It’s mid-April and three things are on my mind.
First, foremost: the book. I know, I know, with writers there’s always a book. But I’m so tense about this one (my first dark romantic suspense from NAL) that I’m questioning myself the way I haven’t in a very long time. I have to turn it in next month, which is one reason you don’t see me a lot on here during the day. Being the complete internet-addict that I am, I simply cannot have the temptation during the work day. So it cuts out from 9-4, Monday through Friday. Amazing how much more productive my days are! I honestly would love to do a full week of cold turkey, no internet, no email, but I haven’t quite worked myself up to that.
The second thing on my mind: I’m on a diet. Again. Diet and I go way back. We’ve been friendly enemies since I hit puberty. I’ve blogged about this before, so I won’t go into it again. Suffice it to say, when I went to the dr last month, stood on the scale and saw a number I hadn’t seen since I was 9 months pregnant with my last child, I decided enough was enough.
One thing I have discovered: weight that used to fall off when I was in my twenties, is a whooooole lot more stubborn now that I’m in my forties. Seriously, I could go on Slim-Fast to lose a quick 5 pounds for an important event, and have it gone in a few days.
I’ve been on Weight Watchers for 3 weeks and have lost exactly 9 pounds.
I know, I know, slow and steady is the key, and that’s a really good start. But 7 of it came in week 1. The next two were ONE pound a week! With such a long way to go, I would have really liked to see things moving quicker. Fortunately, the whole family knows how hard I’m trying, and Bruce is actually trying to drop a few pounds himself so he’s cheering me on. Roxanne St. Claire gave me some great dieting advice, starting with watching The Biggest Loser, which I have found incredibly inspiring.
One way I’m making sure I lose weight is by moving more. And this past week, that involved moving in the garden (which I also blogged about.) So far, the experiment has been mixed. First, we tried to cultivate seeds in those little indoor greenhouse things.
They sprouted, they grew…they died. Everything except the green peppers. Seriously…EVERYTHING else died. And I have no idea why.
So, dead plants, empty garden, what to do? Well, Bruce and I went out and bought seedlings a couple of weeks ago, which we’ve been tenderly caring for until we were sure the weather would be okay. We have been busy preparing the ground for a couple of months, and finally this past Saturday, when it was in the 80’s, we put everything in. Considering we live in Mr. Slate’s quarry, and dug out cart after cart of rocks, that wasn’t as easy as it sounds. But eventually, we got it all done, put up fencing, carefully marked the rows, treated the seedlings like little babies, and smiled at the end of a long, weary day.
Then Sunday, the flood came and Noah forgot to swing by with the Ark. Good grief, talk about a deluge! It rained for hours…and hours…and hours. Our front yard had about a 3” deep lake. And our pretty garden, which we had fully intended to mulch the very next day, was a mudpile. Our seedlings were bent over in sheer exhaustion from the battering of rain, and big channels were washed down between them. I have no idea if the few seeds we did plant stayed in my own yard…if my neighbor suddenly starts seeing sunflowers popping up in his grass, I guess we’ll have our answer.
ARGH.
I didn’t cry, though, and I certainly didn’t give up. It’s finally cleared up, I’m getting ready to go out and give the plants some TLC then protect the whole bed with lots of mulch. I keep telling myself it’ll be worth it when I have lovely fresh veggies all summer and won’t have to pay absolutely ridiculous prices for shriveled up stuff at the grocery store.
Of course, we’re leaving for Florida next Wednesday and will be gone for a week. I somehow suspect not a single drop of rain will fall and we’ll come home to a barren desert. But I could just be a little pessimistic.
Oh, wait, there’s another thing on my mind. Dulcie. She’s 6 months old now and has suddenly decided not to sleep through the night anymore. She’s been wonderful about being in her crate since probably the 2nd night we had her, now all of a sudden she’s going nuts, waking up at all hours, yapping and just being a major PITA. Anybody have any advice on that?
So that’s four. What about you? What 4 things are you dealing with?
Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Leslie, I hear ya. Losing weight is frustrating because it’s so easy to gain and so hard to lose. I think exercising more is definitely one of the most important things you can do, and that’s not always easy, especially when your job requires you to sit for 8+ hours a day. It can be exhausting trying to find time to move. Now that it’s getting nicer, I walk during lunchtime. So far, so good.
Hmmm, 4 things huh? Today: cramps. Breaking out like a teenager (thought those days were over!). My car needs new brakes. A toxic co-worker. Just those irritating things in life you have to put up with. Hope everyone is doing better than that. Hugs to you all :flower4you:
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Our cyber twinage shows again…went to the doctor last month and weighed more than I weighed when I was 9 1/2 months pregnant with my 10 lb baby. The doctor said she’s more worried about the stress in my life than the weight…can’t seem to make her understand the weight causes more stress!
Hubby has been having more and more seizures, and they’re becoming more severe. He has them at last once, usually 2-3 times a week and each time he has one he’s wiped out for about 24 hours. The doctors feel like they’re triggered by stress and that the nature of his business isn’t helping him so yesterday they approved for him to have a 2 month leave of absense from work so….
Starting tomorrow we’re going on a strict nutritional plan. Getting lots of fresh air, sunshine and exercise. Watching funny movies. Anything and everything we can to improve our lives and be healtheir and happier.
As for the garden…I’m getting to it this week. That’s part of our exercise program and nutritional eating!
Oh, and if you happen to get FIT TV there are a ton of great shows on there. Ten Years Youngers and America’s Health Challenge are 2 that we’ve been watching. You can also go online to Discovery Health and join America’s Health Challenge. Last time they did it, Americans that were participating lost over 35,000 pounds!!!!
Big hugs on the book! I’m sure it’s fantastic but I certainly know the feeling of questioning yourself at every turn of the road. No advice with Dulcie other than to say, “Good luck.” And have a great time on vacation!!
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Oooh, Leslie, you’ve got A LOT on your mind! I had to smile at the mention of my Biggest Loser speech. Whoda thunk it? A reality show. Loser was just jaw-droppingly fascinating from the start. I couldn’t believe these people were going to bare their souls, and their flaws, and their, well, fat, to the world and try to lose weight. The first few shows, I kept swearing I wouldn’t turn it on – it felt a little voyeuristic and just wrong – but like any good story, the characters kept me coming back. And what a lesson it turned out to be. Now, I’m positively evangelical about the show. Every season, I’m inspired. It’s so not about losing weight, but the magic of human transformation week after week, and the writer in me loves that. But guess what happened? The show changed how I viewed exercise, eating right (when and what, nut just how much) and treating your body well.
So, for the first time in my life, I embraced all that instead of starving myself to lose five pounds and calling a dog walk exercise. For me, the first thing that improved was sleep. The upshot of that, I had more energy. The side bene, I wanted to exercise more than ever. Guess what happened? I wrote more, faster and loved what I produced. The plus of ALL of that was a happier woman, a better mom, a satisfied (as much as we can be) author. It’s almost as if the weight loss (which does happen) is the least of the life changes. The Biggest Loser, imo, is not really about losing pounds, but shedding baggage and preconceptions.
They should hire me as a spokesperson – LOL! Set your Tivos when a new season starts and give it a shot.
Leslie, I, for one, can’t WAIT for your romantic suspense which I know is going to rock my world.
Oh, my four things: passion (I’m writing a keynote speech about it), copyedits on NOW YOU DIE (they land at noon from DHL), my 15 year old getting his learner’s permit this week (just…ouch), and celebrating my nephew’s (the Army Ranger!) return to the US yesterday after 15 months in Iraq! Thank you, God!!
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Weight is always an issue. I couldn’t tell you a number because our scale is broken (and has been for the past couple of years). Just a lot of family health issues going on. Nothing too unexpected. Other than that, just trying to figure out how to politely email our special ed director and ask where my son is going to school next year (hubby doesn’t want to do it, yet and they promised they’d let us know by tax day and there is a potential that they will move him to a different program, which we don’t want). My other two boys are set for next year….and our summer is crazy….
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Hugs to you, Leslie!
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I’m so with you on the losing weight problem. I’m in the process of losing weight, but have only lost like 10-12 pounds since January. I joined a gym and go 4 times a week, but it looks like it needs to be a daily activity. My job has me sitting in front of a computer for at least 8 hours a day, so I know that is one of the reasons for my weight gain(plus the junk food I’ve put into my body over the years). I loved The Biggest Loser, but the weight they were losing each week was unreal. Of course, if I was able to work our 6-8 hours a day, I guess I would lose 10 pounds a week too.
Jodie, thanks for the mention of FIT TV. I’ll have to see if I get it in on my cable line-up.
Good luck on the book. You know you have many people here who can’t wait for the release! As for Dulcie, maybe give her a t-shirt you have worn recently. Maybe a familiar scent in her crate will make her feel more secure at night. I haven’t had a puppy in years, so my idea may be crazy.
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Four things- my dad had a heart attack last week and is now in the hospital having all sorts of tests because the man refused to go to a doctor for the past 35 years, I am seven months pregnant and have two older children, my husband travels for work (every week) from MA to AL, and forthtrying to deal with a three year old who can argue about anything.
Those are the quick four. As to the puppy. I actually think the tee shirt is a great idea. I don’t have a dog, but my dads dog sits next to his chair. Otherwise I have no clue. I have a ten month old that is teething and is now up during the night.
Good luck on the book. Just keep plugging away and good luck on the garden as well. I am trying to plan mine because I am refusing to pay so much at the grocery store for produce. My daughter could eat her weight in produce every week, which is a good thing, but expensive.
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four thing weight ever since gettin pregnant with my daughter 8 years ago I went from 125 to 202 at delivery and I’ve had a tough time getting it off though I’ve gotten under 200 after having a anouther baby the true problem is my blood pressure is higer then most older people. Writing Is the next I have a ton of ideas and sit down to write but then second guess myself and compare myself to others and think it is not that good. Also I have atarted a home business on the side I love handbags so I started a comopany Michele’s Arm Candy I’ve been doing purse parties it save on renting on building space but I need to throw more of myself into it so I just started my website. and last I need to get on the treadmill more it is just so hard to start but once I’m on it I actually feel better.
Good luck with the book I’m sure you will do great
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Rocki, please give your nephew a big hug for me!!!
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Hi Leslie,
Sounds like your plants were pounded and had a case of root rot. :doh:
As for your Dulcie waking up in the middle of the night , I think age wise she is hitting her teenage years. She has figured out that she wants to visit and play and she might not need as much sleep as she has been getting.
I have found that a good walk or playing hard with my doggie keeps her sleeping though the night.
As for the weight issue. I have tried my best to keep my weight the same but it is a bigger battle as I get older. I am 44 going on 45 this year.
I put on a few pounds this winter and I have just about lost them .
Slow and steady is the way to go when it comes to weight loss.
I have stopped buying candy. I am so glad to see all the candy eating holidays over with.
There is a great show on BBC America called you are what you eat.
It comes on at 11am and in the late afternoon.
That show will really get your attention.
Dr. Gillian takes note of what the people have been eating for a week and lays it all out on a table for all to see. Disgusting. It really makes you think what you are putting in your mouth.
One of Dr. Gillians biggest advice is to chew your food until it is like water.
I have started doing that and it really has helped.
Oh and Exercise!
4 things I am dealing with:
Serious family health issues with two in my family
Bad accident that messed up my driveway last friday. It has to be totally redone with a new sewer pipe and asphalt.
High gas prices (I live 12 miles in the country and it is killing us)
the week from @#!# last week
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Wow…many of us in the same boat!
Big hugs on the hubby, Jodie. Scary stuff.
Stacy–fortunately, with writing, toxic co-workers are a think of my past!
Rocki! I’ve been meaning to write you since TBL finale. Unbelievable! Ali looked like a completely different woman and I was just so happy for her.
Katie–Hugs on the program, I know that’s a constant worry for you. And yes, my kids will be off this summer and I’m already pushing the older ones toward jobs and the younger one toward camps!
Liza–exercise is definitely where I’m deficient. I’m sticking to WW like glue. And I really am feeling/sleeping better. But I absolutely have to go work out if I really want to see pounds fall off. It’s just tough because the gym we joined is at the local university and I just don’t want to go alone. If Bruce is with me it’s fine. But a fat middle aged mom in the middle of a bunch of peppy co-eds and jocks? Riiiiiiggggghhhttttt!
Jen! ACK on your Dad! Why are Dads so stubborn about the dr?
Michele–big hugs right back to you on the weight issue. My blood pressure has been very high my last couple of dr visits, which is almost unheard of for me. It’s stress, I know, but like Jodie said, the weight adds to my stress!
Thanks all for the T-shirt idea. That’s a great one!
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Leslie I can’t sympathize with you on the 9lb weight loss. I have been going to the gym for the past two months and have only lost 11 lbs in that time. I have drastically cut my portions and have been trying weight watchers. I am happy (I guess) with my results. I’m determined to loss weight and be healthy.
I never watched the Biggest Loser until the last few episodes and on the last one they did a flash back to an earlier episode where Ali commented that she got fat five pounds at a time and this is actually what happened to me. She is an inspiration.
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First, I just want to say how amazing it is to be able to read these snippets from REAL people dealing with REAL issues. This community is one I’m very happy to have found! I guess the one big thing I’ve been dealing with (and that has had an affect on every other part of my life) is stress. This has been the longest, coldest, snowiest, plain ol’ yuckiest winter of my life…highlights: death, stroke, job loss, car accidents, and debilitating migraines. AND YET…this weekend, I planted asters. This weekend, the sun was warm on my skin. This weekend, I was reminded that with family, friends, and a good book…this too shall pass. Have a great day!
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1) weight. 2) weight. 3) weight. 4) weight.
Seriously. I’ve managed to eat myself to morbidly obese and National is coming up. At this point, I was healthier when I smoked (quitting being the reason I’m in this mess right now).
I like the idea about watching the biggest loser. I haven’t but have heard about it. I keep watching Big Medicine instead, which isn’t having the same effect!
Congrats on 9 lbs!! That’s awesome, even though it doesn’t feel like it. And yes, losing weight at 45 isn’t anything like losing it at 25. I laugh when I see the magazines in the grocery line. How some 20-year-old starlet lost 15 lbs. Right. Like I’m supposed to be impressed by the fact that she cut out one of her daily latte’s and dropped it in a week, no doubt.
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Leslie: I feel your dieting pain. I have been struggling with “baby weight” since child #2 was born….9 years ago! I’ve discovered that I’d rather lose 1/2-3/4# per week that will stay off FOREVER because it came about due to a lifestyle change, than have quick weight loss that will be fleeting. So I still eat ice cream from time to time. A cookies. Some nights I veg out in front of the tv with popcorn.
But I also have added more fresh fruits and veges to my diet. I eat a bowl of chopped fruit before lunch. I add an extra serving of veges to my dinner and eat those FIRST. I snack on raw veges. Every little bit helps.
We rescued a dog that has resulted in a mandatory 40 minute walk every day. I started wearing a pedometer during the day, so I try to get up and move around the house more. The weather has been too bad to be outside much.
Small changes (and small weight drops) will eventually add up to BIG results. Just like writing. You can only do it one word at a time. With diet, it’s one bite/one step at a time.
Good luck (and have fun in Florida).
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Hi Leslie,
Lots going on for you. *hugs* As to the weight thing… no idea. I’m young and can’t lose weight. I tell people I have the metabolism of a dead animal. I breathe, and gain weight. Good luck- you can do it!
As to the plants… no idea, really. My parents used to put grass clippings around plants in the vegetable garden to act as a type of mulch/fertilizer, and that helped prevent rain/water from washing everything out. Otherwise, I grew up in a house of green thumbs, where even cuttings in the trash came alive and would start to grow. As to the puppy… maybe some outside stress or… heaven forfend – doggy puberty? [No - seriously.]
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A very appropriate subject today, Les! All that weight I lost a year and a half ago . . . well, I’m a stress eater and let’s just say life has been extremely stressful the past 10 months (starting with Don’s two foot surgeries, then him losing his job because Wonderbread shut down all their bakeries here in Southern California, then taking a job up in Oregon, now with us living separately and me trying to sell the house and get ready for the big move). Needless to say, FOOD has been my best friend during those stressful months.
After weaning myself off of some medication that didn’t help my overall frame of mind, I’m feeling so much better. A week ago I, too, started my new quest to take better care of myself — emotionally and physically. Yes, I’m back on a diet and trying to eat healthy. And I’m starting to feel much, much better.
Rocki — I LOVE the Biggest Loser. I never miss an episode. I was so thrilled to FINALLY see a woman win the big prize. What a huge inspiration Allie was!
Jodie — I’m sorry to hear that your hubby is having seizures. Now that has got to be very stressful for you both. I’m glad that he’s able to take two months off of work to rest, relax, and destress. You, too!!!
Jen — Extra prayers that your father gets out of the hospital SOON!
Les — Unfortunately, at our age, we do have to exercise to see results. And it can be as simple as taking a 45 minute brisk walk around your neighborhood. That’s what I do — and walk the dog at the same time. It’s great excerise for the both of us and it gets the heart pumping and helps to clear the head, too.
And 9 lbs. is GREAT. Here’s a suggestion. Only weigh yourself ONCE A MONTH. Not every other day, or even every week. If you’re sticking to WW, you’re GOING to lose the weight. It will come off — but like you said, we’re older and those stubborn pounds want to stick to our stomachs, hips, and thighs. If you weighed yourself once a month and you see that you lost 8 lbs in that month — that’s a good amount of weight (and losing it in a healthy way) – - and it equals to losing 2 lbs. each week, which is a good, steady weightloss. I just think weighing ourselves even weekly can end up being a despressing thing when you only see the scale inch down a pound or so. But overall, in a month’s time, 7-10lbs is a healthy amount to lose! The question is — do you have the willpower to stay off the scale for a whole month? :giggle:
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Well – I am now on week 5 of Weight Watchers and a total of 8 pounds lost – I am tired of counting points – I would love a piece of chocolate cake that has no point value. Well that’s one thing, number 2 – work – when can we stop doing that – I’m tired of traveling to NYC everyday…When can I hit the lotto. Number 3 – paying for college – HELP – and number 4 – Teenage girls – and boyfriends. I had two girls and now since both have boyfriends, I now have the boy that I always wanted, the only difference is that I got the boys at 18 and 16 (eating me out of house and home). But all in all, I’m happy and healthy and thats all that counts.
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Hugs to everyone….maybe we should just all go on a diet together (I like to think of it as a heathier way of eating, but where does yummy pastries fit in?).
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1. Diabetes control w/ life-style change
2. Weight
3. Trying to start exercising to go with weight loss
4. Family financial and physical health problems
Same problems as most everyone else in the country!
Pat Cochran
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Hi All,
I’m late logging on today because here’s what I’m dealing with:
1. A deadline
2. Editing the first page of my current WIP and entering it into the American Author thing for the Washington Romance Writers Retreat that I”m attending this weekend. It’s for a panel of editors–Kate Duffy, Jennifer Enderlin, Tracy Farrell and Lucia Macro. Someone will read them out loud then the editors will respond with uncensored gut reactions. :pray:
3. Packing. Yeah, I know, why should I have to worry about packing when I’m only going to be gone for 2 days! I’m always stressing that if I don’t pack enough I won’t have what I need. And I’m high maintenance. There, I admitted it publicly.
4. Stress about flying. My brain farkles when I know I’m going to fly. Actually the whole drill–going to the airport, going through security, waiting to board, take off, landing, getting to where I need to be once the plane lands…I’m not only high maintenance, I’m neurotic. :giggle:
My heart goes out to all of you who are dealing with health issues, family problems and seriously stressful things in your life. Not to mention trying to lose weight, plant a garden.
Ms. St. Claire, give your nephew a HUGE thank you from me and my family and tell him WELCOME HOME!
Take care,
Cher
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What four things am I dealing with….hmmm…let me think…
#1: PITA is one of my students’ parents. I have never heard from the man all year, and all of a sudden he has a complaint about my class. The year is almost over and his son isn’t doing as well as he should, and he calls my boss…not me, but my boss to talk about fixing this Spanish problem…I nearly “killed the messenger.”
I have been dealing with another student and his mom for about 3 months now, and I was not happy with them either…what makes some parents who send their kids off to schools like mine so we can “fix” calling at the nth hour to complain about the way we try to fix their kids…this particular kid was not studying, doing hw or cw, so naturally, he was failing the class…I did all I could to get him to see me for extra help, but he chose to do other things instead and then his mom calls complaining…I nearly blew my top…actually, I did and then I got really depressed…it has just been a few days now that I am coming out of that funk…thank you guys…I guess that was #2…
#3: finding time to write this book I am working on…I don’t know if I will ever be able to…not a romance novel though…I will keep plugging away, but I am not feeling very motivated right now…
#4: I am trying to figure out how I am going to earn enough money to help my mom make it through the summer…I will just have to wait and see about that one…
Good luck with the garden, and enjoy your time in FL…I will swing by again later…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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My four things
but we also have to have lots of stuff for that.
1: my 2 year old sneaks out of the house, scares me to death, no matter what we do he can open the door or tries to climb out the window.
2: My 4 year old is getting ready for school
3:I have 2 stalkers threatening me
4:I miss my family and want to move back home.
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Leslie, Sorry to hear you have so many stressful things right now.
I would say I only have two stressors for me right now but they are both kind of big. 1) We are trying to get pregnant again. That means fertility drugs. This cycle is my last round of clomid and if I don’t get pregnant this month I don’t know what the game plan will be, but I know it will be much more expensive. 2) I am currently having a major asthma flare. Short of breath, coughing constantly. My current treatment plan is not working, my doctor is out of town, and the immediate care center didn’t want to treat me for fear of “hurting the baby”. I’m not currently pregnant, I won’t ovulate for probably another 5 days.
So I am doing everything I am supposed to do and hoping I don’t end up in the ER before my doctor gets back in town.
I hope you all have a nice afternoon and evening. It is a beautiful day here.
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Try picking up a copy of The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene. This book has been amazing in helping me to understand my weight problem. There’s a section devoted to explaining how your body loses weight. It opened my eyes to a lot of things and made a lot of sense. I’d recommend it to anyone wishing to lose weight – whether it be those pesky last 10 lbs or much more.
Leslie, good luck with your garden! I’m planting one this year as well. The prices in the stores are outrageous! You should get a copy of The Farmer’s Almanac or go on their website: http://www.almanac.com. It’s the Farmer’s Bible. lol – I grew up in the country and I can remember my parents using the almanac every year when they planned their garden. We always had the ripest, most beautiful garden! I’m hoping my own attempt lives up to my memories. lol
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Jodie, sorry to hear about your hubby…I will keep both you and him in my prayers…
Jen, I hope your dad gets well soon…
Les, I am confident that your book will turn out fine…relax a bit and don’t worry about it…you know what you are doing…good luck with the garden…you are a braver woman than I…I could never put seedlings in my dangerous hands…water the lawn, does not a gardener make, right?…that is about all I am good for, at least when it comes to planting things and stuff…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Leslie, 9 lbs. sounds good to me. I would be thrilled to loose that much weight! Guess I would have to try, however! One thing that seems to me to be helpful when it comes to weight loss is not to diet but to change your lifestyle to eating healthy and sticking with that for the rest of your life. Stress in our lives, mostly brought on by ourself, tends to lead to weight gain. I think all of us know what is good for us and what is not, if we don’t change those things nothing is going to change. Daily exercise or at least 5 days a week is a must for many reasons, any weight loss program emphasizes that. What works for me is walking. Working out in a gym is okay but I think it is much more beneficial to be outside in the fresh air, see the flowers, the sky & look at the world around us. Don’t listen to the IPod or anything else, just be with yourself. We all need time alone but few of us get it. Walking with someone else usually leads to longer walks. I finally got a pedometer recently so I could find out how far I walked- – not far enough! Yesterday I made it two miles for the first time. Yea!!
Now I want to eventually work up to 3 miles but it will take awhile!!
Great subject today Leslie. Thanks for giving all of us a chance to vent a little stress here!
Roxanne St. Clair, give your nephew an extra hug from a grateful American. I am so glad to hear he is home safely.
To everyone dealing with health problems, may they get better soon.
Good luck with your book Leslie, I’m sure you will turn out a great read.
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YES Patty–5 lbs at a time! It just sneaks up on you.
And Cas, we are all normal people…normal problems. Bad hair days, bad kid days, bad business days. But lots of good ones, too, which make it all worthwhile. :wink:
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I hear ya, Lori…or she simply had her trainer (who’s on speed-dial) come over an extra hour today, at $500 an hour, to help her work it off.
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Limecello–have you had your thyroid checked? Mine was sluggish & I’m on medication for it.
And Gigi–we’re in the same boat! Out in the country, it costs a fortune just to run to the mall!
Amy–I have two dogs. Unfortunately, they’re lazy slugs, too.
Janelle–once a month? Are you serious? I’m lucky if I can manage once every other day! But it’s good advice. Maybe I’ll try getting Bruce to hide the scale, just like he cuts the internet off for me. Again:
Denise–I just discovered Reese’s peanut butter cup 100 calorie treats. They’re not actually PB cups, more like Kit kat bars with peanut butter, but if you only have one of the two in the package, it’s only 50 calories and 1 point! It definitely hits the spot when I’m dying for some chocolate.
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>Same problems as most everyone else in the country!< Hear hear Pat!
Now, Nancy, you can’t make a comment like “I have two stalkers stalking me” without getting a big WHAAAAAAATTT? from us! Do tell!
Kelly—oh, honey, good luck with everything. The asthma, the pregnancy…please keep us posted.
Tammy, is Best Life the magazine that was a spinoff of Men’s Health? If so…hubby and I were interviewed for it a couple of years back! Way cool.
Paula…teachers have the toughest job in the world, bar none. :flower4you:
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Katie…pastries “are right out” (to quote Monty python)
And Donna, yeah, trying is unfortunately the name of the game in losing weight. Major bummer.
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Let’s see four things.
1. Dealing with a very scary car accident that my oldest daughter was involved in last Tuesday evening. Thank goodness that she was able to walk away but her new car is toast. If that isn’t enough, I get a call this morning that my youngest was involved in a fender bender on her way to school.
2. I am trying to put together a surprise birthday party for my husband big 5-0 in two weeks.
3. My youngest will be graduating in early June so I working on graduation announcements, open house invitations and out of town guests and relatives accomodations.
4. All I want to do is design my very first tattoo. My birthday gift to me.
Hugs to everyone. :hug2:
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Hi Leslie the pet store sells these thing that simulate a heart beating. It you have a blanket or pillow in Dulcie’s cage hide it an turn it on before you go to bed. She’ll think its her mother’s heart and go right to sleep I also put a blanket over my dogs cage at night when he was a puppy. When it was on he knew it was time to go to sleep. As for the garden I am hopeless, diets i just try not to think about it.
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Four things-
1. My daughter in the hospital ER again this morning because of an unidentified problem. Even though we are seeing a specialist, it’s hard watching her hurt.
2. At home recuperating= no paycheck.
3. trying to decide on a new car. Utility vehicle for all the carrying and moving I do vs. gas mileage. ick
4. trying to lose weight too and watching said daughter fight the same battle I am.
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Oh, no Ev, do you mean Heather??? Please give her lots of love and well wishes from us and keep us posted!
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Ok Leslie I have some good news for you. While reading my email I saw in the e-Harlequin newsletter that your book ONE WILD WEDDING NIGHT made their weekly Top 10 list for Top 10 Sexy Books!!! Yeah! Congrats! Bravo!
I thought we could all use a little good news right about now.
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Wow, Carolyn, very cool news indeed! Especiallly considering that book has been available on that site for almost FIVE months! lolol!
Thanks for sharing!
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work
reading
sleeping
taxes
Congrats to Julie For winning best blaze AT RT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved Stripped
:banana: :banana: 
congrats on 41/2 stars for Slow Hands. cant wait to get my Slow hands on it lolCongrts Ladies. hot books as always
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Thanks Kim! I was really happy with that review. Were they giving away the June issue of RT at the convention? If so, can you let me know if Slow Hands was a Top Pick?
Thanks!
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Thanks! It was very exciting for STRIPPED to win! Wish I had been there to accept the award!
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Let’s see….my top 4 would be
1)Money – why is it that no matter what there isn’t enough? I just paid my last preschool tuition for the year and what should be extra money for June and July already has a place to go.
2)Hubby’s work schedule – My Hubby is a restaurant manager and he works awful hours. We have three small children and there will be times when he doesn’t see them for 3 days in a row. He goes in before they get up and comes home way after they go to bed.
3)Getting my review website running and ready to have advertising and such. It is taking longer than expected to get everything done.
4)Finishing my entry to the writer’s digest contest. I haven’t done that much and it has to be mailed very soon
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i saw it ont eh website, not a top pick put 4/1/2 but it should be and it is with me. Yes u go julie, it looked evyone had a good time.from all the pictues.
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Leslie – The Best Life Diet is a book. The website is http://www.thebestlife.com.
:wink: