jogging in my part of town, considering he lives in a town on the other side of Tulsa. I said, "Hi!" and he said, "I wondered if I would run into you." Er, he was literally running in the opposite direction so I didn't think much of it. I commented on Facebook, but my nephew didn't respond. Eventually I talked to my brother (his father) and found out my nephew didn't come home that weekend. He was at college a couple hours away.

*cue eerie music*

Turns out, my nephew's doppelgänger also goes to school at Oklahoma University. He found out about this other guy from friends who said they greeted him, but he ignored them.

The next time I saw the doppelgänger, I was walking on the trail and he was riding a bike--the opposite way again. But this time I was paying attention. It was cold, so he was wearing a heavy coat, but it didn't cover up his facial features. The doppelgänger had wavy brown hair--parted on the same side, brown eyes, similar nose, nice orthodontist-straightened teeth and a few acne scars . . . just like my nephew.

I FB'd my nephew and he commented that he needed to 'take care of his doppelgänger'. He was joking, of course, but I would love to see his face if he ever met him.

It turns out I have a doppelgänger, too. I learned about her at the State Fair in September. We had stopped at the TPD (Tulsa Police Department) booth and both cops on duty did a double take. Turns out there is a police sergeant who looks like me.

I wonder if my nephew's doppelgänger and mine are related, too.

In a world where there are roughly 7 billion people, it doesn't come as a surprise that there are a few doppelgängers around. What I find really surprising is that two pairs of us live within a few miles of each other.

Even with the gazillion DNA combinations, it isn't surprising that there would be some almost duplicates. National Geographic has even started a Genographic Project mapping how and where our origins populated the world.

Interesting, isn't it.

Would you like to meet your doppelgänger?

I wouldn't mind meeting her. I just hope she doesn't tick off some criminal element who decides to come after me! :-P

Later, Peeps

A Typical Friday Night

2012-01-21T06:42:00.000-06:00

This is how we spend a typical Friday night. We are such big partiers--American Pickers and Overhaulin' were the TV choices of the night, with a little Diners, Drive-ins and Dives thrown in during the commercials!

Kidlet, Maggie dog, Hubster

Notice there isn't any room for me?
Yeah . . .

FOODIE FRIDAY -- Lentil Stew with Hot Italian Sausage

2012-01-20T06:00:00.002-06:00

There’s only one reason to like cold weather, and it comes under the category of SOUPS and STEWS.

I had lentils. I had ham. I had three recipes. What more could I ask for?

Well, I decided to make this stoup (stew/soup) in the crock pot because I knew I would be in and out all day on Monday, which was Martin Luther King Day and the kidlet was out of school. But, which recipe?

I decided to do a combination of all three recipes, and this is the result of my endeavor. And no, I didn’t use the ham . . . I opted for the hot Italian sausage from the freezer.

*soak the lentils overnight* I didn’t do that and they were . . . um, slightly crunchy.*

Lentil Stew with Hot Italian Sausage

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
4 small new potatoes, diced
1 Tbls. salt
½ tsp. pepper
½ tsp. thyme
2 tsp. ground savory
2 bay leaves
1 lb. hot Italian sausage, casings removed and broken up
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 lb brown lentils, rinsed, sorted and soaked
5 cups chicken broth

Place all ingredients into crockpot. Turn on high for 2 hours. Stir. Turn to low for 6-8 hours. Taste for seasoning and adjust to taste.

To make it more soup-y use only ½ lb lentils (1/2 bag).

Enjoy!

The Forty Pound Hurdle

2012-01-19T06:00:00.002-06:00

When I decided to blog about my weight loss journey, I told myself that I would be totally honest

And I am.

I may seem upbeat about my journey, but that doesn't mean I didn't have tough days or setbacks. I do. Many of them I shared with you. It's all a normal part of the journey as we tread the path back to our health. My triggers and issues aren't your triggers and issues.

Though we each walk the path alone, it doesn't have to be lonely. If sharing my hints and suggestions helps you along your path, then I'm a happy camper.

But one thing I am is realistic. And I think it was this attitude that kept me focused.
Here's my first reality check.

It took me almost 2 1/2 months to jump the hurdle of the 40 pound loss mark. This weight loss isn't celebrated by Weight Watchers, but I think it should be.

Trust me, that's a long time to keep the faith.

I gained, lost, gained and lost weight so many times during this period, coming close to losing 40 pounds, but then failing the next week
November and December was crazy, starting with my kidlet's birthday mid-November
the holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas AND New Year's Eve
candy making
present buying
family visiting
cooking for the holidays
family home = eating more meals
overall stress of the season
fewer hours of sunlight
colder weather = difficulty in exercising
I was at a weight that I used to maintain for many, many years
I had never had to lose 40 pounds before
I stopped tracking my food
I stopped measuring and weighing my food

#12 If you maintained a weight for years, your body recognizes that weight and will tend to plateau. When on a plateau, you have to jump start your loss again either through increased exercise or stricter food intake.

#13 I've lost 10, 20 and even 30 pounds before, but never this much weight. It's a mental block, more than a weight block

#14 I still don't track my food, BUT I KNOW THAT I CAN EAT ONLY ONE REAL MEAL A DAY. The other meals must be smoothie, fruit and/or salad. And no, I'm not starving myself. I'm just not hungry. If I tried to eat numerous small meals a day, I would be grazing and ultimately regain my lost weight. This method is not 'approved', but if it works for me, then who's to argue with the outcome??

#15 Last week, I made lasagne. I KNEW the slice my hubby had cut was way too large, I cut it in half and filled over half my plate with salad. I didn't weigh it, but I would guess it was around 5 oz. Awareness goes a long way. And even though I don't actively weigh and measure, periodically I will and it resets my ability to recognize serving sizes.

I have been listening to my body by eating slowly and stopping when I feel satisfied. Part of the reason that I'm doing this is because when I get to goal and Lifetime. I need to be able to do this.

I'm six pounds from my goal weight (130), and four pounds from the top number of a healthy weigh range for my height (132). And when I reach my goals, I'll still be here fighting the good fight on a daily basis. I knew November and December would be tough, but I worked it out. Acknowledging those challenging times is the first step on your journey.

Remember, instead of living to eat, I'll be eating to live.

It's a mindset, my friends, and one that took me many years to discover.
. . . so it IS possible to teach an old dog new tricks!

Later, Peeps!

Weighty Wednesday -- Want to Biggie Size?

2012-01-18T06:00:00.009-06:00

Good news first!

I finally hit the minus 40 POUND mark! YAY! I have lost 41.2 pounds since 6/19/11. Only six more pounds until I hit my goal weight of 130 pounds!

Western civilization might be ahead of the game in many areas, but it's sad to say that we are #1 in the rate of obesity. I won't be quoting statistics (because I find them dry and boring), but simple observation should do the trick. In the last 20+ years, Europe has seen an increase in obesity rates, and in the last 10 years, Asia has noticed the trend. And by a weird co-inky-dink, that's been about how long fast food restaurants have been popping up in those areas of the world.

Of course, this goes hand-in-hand with video games, sitting in front of the TV and the Internet.

With the advent of "fast food", obesity quickly followed. No one has time for a relaxed meal around the table any longer with meetings, chauffeuring kids to various practices, over scheduling, working late, etc. Studies have proven that the slower you eat, you will stop eating when satisfied and NOT stuffed. If you eat too fast, then you don't realize you're full until it's too late. This is where the mind starts triggering that you need to feel stuffed before you feel satisfied.

Of course, it doesn't help that we are 'training' our children to snarf down their food by an inadequate lunch break. Or working at a job that barely allows 15 minutes to eat a meal. It makes it difficult to eat healthy if you don't have time to chew properly!

But back to the fast food talk. Even though many fast food joints offer healthy (or moderately healthy) options, people aren't taking advantage of them.

Why?

Because it's quicker and easier to snarf down a hamburger and french fries than it is to eat a salad--there's less chewing involved. Trust me, I'll be halfway finished with my salad while everyone else is staring at me, willing me to hurry up and finish.

Again, it's all about choices. Make the healthy choices when you can, but if for whatever reason you can't opt for the salad, then think about other options.

Here are a few Fast Food tips:

One--don't BIGGIE size anything. PERIOD. Do you really need those extra fries or the mongo-sized drink? I don't care if it is DIET whatever, it's still not good for you!

Two--Skip the combo meal deals. I totally understand that you're saving $0.10 or you calculate that you can get your drink for 'free'. DO NOT DO THIS. Is saving a little $$ worth your health?

Three--If you have to pick something unhealthy, go for the kiddie meal. I don't care if the company says it's for kids 10 and younger. They won't question you and if they do, walk out.

Four--If you want a Big Mac, then get a Big Mac, BUT SKIP THE FRIES AND DRINK. Order water. Bum a few fries from a friend.

Five--pick at your food . . . literally. Many fast food places use extra large buns. The bread provides filler material and it's packed with a butt-widening load of unnecessary calories. I pick most of the bread from my hamburgers, keeping just enough to hold the condiments to the insides. If you do get a salad remove all those extra crunchy things on top. They are excess calories that you don't need or really even want.

Six--research. If you tend to visit certain places regularly, then check out their nutritional information online prior to eating there. That way, you are prepared with adequate knowledge about their food products and can make a better choice.

For example:
--At Panda Express--the chow mein side dish is a better choice than the fried rice. Their kid's meals are totally filling. And you can pick and choose items online and their site will calculate the nutritional information of the meal! I'm usually stuffed before I can finish my chow mein and black pepper chicken!
--At Taco Bueno--For roughly the same WW points I can eat TWO beef tacos versus ONE bean burrito
--Schlotzsky's has an incredible Garden Salad. And no, you don't have to eat their pesto bread that comes with it. If you want to cut the points, tell them to skip the olives.
--At Wendy's you can have a side salad instead of fries. Eat the burger, but save the salad for another meal.

Seven--cut your burger in half. Eat one half slowly. If you are still hungry, then cut the second half in half and eat a quarter. If at any time you get full--STOP EATING. It's okay to throw away food.

That's all the hints I can think of at the moment. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to comment.

Later, Peeps!

Amazon's KDP Select

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Early in December 2011, Amazon rolled out their new program for authors--KDP Select. Enrolling into this program had a list of pros and cons, which each author needs to weigh before making a decision. If you are happy with your current sales and movement of your book, especially on the other online sites, then opting in to KDP Select might not be in your best interest.

My pros or cons might not be the same list as yours, but you do need to think things out depending on your sales and situation.

CONS:

the author has to UNPUBLISH each book from the competition's sites, limiting sales to Amazon only
your book will be part of their Amazon Prime program that allows for indefinite 'lending' to customers

PROS:

increased visibility
ability to offer five (5) 'freebie' days within your three (3) month obligation
small monetary percentage of all books lent to readers (the #'s they gave were seriously laughable to me, since my books haven't been generating ANY numbers worth mentioning).
only one place to keep track of your work--trust me, it's time-consuming to hop all over the place promoting and checking your status

For me, it was a no-brainer, as I knew I would enroll one book in this program to see what happened to my sales. I had to do something to shake it up. I signed up and enrolled TO GNOME ME IS TO LOVE ME, book one in The Goblin's Apprentice series.

I check my Amazon stats about every day or two, and usually there is very little change, but for some reason on December 19th, I already had 63 downloads. I had totally forgotten about using my freebies pre-Christmas! GNOME went as high as #4 for Children's free Kindle downloads, with very little effort on my part. I posted a few FB notices and I had a friend retweet the freebie deal, and that's it.

Here are a few observations:

By day two/three, the downloads had peaked with 1200 for North America and 300 from Amazon UK. I took the rest of the freebie days and used them after Christmas. There was a little movement, but not much. Don't offer your book for more than 3 days at a time.
Though I had 'given' GNOME away, Amazon still gave me a little bit of $$, okay, a lot of money compared to the previous $ I earned. Not enough to break even, but enough to give me hope.
My overall Amazon ranking went from #263,483 to #53,628 (1/16/12). After the freebies, my ranking sat around #6,000 for a couple of weeks.

I tend to download quite a few books to my Kindle and then spend 6 months reading before I look for books again, so I didn't expect to see a trickle down effect from the freebies for at least 4-6 months. I've already seen a little movement in my sales. Still not many, but in the first two weeks of January, I sold more books than I did in Oct. AND Nov.

Will I enroll the rest of my books?

I really don't know. If I do, I'll wait until my three months obligation is up with GNOME before I pursue the option.

As I mentioned before, every author has to weigh the pros and cons before committing to this program. I'll keep you updated if something interesting happens.

Later, peeps!

Good news, Bad news

2012-01-16T05:59:00.000-06:00

As y'all might remember, my kidlet applied, took a test and had an interview for admittance to Cascia Hall Prep School.

Well, the good news is she WAS ACCEPTED!

I knew she would be. She's smart, funny, kind-hearted and truly excited about going to the school. (See, brain-washing your kidlet for years does work!). It's her daddy's Alma mater and that had a lot to do with it.

Now for the bad news--sending her to to this school requires a HUGE chunk of change.

I had hoped that the sales of my books would put us in a better place, but that's not happening. Oh, I've seen a slight increase (really, really slight) in sales since I placed GNOME in the Amazon KDP Select program, but nowhere near the amount of money we have to come up with.

Shoot, I still haven't broken even yet!

So my writing isn't helping out defray the cost of private school.

Then I thought what about my candy making. I love making candy. Yes, it's back breaking, but could I turn this into an online business?

Naw . . . there are numerous factors that play against me in this scenario.

Who wants to buy candy from an unknown entity? I can't seem to market my own books, how can I possibly market artisan candies?
Too expensive--even buying the supplies in bulk is an expensive proposition, then add the 'cost' of the labor (mine), and shipping. Trust me, shipping is a KILLER. It would simply be too expensive for the consumer.
dealing with the government. Yeah, I'm talking about the tax man and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Tax first, UGH! 'nuff said. FDA--well, I think they might take issue with the fact that I have a large fuzzy dog roaming the house where I'm making candy. I can keep her out of the kitchen, but that doesn't stop hair from floating around. (Sorry, friends who have been the recipients of my Christmas goodwill, but thems the facts.)

These bullet points were only a few of the hurdles I would have had to jump, and can actually think of at 5:15 AM when I'm writing this blog. Yes, I love the idea of having a small place to do business and make candy, but let's get realistic here. It ain't gonna happen.

Which leaves two other ways to pay for the kidlet's school--

remove the excess expenses from the budget. That means no vacation(s) this year. No skiing, no Walt Disney World, no nothing until we can get a handle on the added expense. And/or limiting our eating out. We didn't spend that much money eating out, but it would help if we limited the # of times we eat out. I like cooking, but the problem is having something for the kidlet to eat at 5:00 PM so she's digested her food by 6:30 when she swims, and having it keep for when the hubby comes home at 6:00. And no, eating AFTER swim at 7:30 just isn't going to happen.
or . . . I really, really hate to say this, but maybe I'll need to get a 'real' job. I could probably walk up to my old boss and ask for a job and get it. The problem with this scenario is I've worked at a hospital for a long, long time and the hours would NOT be ideal. AND I did run into an old co-worker a week or so ago, and let's just say, I don't want to walk back into the VIPER'S NEST (her term, not mine), even with my eyes open. Things are not going well with a Hitler wannabe as second-in-command. Instead of trying to wipe out a religion, she's trying to wipe out the old med techs, of which I was one of them. Yes, I knew this person. And no, I'm so not surprised at this turn of events. But I have a news flash for you, sweetie, you're one of the old techs, too. Watch your back you might find your agenda biting you in the butt!

Any ideas and suggestions for making money will be more than welcome. You see we just put the down payment to hold her place, the chunk of change isn't due until mid-July. So I have a few more months to try to win PUBLISHER'S CLEARING HOUSE.

Later, peeps!

Nature surrounds us, you just have to look for it.

2012-01-14T11:25:00.000-06:00

I must say that I truly enjoyed my walkies today . . . especially compared to the last few days with arctic North wind biting through layers of clothes, chilling the warm water in your aluminum bottle in less than five minutes, and numbing your fingers and toes so much you wonder if you might get frostbite.

But not today.

Today was sunny, and much warmer than the previous few days, even with a stiff NW wind. I walked a little later than normal, and with it being a Saturday, there were more people on the trail.

--one woman wearing ear buds, who looked like she was about to keel over with a heart attack
--two bikers (separately) head down and focused on logging the miles
--two kids on bikes (together)
--pair of female joggers, talking

None of them saw or heard anything nature provided.

But I did.

--I heard the rhythmic sound of a beaver gnawing wood.
--the chitter and bark of a squirrel
--the caw of a mockingbird
--I saw an owl, head tucked low into its wings as it blended into the dead branch it sat on
--I saw a small flock of paired mallards (@ 8) floating on the marshy water in the open bowl near the creek
--another flock of paired bluebirds (@ 10), sunning and eating on the south-facing slope of the expressway. The bright flash of blue as the males took to the air closely followed by their drab brown mates
--The motionless Great Blue Heron as it stood in the shallow creek near the beaver den.

None of those on the trail saw or heard what I did, because they weren't observing life around them. Their focus was inward or within the small bubble of energy surrounding them.

The beauty of nature is all around us in the city. You just have to open your eyes and observe. Take the time to tune out the roar of the cars on the highways or pick up the trash that has blown or drained into the green belts.

Nature and life will always find a way to survive.

FOODIE FRIDAY -- Caramel

2012-01-13T10:37:00.000-06:00

True confessions here . . . I haven't been cooking much 'real' food recently. Oh, I cooked bunches over the holidays, but once the kidlet started swim practice again I've fallen off the cooking wagon. Yes, it is a problem having swim practice at 6:30. She needs to eat between 5-5:30 PM, but the hubby doesn't come home until 5:45-6 PM, and we sure as shootin' aren't going to be eating dinner at 8 PM!

Next week, I'll be experimenting with crockpot recipes. That way the kidlet and I can eat early, but dinner will still be ready and hot for the hubby when he gets home.

Until then, I'll leave you with one last candy recipe. I made this yesterday. I wanted a good buttery caramel that could be dipped in chocolate or molded over pecans for turtles. It's good, but I've already jotted some notes on it to make it a little more 'mine' the next time I make it. I'll give you the unadulterated recipe, but I'll post my comments below it, in color, with how I want to change it up.

Caramel

2 cups sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup milk
1 cup cream
1 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla

Butter 9 X9-in. pan; set aside. Combine all ingredients except vanilla in heavy 4-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until butter is melted and mixture comes to a boil (15-20 minutes)

Continue cooking until candy thermometer reaches 244 degrees F. or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a firm ball (25-35 minutes). Patience is a virtue here!

Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. pour into prepared pan. Cool completely (up to 8 hours). Cut into 1.5 x 1-inch pieces; wrap candies in plastic food wrap. Store refrigerated.

Some changes I made while other comments are suggestions for next time:
--Used 2 cup cream instead of milk, with the added milk fat need to decrease butter by 2-4 Tbls.
--used 1/2 cup dark corn syrup (ran out of light corn syrup), need to use all dark or add a touch of molasses to enrich flavor
--used vanilla paste instead of extract, needs a touch more
--needs a little salt, maybe 1/2 tsp
--cut into squares to dip into chocolate.

Enjoy!

Channeling Emotion into Characters

2012-01-12T08:55:00.000-06:00

It's been a very, very long time since I truly visited my characters in the Goblin's Apprentice.

Oh, I edited and published five stories with these characters in 2011, but I didn't immerse myself into their world. It's been almost two years since I wrote anything new and now I'm faced with the reality that I can't simply edit TROLL, but I have to rewrite it . . . from scratch.

And I'm scared.

TROLL was written in May 2010, but every single time I tried to edit it, I knew something was wrong and I put it down. It took me over a year to figure it out. At first, I thought it was Kyte's voice, which was part of the reason, but not all of it. Then I thought it was simply the overwhelming edits that I needed to do to rid the story of the excessive repetition. Well, it is that, but that wasn't the core problem.

The problem turned out to be motivation--mine and Kyte's. She wasn't motivated to move through the story. Oh, she played along and did what I told her to do, but her heart wasn't in it . . . and neither was mine.

Last week, while on my morning walkies, I figured it out . . . I think.

Every writer has strengths and weaknesses in their writing. Mine is emotion. I have a difficult time channeling emotion into my characters because I tend to avoid any sort of emotional outburst in my own life. You know how you trundle on in your life, but your good friend has constant drama in her life? And you think to yourself that no one would believe her story if it was ever written, because it was simply too unrealistic?

Well, writing is about the drama. Every action must inspire a reaction. Every character must have sufficient motivation to take a chance, risk their lives, or simply be there emotionally for another character.

What was missing from Kyte's motivation was anger. TROLL takes place after Halloween and before Christmas, and it's been almost a year since her dad died. Her mom moved them back to her hometown where Kyte didn't know anyone. She discovers she's adopted, can see and talk to mythicals and nearly gets killed a few times, and a goblin decides to take her under his tutelage. Her life is not her own. Now, she's forced to do her schoolwork AND learn tons of stuff about Celestia and mythicals, PLUS combat train under a goblin?

She misses her dad. Her mom is becoming distant. Her best friend is fighting in Celestia, but might be missing, AND a goblin is pushing her around on a daily basis. She doesn't have time to watch TV, paint her nails, much less hang with kids her own age.

And she has reached the final straw when Rhan smacks her practice sword out of her hand, telling her that she's a waste of his time and effort.

This is where FOR WHOM THE BELL TROLLS starts.

What do you all think? Have I finally zeroed in on sufficient motivation?

I'm serious here. I need to know. Talk to me. . .