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Archive for 2013

Some of Life’s Joys

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on June 10, 2013| 8 Comments »

There are just some things in life that are beautiful.

Duke - 8 or 9 months old

Duke – 8 or 9 months old

Chipper - 13 years old

Chipper – 13 years old

The only bad thing is…it’s hard having two alpha dogs. LOL

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Sunday Update 6/9/13

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on June 9, 2013| 23 Comments »

I remember the days when the words just flowed out of my mind and into my fingers typing at the keyboard. I remember when I could have a novella written, edited, and published in three months. A novel, slightly longer. Where are those days? Where, I ask you?

I haven’t written since before I went on vacation. I spent last week catching up on work, dealing with a computer problem and working late one night. Yesterday, I spent all day on my house and working on Vacation Bible School stuff. And I’ll be teaching at VBS all this week, so it will be late nights for me. And I can’t write during lunch because that’s when I work out. *sigh*

Writing used to be easy. I’m wondering if this WIP is giving me more trouble because the plot is more complicated than my usual work. Am I just burnt out? Am I scared this WIP won’t be up to par? Am I just extra busy with no energy left for writing? All of the above? Only The Shadow knows. (Some of you younger people might not get that, LOL.)

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Sweat and Supernatural

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on June 8, 2013| 9 Comments »

Ha! I bet that title got your attention. What in the world do sweat and Supernatural have in common? Well, I’m about to tell you.

I always hook up my headphones to my iPad and watch Netflix while walking on my treadmill. I’ve had this show queued up on Netflix for a long time. My daughter-in-law likes it, and we usually have the same taste, so I thought I would give it a try. I’ve seen two episodes, and I am in love with it. It’s my kind of show!

So, the sweat part. It helps to watch Netflix while I’m on the treadmill because my mind always has to be doing something, and walking is kind of mindless. But I can’t help but feel the sweat, even when I’m concentrating on the show I’m watching. I HATE to sweat. And yet, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I do. That means I’m exerting myself enough, because I really don’t sweat that easily (except when I have hot flashes). Some more good news…my homemade deodorant is holding up through all the sweating. All it contains is coconut oil, arrowroot powder, and patchouli essential oil. It’s supposed to have baking soda, too, but it makes me break out, so I had to leave that off. But it’s still working. I smell like patchouli! 🙂

Speaking of homemade. I just dusted the furniture with homemade furniture spray. I’m washing clothes with homemade washing powder. Later, I’ll wash my hair with homemade shampoo and moisturize my face with homemade moisturizer. I’m loving this natural stuff!

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Fitness Friday – Whaaaaat?

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on June 7, 2013| 10 Comments »

Yeah, that was me totally freaking out when I got on the scale this morning. I knew I had gained a couple of lbs. on vacation…you know, all the lying around on the beach, no exercise, eating more than usual. I had weighed a couple of days after I got back. No big deal, right? But when I weighed this morning, I had gained a total of SIX lbs. What the heck?

Okay, breathe, Lauralynn. This week I REALLY worked out with weights. I pushed myself more than usual. I walked on the treadmill at home every night but one, for 45-50 minutes (long enough to watch a show on Netflix). Remember a while back when I talked about how your muscles actually filled with water when you first start working out? Oh, how I hope that’s what happened. A weight gain that fast makes no sense, otherwise. I’ve exercised more this week than I have in YEARS. That’s got to be it, right? Can you tell I’m still freaking out?

I will NOT cry. I just need to keep exercising, keep eating like I should, and the weight should start coming off. My clothes don’t feel tighter, so that’s a relief. This, too, shall pass.

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Pride and Prejudice

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on June 6, 2013| 17 Comments »

Awhile back, I saw that Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin was free on Audible. So I downloaded it. I just remembered a couple of days ago that I had it. And I started listening. Okay, I’m kind of embarrassed to admit I’ve never read any of Jane Austin’s books. I’ve watched the movie, Sense and Sensibilities multiple times, so I knew I would like the story. And I have Pride and Prejudice on my DVR. But I’ve really not enjoyed many of the classics I’ve read. I usually find the writing stiff and too formal.

So here are my thoughts so far (I’m not too far into the audiobook). Jane Austin has a good sense of humor. She can be quite sarcastic, and I love that. The writing is definitely formal because this book was written a LONG time ago (early 1800’s). But it’s not really too stiff. When I read The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, I HATED it. But I’m kind of enjoying P & P. The worst thing is that the language is so different than what we’re used to in the present times, I have to listen very carefully to understand what they’re saying. This is a challenge since I’m driving while listening. Usually, this isn’t a problem, but with this book, it’s a balance between concentrating on my driving and on the book.

How about you? Do you like Jane Austin’s books? Yes, Susan, I know YOU do. 🙂 What about other classics?

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How Soon Should Your Characters Have Sex?

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on June 5, 2013| 16 Comments »

I was having a discussion at lunch today with my cover artist, Anya about a book I was reading where I thought the characters had sex way too soon. She kind of disagreed, I think, because she loves the series I was talking about and has no problem with it.

So here’s the thing. I NEED the romantic build-up. I need the characters to get to know each other. I need the sexual tension. Honestly, I would rather have the romance and sexual tension and NO sex at all than to have the sex WITHOUT the build-up. The book I’m reading has a situation where the hero sort of assaults the heroine, but he thinks she’s someone sent to kill him or something. Later, he apologizes, they agree to have lunch, then they have sex. The sex scenes didn’t do a thing for me, even though they were well-written, because the build-up wasn’t there. Now, in defense of the book…it’s a good, well-written book, and I’m planning on finishing it and will probably read others by the author. The basic story line is good, it’s not JUST a romance. And many people would be fine with the early sex. It’s just not what I like in a romance. So please don’t think I’m trashing the book at all.

What about you? Do you like a build-up of romance, or do you want them to just get down to it? I’m very interested in the different opinions on this. I wonder if I’m in the minority or the majority. It would be fun to know.

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Sunday Update 6/2/13

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on June 2, 2013| 12 Comments »

We got back from our trip last night. Although I enjoyed my vacation thoroughly, it was good to be home. Well, it WOULD be good to be home if our air conditioner was working. We had it set on 78 while we were gone (couldn’t turn it too high because of the cats), so when we got home, we turned it back to 75. It was 79 in the house. It pretty much STAYED 79 in the house. The air was blowing out the vents, but it wasn’t cold enough to cool the house. I hope all it needs is Freon. That is probably expensive, but not as expensive as a new heat pump. We can’t take any more big financial hits. We’ve gotten most of the hospital/doctor bills in, and there was one that looks like it involves the hospital, but not directly, that apparently wasn’t “in network”. Like we had a choice. So the out of pocket expense and deductible is MUCH higher on that bill. We’re calling the insurance company to find out WHO that bill is actually from (we don’t have the actual bill, just what the insurance company says we have to pay to a “K Beard”). We already have the bill from the hospital itself and one of the doctors who saw him there. What a mess it’s going to be. Then the air conditioner. Grrr. So right now I’m sitting here sweltering. We have all the windows open, and it’s storming.

I’m going to try to get all my sponsor duties done sometime today, visiting all the blogs I’m supposed to. I just want to say a word about that. Please, please, PLEASE make sure your blog is friendly to people who use WordPress, Blogspot, etc. I’ve tried to visit two blogs that required me to sign in with something else and set up an account. So, if your blog doesn’t recognize my WordPress credentials, I’m not going to be able to comment.

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My Reading List While on Vacation

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on June 1, 2013| 9 Comments »

These are the books I read while on vacation. I had already started a couple of them before I got to Florida.

Kiera’s Moon – Lizzy Ford
Crossing – Stacey Wallace Benefield
Her Reluctant Groom – Rose Gordon
His Jilted Bride – Rose Gordon
Suddenly a Bride – Ruth Ann Nordin
Runaway Bride – Ruth Ann Nordin

I found all of these enjoyable. The romances by Rose Gordon and Ruth Ann Nordin were sweet and sexy. Crossing was very different, deep, sad, and touching. With a little fun thrown in, because Stacey can’t help it. I was very pleased with the first book I had ever read by Lizzy Ford. Kiera’s Moon was a great SciFi romance.

It was so nice to be able to just read. I’ve read so much romance this week that I finally had to pick something else. At the moment, I’m reading Draculas – Jack Kilborn (aka J.A. Konrath), Blake Crouch, F. Paul Wilson, Jeff Strand. This book is NOT for the faint of heart. I might have nightmares. *shudders*

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Living More Naturally

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on May 27, 2013| 6 Comments »

I’ve never been obsessed with being natural. And, quite honestly, I’m still not obsessed with it. However…I’m beginning to see how making your own natural products can be beneficial. Not only are you keeping harmful chemicals out of your body and home, you’re saving money! I’ve always thought living more natural would be more expensive. In some ways it is. Organically grown food is more expensive for sure. Although I wonder if it might save on doctor bills later on. But making your own products is cheaper in the long run. I’ve made my own moisturizer, deodorant, shampoo, and insect repellent. I actually LIKE these products better than the store bought items. I’m going to try to make dusting spray and room deodorizing spray. The best part is that it’s FUN. And you feel such a sense of accomplishment. And it really doesn’t take that long to make these things.

Now about the vodka. I mentioned yesterday I needed vodka. It’s because it’s the base of things like room spray and…deodorant. I found THIS website that gives lots of recipes and info. They actually use a deodorant that is just…vodka. Yeah, you heard that right. They no longer recommend rubbing alcohol for long term use because they say it has some toxicity. The idea behind vodka deodorant is that it kills the bacteria that causes odor. I’ve also seen vodka as a base for perfume.

Now, here’s my favorite website for buying ingredients. Mountain Rose Herbs. I wish I could afford to buy more from them. Eventually, I’ll be able to stock up if I buy a little at a time. Especially if I’m saving money in the long run.

So am I going to go completely natural? Nah. I like Sweet N Low too much. LOL. But I want to do this as much as I can.

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Sunday Update – From Panama City Beach!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on May 26, 2013| 15 Comments »

I’m sitting here on the balcony of the 20th floor of our condo listening to the waves and feeling the breeze coming in from the ocean. I’ve been reading recipes to make natural products and just placed another order with Mountain Rose Herbs. Now I need vodka. No, not to drink. More on that another day. 🙂

I’ve been a BAD WRITER. Yeah, because I haven’t written anything since week before last. I had so much to do to get ready for this vacation that I just decided I was going to take time off from writing until vacation is over. Now if something about my WIP happens to hit me, I’ll jot it down. But this week is about relaxing and reading. No work.

This morning, I got up and made everyone biscuits, gravy, and eggs (I make it all with canola oil, no saturated fats), then we all went to church. Tonight, after evening church services, we will find a good seafood restaurant to go to. Last night, I had the best stuffed grouper I’ve ever had. There was absolutely NO fishy taste.

This vacation was much needed. I’m SO glad we had it mostly paid for before hubby got sick, or we might not have been able to go. He started back to work on a totally different job (at the same company)last week, so he’s still in training. His boss actually told him he should have used his vacation time while he was out of work! We would have lost our money if he had done that! Plus, after all the stress, he needed this vacation. Some people have no heart.

If I have time, I’ll post a little bit about my thoughts on natural homemade products tomorrow. But if I happen to just want to lie around on the beach and read…I might not. LOL

I hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend. Or if you’re in a country that doesn’t celebrate this holiday, I STILL hope you’re having a great weekend!

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