What Leslie had to say on Thursday, February 19th, 2009
I wish I could say I was feeling better and raring to write some great blog today, but I just don’t. Blech–still feverish, horrible cough, my whole body hurts.
But on the plus side, before I got sick, I wrote a guest blog on how to “wrap up” love scenes for We Write Romance. It’s on there today. So please feel free to go check it out and I’ll hopefully be back up and running soon!
PS: How did everybody spend their Valentine’s Day? I went to Atlantic City with Bruce and 2 of my sisters. Lots of fun but oh, I am so NOT a gambler!
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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Poor Leslie! I’ve got a nasty cold, so I know a little of what you’re going through. My head wants to explode and nothing seems to be helping
Feel better soon. We miss you!
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Feel better Leslie! I am finally over my bronchitis, so I know how you feel. the cough was the last thing to finally go away, I thought it was going to hang of forever. :sicksick:
I just went and picked up Chinese food for dinner on V’day. It’s not that big a deal and I hate the pressure it puts on people.
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Thanks for including the link to your other blog posting, it was a really good read.
Carrie
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Oh, and for those asking about what kind of iced tea it was that I can’t get in my area any more, it’s Nestea’s Unsweetened Lemon Flavored Iced Tea. Unsweetened isn’t the same as “No Sugar Added” and I actually got to liking the unsweetened tea without adding any sugar of any kind. I’ve tried adding lemon flavor and/or juice to the regular Nestea Unsweetened Iced Tea mix, but it doesn’t taste the same.
Why does taste matter? Well, I have learned over the years that my taste buds and my nose are my body’s warning signs. Something may smell okay, but if it doesn’t taste right, warning bells go off indicating that I probably should consume whatever it is.
So, if you know what state I can find it in, please tell me. My husband and I travel a lot, so maybe we’ll be heading that way and I can pick it up myself.
Carrie
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I hope you feel better soon Leslie! Hubby and I spent valentine’s evening at home with the kids since he had to work until 7.
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Hope you feel better soon Leslie. I’m still recovering from a stomach bug, and I really hope I can eat and drink something besides crackers and sprite today.
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Leslie…my husband was sick on valentine’s, so he was super cranky, but the boys and I had a great day.
We are still recovering. In fact, my oldest just woke up and said ‘my ear hurts”. Okay, we just finished the antibiotic from the last ear infection on Saturday. What’s up with that?
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Leslie, there seems to be some sort of “superbug” going around EVERYWHERE that knocks folks out for weeks. Poor you! :hug2: Great blog over there.
Carrie, is this tea in bottles or a package you mix up yourself?
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Thanks all–I’m at least out of bed today, which is saying something! Crazy how hard this hit me, it really came out of nowhere!
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:wave: Hi all!
It sounds like quite a few people are sick, and let me just remind you (as my mother always tells me) to drink lots of water (and juice – but real juice not the sugary juice)
Also, if you’re feeling really nauseous, this might sound weird, but eat a little ice cream. Plain vanilla is the best – you don’t want anything too rich. This will coat your stomach and make you feel a little better – at least it works for me when I’m tired of eating saltines.
Leslie – Get some rest! We want you back to your fun, perky self soon!
Have a great Thursday everyone!
<3 J
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I’ve found the tea in both a dry mix form and in ready-to-drink from a plastic bottle form. Sometimes, if I find it in drinkable form while on the road, I buy a couple. However, it has been awhile since I’ve seen it anywhere around here. Apparently, it wasn’t considered that great of a seller, even though they couldn’t seem to keep the shelves stocked….. go figure.
Full name: Nestea Instant Unsweetened Lemon Flavored Ice Tea.
I just downloaded Slow Hands from Harlequin’s 60th Anniversary give away. I am excited to read it. It’ll be different because I’m used to reading all my books on paper…. If you haven’t been there, they have a total of 16 titles that they’re giving away.
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So sorry you’re sick, Leslie. Feel better–soon! :sicksick:
Cher
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Carrie,
I’ve been diligently working my way through those 16 books. Slow Hands was the first one I read and I absolutely loved it! :grin1: It was weird reading it off the computer because you can’t save your page, so before you close it to take a break make sure you remember what page your on. :wink:
<3 J
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Thanks for the tip, but I wouldn’t close it until I am done with it, that’s just how I am.
I use the computer so much these days between designing and building my own website, reading blogs as well as my own writing that I have at least 9 browser tabs open to something. Sad, I know, but it will get better, I can quit when I want to…so says the addict…..
It was weird when I went camping last September. An entire weekend with no TV, phone or Internet. It was a nice break, but you get itchy to check in once in awhile.
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Leslie,
I feel you. We are all sick this week, too.
Ev, thanks for your concern. I do battle with depression and you are right I am having a “low” period.
An update for you, I had blood work on Friday and they called wanting to see me right away. I just returned from that appointment. My white cell count is really high 18.5, so they want to re-test in 4 weeks. My cholesterol is high and I am borderline diabetic. I guess today was my wake-up call. No more carbs, sugar, etc. and a minimum of 40 minutes a day walking.
To be honest with the pain the walking sounds impossible, but they promise it will help. It’s just getting through the pain to be able to actually walk that is such the challenge.
Thank you again for your concern. The jungle is full of Love. :heart1:
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Leslie, I am so sorry to hear that you are still battling a nasty bug! I hope that bug is squashed soon & you feel much better. :boxer To knock out the bug!! :giggler I read your blog about changing to a darker type book. You were kind enough to email me after a comment I sent you. I am looking forward to reading the book. Please don’t give up your humor!
Recently I read Blazing Bedtime Stories, I’m sure you all had fun writing those stories.
Carrie, contact the company to ask if they still produce that product and ask where it is distributed. Maybe you are having a hard time finding it because it is winter when fewer people want cold drinks. Also ask the manager of the store where you shop if they can get it for you. Just suggestions maybe you have already done that.
For all those with upset stomachs Ginger Ale usually works better than either 7-Up or Sprite. I always keep it on hand just in case I need it.
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Debbie – I’m right there with you on the pain. There are many theories as to the cause, but the treatments aren’t really all that helpful because the side effects are awful, so I just deal with it the best way I can…. It also depends on what the source of your pain actually is….
Donna M – Thanks, but I already spoke with a store manager and then a company rep. Apparently, the product just isn’t sold in my region any more. I know they do sell it elsewhere, because I’ve seen on their website. I even tried to see if I could order it directly, but no go.
When I asked them where it was sold, they told me not in any place close, but they really weren’t very specific, and I don’t think that they wanted to be. Maybe I’ll try again, though….
As for remedies, it really depends upon what’s causing the problem. For me, when I am suffering from a respiratory thing or from rhino sinusitis, the problem is caused by an over production of mucus and I feel ill because my lungs want to get rid of that extra fluid, and all dairy products increase the amount of mucus created, so be careful with that.
Ginger has long been known to be a healing root, and so is peppermint.
Carrie
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So sorry you aren’t well! Seems as though there are few families without
illness somewhere in the household, even our own! God bless everyone!
Hope you will all be better soon!!
Pat Cochran
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Leslie,
I hope you get to feeling better real soon I have been down for two weeks. That is a big loss, I have IBS so when the flu comes around it is really hard to get rid of and then it seems like there are so many other problems to deal with too. So I am sending good wishes out to you.
Debbie I wish you luck with all your medical problems I have been going through a ton the last two weeks since I had the flu. For some reasons I got over all the flu stuff except I would get really tired and weak all the sudden, and it wouldn’t go away. The doctors thought there was something wrong with my heart but I am hoping not still testing. And then I have had bowel surgery so I have to have another CT-Scan tomorrow and a new EKG they have now. Hopefully I get better soon because I will be have my hysterectomy May 4th. Yuck. So I am thinking about you I know it helps to know there are so many people out there who care.
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I got my score sheets back from the Emily Contest. I placed second in the Single Title category. The editor, Kerry Donovan at NAL HATED my story. She made me feel like a green writer with zero talent.
The agent- Elizabeth Pomada–gave me her highest score but made no comments.
That’s the breaks. You pay your money and you take your chances.
I remember Carly telling me recently, “You have no idea what it takes to get a book published.” Baby, you are so right. Obviously I don’t.
I need to begin again at square one starting with basic writing workshops with an “I know nothing” attitude. What made me think I could sell to print?
Cher
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Cher,
Do not get discouraged. Please do not stop writing. I will read everything you write and even pay for it.
Brenda, thanks for your kind words. I will keep you in my prayers.
Carrie, thank you for your encouragement. I will look for the tea the next time I am at the market and let you know if I find it.
Have a great rest of the day everyone! :wub:
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Thanks, Debbie for your sweet comment. :-)
I’m not sure what I’m going to do at this point but I appreciate the encouragement.
I hope your health improves really soon. Walking is definitely great exercise. Give it a try.
Cher
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Carrie from WI…is this it?
http://www.buythecase.net/product/1767/nestea_100_tea_unsweetened_iced_tea_mix/?engine=yahooshopping
Julie
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Hi Julie,
Nope, not the right one. The one I like looks like that, but the band is yellow and I think there might be a picture of a lemon on it somewhere. Thanks for looking though, I appreciate it!
Carrie
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I hope you get to feeling better soon! I cleaned house and cooked on Valentine’s Day