Well, I now know where to put a body at Devil's Tower. It doesn't matter how many times I see this majestic rock, I'm still in awe of it.

Isn't it beautiful? Is it any wonder why the Native Americans hold it sacred? Any wonder why it was our country's first National Park?

Oh, and I got four geocaches on the way! *big grin*

Didn't gain or lose this week. Stayed exactly the same. It was a little depressing since I had walked three miles the day before, but I'll survive. And I didn't go to the ice cream shop on the way home, so that's a minor victory!

Only one week until I leave for Mayhem in the Midlands. I'm such a dork that I have scouted out geocaches along the route and in Omaha to do. I know, a little odd, but everyone needs a hobby, right? *smile*

I got "Charmed Knits" last night. It's an entire knitting book based on Harry Potter. There are some really cute patterns in there! I'm not sure I'll ever actually finish a Weasley sweater, but I can quit loosing the pattern now (I had printed it off the internet and I put it somewhere safe, I'm sure....).

Day two of the WOMAN challenge and I walked three miles!

Sorry, just had to brag!

She's now 14!!

That scares me! Maybe it wouldn't scare me so much if she wasn't so pretty. Or smart. Dang kid.

We celebrated Mother's Day yesterday so the Kid could have today for herself. I believe that everyone needs a special day sometimes and what's more special then the celebration of your birth?

Hubby got me a very awesome tea light candle holder. One side says "Eternal Hope," the next "Endless Faith," third says "Everlasting Joy," and finally "Enduring Peace." The Kid got me a Willow Tree figurine called "Mother and Daughter."

But, really, the best gift of all came not in a thing but in words spoken by the kid. Last night, after they'd showered me with my gifts and hugs, she said to me, "I wouldn't have minded sharing my day, Mom."

Now, that's a cool Mother's Day gift!

My 8 Names, what's yours?


1. YOUR REAL NAME: Jennifer


2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (first 3 letters of real name plus izzle): Jenizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME (fav color and fav animal): BlueBear


4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, and street name): AnnRadarHill


5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2
letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom's maiden name): BlaJeTay


6. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): GreenWater

7.YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (grandmother/ grandfather's first name): JeanJack or IrmaHerb


8. YOUR GOTH NAME (black, and the name of one your pets): BlackOscar

I've just registered for the WOMAN Challenge (http://www.4women.gov/woman/). Maybe that will get me moving more. WOMAN stands for Women and girls Out Moving Around the Nation.

Here's what it is:

This May, thousands of women across the country will embark on an eight-week walking challenge for better health. They will be part of the WOMAN Challenge-that is Women and girls Out Moving Across the Nation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health is coordinating the WOMAN Challenge to encourage women to get 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week and to kick off the eighth annual National Women's Health Week (May 13-19, 2007).
What is the WOMAN Challenge?

This free eight week challenge encourages women and girls to walk 10,000 steps or get 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. The WOMAN Challenge begins on Mother's Day, May 13, and ends on July 8, 2007.

Maybe I can get a team set up and we can motivate each other. Or at least appeal to my competitive nature. Any takers? Steph? Heather?

The workshop with William Kent Krueger was FANTASTIC! Not only did I get to spend time with real writers, I learned so much. I'm even more eager to attend Mayhem in the Midlands now!

Not only did I go to his talk and book signing Friday night and the workshop on Saturday, but I was lucky enough to have dinner with him both nights. Now, I'll confess I haven't read his work, but it's next on my "to be read" pile.

Sunday was busy as well. The Kid was confirmed at church. It was one of the largest confirmation classes with 22 kids. Very nicely done. One of the other confirmands (is that a word?) is the Kid's best friend. The two girls are inseparable. If I had to pick a friend for my Kid, I doubt I could do much better then this young lady.

AND it was Shrine Circus weekend. That's where I was supposed to be, working for the Job's Daughters or Daughters of the Nile. Instead I did "Jen and Family Stuff." (Well, the kid and I worked the Friday afternoon performance and the kid worked the Friday night and Saturday afternoon ones as well.) I felt guilty not helping, but wonderfully refreshed to do so much for myself.

Even with all the excitement of the weekend (the writers conference and confirmation and such) I managed to lose 1.2 pounds. I've decided that small victories are what I need. So this week's "mini-goal" is to loose enough to make the ticker say 30. Heck, that's not even half a pound! Then I get to do something just for me -- another angel for my collection, a trip to the bookstore, something.

Mayhem in the Midlands, a small mystery writers conference in Omaha, Nebraska, is just a few weeks away and I’m incredibly excited about attending a real mystery writers conference.

Years ago, I served in the U.S. Air Force. Every class or conference or workshop served to “re-Blue” the military men and women who attended and I have the hope that Mayhem in the Midlands will do the same for me.

Even before Mayhem, though, I’m spending the weekend at a local writers workshop. William Kent Kreuger will speak May 4 and 5 in town, and that should be another “re-Blue” moment for me. Ghost Mountain is going strong at 22,000 words. My critique partners seem to like it. Now to finish it and get it published so I can quit my day job!

Well, last week I may have gained, but I lost this week! In fact, I lost twice what I gained the week before.

My biggest problem is I HATE exercising. I don't have time for it. Between running here and there and everywhere to get *stuff* done, there's not much time for me. I guess that's what it boils down to -- time for me.

I plan to make exercise a bigger priority. To be honest, that's one reason I got Oscar. I planned to take him on walks and I know that would be good for me. And I have. Just not as often as I wanted.

Right this minute I could be in yoga/pilates class. But I'm not. I skipped it this morning. Maybe I'll take Oscar on a geocache and then I won't feel so bad. I just wish that exercise was something I could be more motivated about....

I'm sitting in a coffee shop, not drinking coffee.

I'm supposed to be working on Ghost Mountain, but I'm a little stuck. How do you get an FBI agent to believe in ghosts? Should my main character's leg be broken after a car crash? Why? Why not?

To make it worse, I know I have revisions at home that I could be doing, but I didn't bring those. And then, I actually wanted to have all 80,000 words for this story done by June 1. Since I'm only at 20,000 (well, 20,374) I don't see that happening. So now I'm upset with myself for my lack of self-discipline.

Found out that the kid was accepted for the open enrollment. She will be attending a public high school about 15 miles from our home (just in the other school district) starting this fall. Now if only I can get the school people to decide what they need to enroll her since they keep changing their minds.

OK, the guilt is getting to me. I'm going back to the novel...

DANG IT!

For the first time in 16 weeks, I actually gained weight. One full pound, even.

Actually, that's pretty much the way my week has gone. It's had it's peeks (Yeah, Oscar!) but the rest has been some pretty low valleys.

Oh well. Back to the water bottle and the gym in the morning!

OK, so I forgot how tiring a new pup can be! And I obviously live life on the edge since the cat was sleeping, too!

Finished Oscar's toy today. It's knit with Red Heart yarn on size 4 dpns. I got the pattern from the Spring/Summer 2006 issue of Kint It Magazine.

Like a typical kid, though, he was pretty happy with the feather that he brought in from outside.

Gotta love it!

Tubby. Buddy. Merlin. Arthur. Lugos. Dylan. Oscar. Magic. These were the names our newest family member had. Most of them for only about 10 minutes or so. Oscar, the name I picked. I *my* puppy. Let me explain. Everyone else has a pet — or two. The kid has two cats and a dog. Hubby has a dog. Special daughter who lives in another state has a cat here. Hmmmm....

So, as only a mean wife can, I got a little jealous. I wanted one of my own. I did some research and decided I wanted an indoor dog. (The cats are indoor, the other dogs are outdoor.) I wanted something small that I could take with me to get more exercise. Something loyal that I could play with. A dog which would easily go geocaching with me since the rest of the family doesn't like the hobby as much as I do.

So my loving hubby and I went to a local pet shop and bought Oscar. He's a 10-week old Cairn Terrier. I wanted to name him after a Celtic god, but those guys had some odd names. Cool goddess names, not so cool god names. (Side note: I've been doing some research on Celtic mythology, some for the book I'm writing and some because it started to interest me. Although, for those wondering, it does explain where "Arthur" and "Merlin" and even "Lugos" and "Dylan" came from!) So I picked Oscar. The name means "deer lover" and in Irish mythology Oscar was said to be a mighty hunter.

Yep. He's a hunter alright!

The one thing I forgot was how much work it can be to housebreak a puppy. That's OK, though. This one is mine! *smile!*

The news report

Juvenile makes court appearance after lockdown
By Heidi Bell Gease, Journal staff

RAPID CITY -- The Central High School student arrested for lying to officials about seeing a man with a handgun at school has made his initial appearance before a 7th Circuit Court judge.

The 15-year-old boy, whose name is not being released because he is a juvenile, remains in custody, officials said during a Wednesday news conference.

And while the emotional ordeal of Tuesday’s school lockdown has ended for most students, the process has just begun for the boy and his parents.

Harry Brenden, assistant superintendent for elementary and secondary education for the Rapid City School District, said school officials will review the boy’s academic and disciplinary records before deciding what consequences he’ll face there. “The school will take sanctions,” he said. “I just don’t know what they will be.”

The most severe penalty would be one year’s expulsion, Brenden said.

Pennington County Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Kevin Krull said his office will file petitions charging the boy with false reporting and disturbance or disruption of school. The boy and his parents are cooperating with authorities, he said.

For an adult, the charges would be misdemeanors punishable by jail time and/or fines.

For a juvenile, it’s different. If the boy admits to the charges, the juvenile judge n currently Judge Thomas Trimble n will decide what his consequences should be. If the boy denies the allegations, Trimble will hear arguments in a hearing similar to a trial.

Krull said penalties could range from 90 days at the Juvenile Services Center to fines of up to $1,000 to probation to placing the boy with the state Department of Corrections, which could keep him until he turns 21.

Several people have suggested the case might lend itself well to a restorative justice approach. Restorative justice uses trained mediators to bring offenders and victims together to talk about how the offender’s actions affected others. The process lets victims and offenders see each other as individuals, supporters say, and often brings healing and understanding to situations that could otherwise stay mired in anger.

“I think it might have some merit,” said Dex Wittman, who runs the juvenile diversion program for the state’s attorney’s office. “There’s a lot of people who want to ask (him) some questions . . . Some of the kids were really afraid yesterday.”

Phyllis Boernke, director of the Center for Restorative Justice in Rapid City, said volunteer mediators just finished a case where the three juveniles arrested for vandalizing Rapid Valley schools last summer were brought together with school staff and administrators.

“That turned out very well,” she said. It took a long time to prepare for the meeting because they had to determine which victims would be involved. The mediation, which was held in January and took about three hours, eventually involved the three students, their parents, and more than a dozen school employees, including school administrators and custodial staff.

“It was a real turning point midway, when the young people began to share what was emotionally, personally going on with them, not only connected with this incident but personally in their lives,” Boernke said. She said the students talked about “feeling anger and frustration and just wanting to take it out somewhere.”

As a result, she said the adults involved in the mediation began thinking and talking about ways to help other youths in the same situation. “It turned out to be real positive.”

Mediation usually happens farther along in the process, after people’s emotions have leveled out. With juveniles, especially, mediators don’t want people “just dumping out anger” on the child, Boernke said.

“Throwing kids in detention all the time and never bringing any resolution is certainly not the answer,” Boernke said. “I would like to have the opportunity to visit with the child and his parents, to talk about some options, and then to find out how many people in the community might like to take part.”

Rapid City Police Chief Craig Tieszen said at Wednesday’s news conference that surveillance cameras at Central helped police as they began investigating the report of an armed gunman in the school. Detectives began to see inconsistencies in the boy’s story, he said, and by the time the last students were being evacuated from Central High School early Tuesday afternoon, the boy had admitted to making up the story.

The day wasn’t a total loss, Tieszen said. “We did have one huge joint exercise.”

Both he and Brenden said they were pleased with how smoothly things went as law enforcement and the school district implemented their emergency plan. This was the first time the district-wide emergency plan was called into action, Brenden said, adding that it exposed a few glitches administrators will now work to fix.

Tieszen praised the way law enforcement agencies, the fire department, school officials and even the media cooperated Tuesday in responding to the threat.

“I think our cooperative spirit showed itself yesterday,” he said.

Pennington County Chief Deputy Sheriff Dave Bramblee also commended the community at large for the way it reacted Tuesday.

“Today is really kind of a day of relief and celebration,” he said.

Contact Heidi Bell Gease at 394-8419 or heidi.bell@rapidcityjournal.com

Yesterday was not good.

Shortly after my post yesterday, I heard on the radio that all of our schools were in "lock down" and that a gunman was reported at one of the high schools. I almost started to cry because Thursday the school board will vote on the open enrollment form to allow my daughter to attend one of those schools. My second thought was "what have I done?" My first thought was "God protect those kids."

The tragedy at VA Tech (close to where my kiddo was born, actually) breaks me up. We started homeschooling right after Columbine. And now this. Right when I was starting to be OK with the decision to send her to public school. Talk about questioning your own judgment. (Add to the fact I'm a HUGE pessimist -- quiet, Sis! -- and I was going bonkers yesterday.)

Turns out the entire thing here was a joke. A 15-year-old girl made up the whole thing. She even gave a description of a Native American man walking the halls with a handgun. Not only did she scare the hebe-jebes out of every parent in this half of the state, she did wonders for racism. I hope it was worth it. I also hope they release her name and try her as an adult and force her to repay the cost of having the SWAT team search the school. Frankly, I hope they throw the book at her. Not just because she made me worry (although, I'm human enough to admit that's a part of it!), but because she deserves it for her little stunt.

Another 2.4 pounds down and I've earned the WW 10% reward. That means I've lost ten percent of my starting weight. (Remember, the WW total and the total here on the blog are off a bit. Either way, though, it still means I was TOO heavy to start with!) A few more pounds and I'll be getting myself another angel for my collection. I think I'll do something nice for myself in honor of my 10 percent, too.

Now to decide exactly WHAT to do! *smile*

YIKES!

I went clothes shopping today. No where fancy, just Shopko, but still. I decided I needed some "business casual" to go to the writer's conference in Omaha next month (Mayhem in the Midlands). When the majority of your life is spent in jeans and T-shirts, business casual requires new clothes.

And I HATE clothes shopping. Don't believe me? Ask my sister. Growing up, the worst part of starting school each year was actually getting the new clothes. Anyway, the kid and I went and she doesn't have my aversion to new clothes. She helped me pick out three new outfits for the conference.

So that's one more thing all ready for the conference. I so want to find an agent there. I completely doubt it will happen, but I *do* expect to find out how to get an agent. I do expect to get re-charged and come home ready to take my novel to the next level.

Man, I can't wait until this conference!

I realized today that I've lost weight every week for 14 weeks. Can you believe that? 14 weeks of losing as least two-tenths of a pound. That's a lot of weeks!

I re-designed my author web site (http://www.nicholerbennett.com) and I'm pretty proud of how it looks. I've also spent the week working on my novel. Right now, it's titled Ghost Mountain, which says volumes about the subject matter of the novel.

The baby blanket I'm knitting is more than half finished. For this same mom-to-be, I hope to also knit a stuffed bunny, booties, a sweater and a hat. We'll see what actually gets finished besides the blanket.

I went to the gym today. Finally. It's hard to get back to something you don't like to do. After fighting off germs and viruses around here, though, I knew I needed to get back.

Today's workout was good. I took an abs & arms class and let me tell you, I was workin' those muscles! As much as I don't "look forward" to the gym, I am sure glad I went!

If you notice the ticker up top, you'll see that I lost a little more this week. I'm surprised, to be honest. I didn't think I would. As my loving hubby reminded me, though, a half pound is nothing to be ashamed of. (And since I lost six-tenths, that's even better!)

I got some new yarn yesterday. It's green and purple and blue and will make some beautiful socks, I think. I hope to post a picture later.

Went on a motorcycle ride today. The weather was BEAUTIFUL! While we were out, I did a few geocaches. We were out near the "Pigtail Bridges" for anyone familiar with the Black Hills.

The weather is beautiful here today. The kid and her best friend (a pair normally referred to as "ying and yang") were going to sleep outside on the trampoline last night, but it wasn't QUITE that warm. Tomorrow looks to be very nice, too, and husband and I are talking about going into the Hills on the motorcycle. I want to do some geocaches up there and he just wants to get the Harley out. *smile*

Have a kid issue going on in my life right now. The kid is a member of a group and one other kid in particular is really picking on her. Now the group's state meeting/competition/conference is coming up and my kiddo doesn't want to go. Normally not a problem but first, she took a state office and second, I think it would let the other kid "win." (Yes, I'm competitive!) I don't want my kiddo to think that difficult people can dictate what you can and can't do. And I want her to fulfill that obligation as a state officer (musician, in this case). I know she's practiced hard and I want that moment of pride to hear her play.

Pride... I wonder how much of this issue is my pride in what I want her to do.

Man, being a parent is one tough job!

I went out in public today. Felt good enough to do that, even! The antibiotics are really working -- thank goodness! My right eye is now just mildly annoying, where before it was painful to look at anything. My ear is still a little plugged, but it's not painful, either.

Then, to make my day even better, I tried on a pair of pants I purchased last year (on clearance) that were the wrong size. They fit!!!

Now that makes for a good day!

I didn't think I'd lose any weight this week. Instead, I'm down 1.2 pounds.

Right after the weigh in, I headed for the urgent care clinic. I'm now on two different antibiotics and was told to buy some real sudifed -- the stuff behind the counter thanks to the meth heads of the world.

Does it bother anyone else that the sick have to "suffer" by showing extra ID and it generally being a pain to buy an over-the-counter decongestant because of the drug addicts of the world? Or is my grouchiness at being under the weather coming out?

I have a news flash for anyone who knows me. I HATE BEING SICK!

OK, so that's not news and actually people who know me are shocked that it took me this long to admit it in public, but I really do hate being sick. After getting over the influenza A bout of two weeks ago, I now seem to have some kind of sinus infection that's now seeping out my eye. Yum. Good thing I'm married and loved because I sure don't thing anyone who DIDN'T love me could be putting up with me right now!

Maybe if I was sick more often, I'd be a better patient. Instead, I don't get viruses or bugs (kidney stones, yeah. acid reflux, unfortunately) very often. Maybe I just expect to be well too quickly. Or maybe if the lovely docs had seen fit to give me something for this sinus problem right away, my eyes wouldn't look like they belong on the bad guy of some "B" horror movie.

But no. I have to sit here, in a self-imposed quarantine, trying not to scratch my eyes out while simultaneously reminding my family to wash their hands and then use the hand sanitizer and then wash again.

OK, enough of my pity party. Pass me the chocolate....

I finished Nat's socks today. They're really the zodiac socks, but with a band around the top instead of the zodiac design. The things I'll do for my daughter's friends! *smile*

Other good news today is that I'm down another 4.4 pounds. Now, that's for two weeks, but with Influenza A last week, I didn't feel much like going out. Plus, I'm sure that everyone at the meeting place appreciated my not being there.

The kid, though, is still sick. She ended up with a strong (evil?) case of strep throat and now has an ear and sinus infection. I feel for her. Her poor nose looks like it belongs on Rudolph the Reindeer, not a teenage girl! But this second course of medication seems to be working, so that's a plus anyway. She has even picked out "real" clothes to wear tomorrow, and isn't planning to stay in her pjs! Now that's progress!

What Kind of Coffee are You?

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I'm a Wind Spirit


Thought above feeling and mind over matter are your mottos. Others come to you for advice and guidance. Some see you as introverted and snobbish, but they are merely jealous of your common sense knack to think things through. Don't be afraid to listen to your heart though.

OK, so there was no "weight loss" post this week, nor was there anything about the life of Jen. I do have a good reason, though.

Influenza A.

See, told you it was a good reason!

Oh, and the kid got strep throat. Know what that means? Yep. Hubby has become nursemaid.

More later when I'm feeling better.

No one likes to be woken up at 3 in the morning. When you're NOT a morning person, though, and no one is dead or dying, it almost qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment.

But that's what happened to me today. I was woken to my brave and loving husband yelling my name.

Let me digress. You see, we have only a crawl space under our house. Somehow a stray cat managed to find its way down there about two days ago. Now, we do have three cats and two dogs of our own, so another cat meowing below the house isn't really something we need or want. Not to mention that the temperature last night was -24 (yes, that's negative twenty-four degrees!) -- BRRRRRR!!!!

OK, so for two days we've tried to catch this mystery cat. My brave husband even put a "Have-A-Heart" trap down in the crawl space to capture it. At 3 a.m. today it finally worked.

As he yelled for me to see the cat (which I've named "Harry" for Harry Houdini) did what is supposed to be impossible. He escaped.

My husband dropped the cage and grabbed the cat. Harry didn't appreciate that, as you might imagine. Harry tried to escape again. This time using claws and teeth, he succeeded for a second time in less then 2 minutes.

That's when all heck broke loose. Our three cats scattered in every direction and Harry took off like... well, you get the idea. Thankfully, the two dogs were outside already, doing their own thing.

As a side note, 6-foot tall men with heavy Texas accents should never scream like young girls. Not at 3 a.m. and not if they don't want their very tired wives to laugh.


Harry darted away and ended up in the bathroom. It took every ounce of focus I had at that time of the morning to close the bathroom door and trap Harry. Meanwhile, my husband, still sounding a bit like a pre-pubescent girl, grabbed a sheet to use on Harry.

The brave man went into the bathroom and said "Calm down, boy." It didn't work.

Crash! Bang! Crash!

"Open the door!" Hubby then ran out of the bathroom carrying a wad of bed clothing that wiggles more than when the kids were little and thought we might not notice the lump in the bed. I opened the door as he tossed the pile into the front lawn. By the time the sheet hit the ground, the cat was gone.

I was back in bed by 3:15, although it took much longer to actually fall back asleep!

Have I ever mentioned here that I really don't like Microsoft? OK, so now a whole bunch of people will probably shun me and I'll be taken off Bill Gates Christmas card list for sure, but it's true.

I'm a Mac girl. I think I'll probably always be a Mac girl, much to the dismay of my father. (Who isn't allowed to touch my Mac, but that's another post!)

I'm a Mac girl, but I'm a mystery buff. I really like the Nancy Drew computer games. I also have an AWESOME embroidery machine that I just love. Unfortunately, both of those hobbies are Windows based. (Yes, my embroidery machine runs off a computer. It's a Singer Quantum Futura for those who are interested. AWESOME machine, but I think I mentioned that already.)

So my loving and adoring husband got me a laptop — an HP Pavilion. Unfortunately, it has Vista and I needed XP, so I've "adjusted" it. And there's no recovery disk.... grrrrrrr

After spending two days trying to fix the problem myself, I finally called HP. An hour later I have a set of recovery disks on the way and for a LOT LESS than I was afraid I'd have to spend.

So, while I'm not real happy with my laptop right now, I am very pleased with HP. Let's just hope I can fix what I did!

I finished the Zodiac socks last night. The kid wanted socks with the Taurus symbol on them from "Hip Graphic Knits." They were made with super-soft yarn and seem to be pretty cozy! Of course, she almost never wears *truly* matching socks, so I didn't see the point of making her matching socks! Being the snot of a mom that I am, I made one green with the symbol in blue and the other blue with the symbol in green. Now she can wear matching socks WITHOUT matching!

Yep... I'm a snot!

Down another 1.6 pounds this week. And then hubby and I went out to lunch and I'm not sure that was the best plan I've ever had! (But it was some GOOD Mexican food!!!)

I'm still on a major high from finding out that the book has been published. I ordered a few from Amazon and they were shipped today. The book is supposed to be here next Tuesday. Would hubby be mad if that's all he got for Valentine's? ("Here, honey. I autographed it for you!")

It's here!!!!

OK, after a long wait, the anthology with my story has been PRINTED! It's now listed at Amazon.com and can be purchased for $14.99 (Donard Anthology)

I spent years thinking that I didn't have time to exercise. I didn't have time to eat right. I was wrong.

In the past two weeks (and, yes, I know it's just two weeks - six weeks makes a habit), I've found the time to exercise and eat better and still get to my hobbies. I've completed one sock for the kid (I'm starting the heel of the second one), I've worked on my second mystery novel, I've attended all the meetings and *junk* that I'm supposed to and started cutting out a quilt for my bed. (Or should I say the husband's bed since he's the one who really wants the quilt? Nah. What's his is mine and what's mine is mine, right? *smile*)

I will admit, though, that I didn't get my five geocaches done in January. Nor did I finish any bookmarks on the embroidery machine. That's OK. I have time. Besides, there's a reason I call them "goals" and not "resolutions"!

OK, another weigh-in day and I lost a pound. That puts me at just over the 10 pound mark, which is really cool. Now, with WW, though, I have only lost 7.6, because I lost 3 before joining (which is reflected on the blog, but not at WW).

I took my first-ever yoga class today. That was an experience.

The class was a yoga-pilates mix, and a real workout. I had walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes before that, so I was totally ready for the showers when the hour-long class was finished.

Exercise is usually NOT something I enjoy. I would much rather curl up on the couch with a good book, not walk for a few miles in place. And, as my super-skinny daughter likes to remind me, running could be hazardous to my eyes. (Gotta love teenagers!) Anyway, despite my aversion to exercise, though, I really enjoyed the class. The gym only offers yoga once a week, so I guess I'll be heading there each Wednesday morning for awhile.

Or until I can justify paying for a separate class, anyway!

Down another pound this week. That's a big thing for me, since it's been a tough week.

I found out yesterday that my kidney stone is still there. I guess it's "stuck" in the tube somewhere, which is pretty gross to think about. Yeah, really gross to think about, actually! Now they're talking about breaking the stone with a laser and then some surgery to remove it. Not really what I wanted to hear yesterday!

I'm drinking so much water that I think I could float away!

Finished a knitting project this week. I meant to make a hat for my sister, but the first one was a little "small." Instead of frogging it, I opted to finish that one and do one a little larger. So my sister and niece now have matching hats!

One of these days I'll remember to check my gauge before I'm half-way finished with a project. But, honestly, I don't have the patience for that part!

(Isn't my niece so cute??)

What kind of knitting needles are you?

You are interchangeable.Fun, free, and into everything, you've got every eventuality covered and every opportunity just has to be taken. Every fiber is wonderful, and every day is a new beginning. You are good at so many things, it's amazing, but you can easily lose your place and forget to show up. They have row counters for people like you!
Take this quiz!








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FINAL UPDATE: Hubby is home and kisses have been delivered!!!

UPDATE: 57.9 miles from home and still driving.... He should be here (hopefully!) in an hour.

UPDATE: 103.2 miles from home and still driving......

UPDATE: He's 150 miles from home and still driving.....

Ever notice how one phone call can change your day? Or your outlook on the day?

That's where I am right now.

This morning I was in such a good mood! Today was weigh-in day and I'd lost 4.6 pounds! Go, me!!

I called my loving hubby to share my good news and all was well. (He's been driving from Texas to take care of some things with his mom's passing last November.) So I'm enjoying my mood when "WHAM!" I get that call.

The call came from my hubby. He's about 230 miles from home now and I haven't seen him in a week and now his transmission is going. The stretch of road he's currently on doesn't have the best cell reception and his phone isn't totally charged right now, either.

Now I'm worried. I'm scared. I just want him home...

DANG IT!

Today was "weigh in day" and I only lost 0.8 lbs. Now, before I get the "hey, at least you lost" messages, I know that it's better to lose 0.8 than it is to gain 0.2. But I guess I was hoping for more. I felt like I really worked my buns off (figuratively, of course!) and wanted to see that scale really tip.

Oh well. I guess I'll just have to try harder for next week.

On the "plus side" of the day, though, I didn't blow it after the WW meeting. I went to the grocery store and got a salad for lunch. I skipped the candy bar that was "calling my name" at the check out and didn't opt for a coke, either. I'm working on more water.

Next week will be better....

OK, I'm bored. So I think I'll write out some more of my 2007 goals.

Around the house, I plan to organize my office and organize the kitchen. I am going to paint the kitchen this year and create a weekly cleaning routine.

I have goals for my hobbies, too. I plan to do 5 geocaches each month; embroider 6 bookmarks each month; do more quilting; keep knitting and crocheting; keep making soaps and candles; write my pen pals within seven days of getting their letters; and learn to play my guitar.

Finally, I am going to keep going to church each week (singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school make that happen!); continue my daily devotions; and "meditate" more.

Well, that's it. No more goals.

Now to make them all happen!

I've already listed my health goals for 2007, so I thought I'd list my "work" and my "writing" goals for the year.

First, for those who don't know, I own my own business. I'm a web designer and my work goals deal with that. I want to sign a new client every two months and update my work site (www.jabpublish.com). OK, so that was free, cheap advertising, but what the heck!

For my writing goals, I plan to write some each and every day and to have one of my two novels ready to submit to publishers -- or at least send query letters -- by July 1.

Guess I better get writing!

Real quick note: a story I wrote will be in a published anthology. It will be available to order in.... 10 DAYS!!!! I'm so excited!

Well, I did it. I joined WW today. (If you notice the ticker, it's changed! Their scale said I weighed more, so I decided to go by that. I hate the scale we have!) Of course, that means I have more to lose, but what the heck.

On the up side, I've drunk SO MUCH water today it isn't even funny! If nothing else, that's a great habit to have since the kidney stone episode.

What a great way to start the year: 3 pounds lighter!

Obviously, weight loss is one of my goals for 2007. Notice, I didn't say "resolutions." I don't make resolutions. Everyone breaks those. I do, though, make goals that I strive to keep and that's one of them this year.

I've been toying with the idea of joining Weight Watchers, but have a problem with that. First, it can be expensive. It looks like $40 a month, which I guess isn't *that* bad, but still.... And I'm not the one to usually spend money on myself like that.

Then there's the whole "getting to the meetings" part. I guess that wouldn't be so bad. I know if I'm spending $40 a month, I'll make sure I get there. Part of being frugal, you know. (No one likes to be cheap!)

I know darn well that I need motivation. Hubby says he'll walk with me, but I'm not sure that will happen and (knowing me like I do!) him NOT saying "let's go" will be the excuse I need to blow it off.

Other health goals I have this year include to exercise daily, to drink my 64 oz of water each day, complete six volksmarches in the year, and walk the "circuit" -- a 4 mile circle near our home -- at least once a week. Now, I know that I won't get to that last one right away. I need to be in better shape first!!!

Wish me luck!

Today the little one reminded me she's not so little anymore. She was installed as Guide in her Job's Daughter's Bethel and looked absolutely gorgeous in the formal we bought a year or so ago. It's hard to believe that she will one day have the cape and crown of the queen in that organization. She's not going to be the "little one" for much longer, I don't think.

The best part (for her) is that her best friend will follow right behind her. Those two are closer than most sisters I've met. I know it was surprising to her friend's mom and dad -- or my kid's "other parents" as she calls them -- when my kiddo introduced them as part of her family. Heck, they're good people for her to have as another family, so long as I still get the tax credit! *smile*

Anyway, I'm really proud of the kid. She's becoming an amazing young lady.

Good thing my husband is red-neck enough to have many weapons which will need regular cleaning as this one becomes dating age....

My daughter and I often stop to get a coffee while we're out and about. I'll admit, I do like this one, too! Although, I'm more of a chocolate girl!

Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino

Smooth and sweet, you fit in to almost any crowd. No one would suspect you of being a coffee tweaker!

What Flavor Frappuccino Are You?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I think this will go down as one of the most memorable Christmas's ever around my house. In addition to not sleeping so well the past week or so (I HATE acid-reflux!!), we started the Christmas holiday with a trip to the ER! Yep. You read it right! A trip
to the Emergency Room was stop number one on Christmas Eve.

It seems that I was so focused on my upper digestive tract, that I missed the tell-tale signs of a kidney stone until I awoke in severe pain Sunday morning. After four hours in the ER (I'm *so* glad we don't live in a big city, since it only took four hours!), I found out the stone is about 5mm and might pass on it's own, or might not.

I did get some good drugs out of the deal, though.

My current plans for the day after Christmas now involve a trip to the doctor... Oh well!

DRAT! No sleep last night.

Last night was even worse then the night before, and I really don't know why. There was literally NOTHING (diet-wise) that was the same between the two days.

I did go out this morning to get some Kefir.
(On a side note, I should have known that the Wonder Twin would have an
answer!) The local "spice market" had two flavors: peach and raspberry.
Since I don't like peach, I got a bottle of raspberry. I drank some
right away when I got home. It wasn't bad! I kind of expected it to
tasty nasty. Like something that was "good for you." But I really liked
it.

Now let's just hope it works!

Life isn't fair.

Yes, I know that is not a new revelation, but it's what is on my mind right now.

It is the wee hours of the morning and I can't sleep. It's not that I
don't want to sleep. It's not that I don't feel tired. I suffer from
acid-reflux and tonight isn't a night that will let me sleep.

For anyone who doesn't suffer with this cruel trick of nature, you are
lucky. You have no idea how lucky you are. Me, I have to purchase tums
by the crate. The prescription , once-a-day drugs don't always work.
And, try as I might, I haven't been able to determine what types of
foods trigger an attack.

What is an attack like? I'm glad you asked. It's the worst heartburn you've ever had. It's gas trying to escape your belly. It's a coughing as the bile escapes your stomach and makes its way up your esophagus. It's a burning in your throat as
you feel nauseous with the plastic-like taste of a lump of stomach acid. It's all that combined and more.

Someone I love suffers from chronic back pain. During these nights of forced insomnia, I envy his pain. Because his pain is chronic, he knows it will be there. I never know what night I'll sleep and what night I'll be awake, wishing for comfort. Or what night I will be awoken from a sound sleep, feeling as if I'm drowning because of the acid reflux. Or what night I'll be worshiping porcelain god like some over-indulgent frat boy, feeling the burning in my throat for hours afterward.

I've tried all I can think of to alleviate the discomfort. I sleep with LOTS of pillows to keep my head propped up. It doesn't always work -- as evidenced by me writing this at one in the morning. I eat anti-acids like candy and try to avoid any foods I think MAY cause a reaction. (A difficult task since I can be suffering one day and not another after eating the same foods....)

Tonight I will spend the rest of the "sleeping hours" on the couch - sitting up, trying to get some much needed rest. I can tell now that my brain won't be functioning that well once the sun comes up. But what other choice do I have?

I'm half way done with baking Christmas cookies. The kid decided that she wanted some, even after I explained that it was faster to buy Oreos. Didn't work.

So right now, in the kitchen, I have a batch of Peanut Butter Stars, a pan of Fantasy Fudge, a batch of Chocolate Chip, and one of Forgotten Kisses.

So much for the diet.....

You Are a Dreaming Soul

Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this world So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all... But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you. Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses. Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others. Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life. Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Another intersting quiz....

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by mysti


Just for the record, right now my sister is laughing her head off.... Buttercup is my least favorite character from that film!

Finished this afghan yesterday morning. It's a Christmas gift for someone who I know doesn't read my blog, so it's OK to post, right? *big smile!*

It isn't the style I would have picked for this person, but it is a nice afghan.

I just hope she likes it....

My teen has an "old heart," I think. She wanted a quilt like the one I had made earlier but she didn't want it Halloween fabric.

Originally, she wanted the entire quilt to be a surprise. I'm glad we didn't go that route!

I convinced her to at least pick out fabric for the back of the quilt. Well, that led to her selecting ALL the fabric. WOW! I never would have picked any of these for her -- or any other teen, really. To me, this fabric is all "old!"

But she likes it. No, she LOVES it. So I guess it's all OK after all!

It's official. I live in the country. My husband took this picture off of our back porch today. How cool is that???

Day 22:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 36,674
Total words written: 50,006
Words left to reach 50,000: NONE!!! I wrote like a mad woman today and did it!!!!

And a bit of insomnia where I was working on another project didn't hurt! *big smile!*

Day 20:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 33,340
Total words written: 31,109
Words left to reach 50,000: 18,891

OK, so I have had two days in a row of "not so much writing!" I spent a good chunk of the day at the doctor's office with the kiddo and the rest running what my sister called "Hospice House" But I'm not hearing any coughing coming from the child's room, so I'm OK with that. Maybe I'll be extra (triple!) inspired tomorrow!

Day 19:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 31,673
Total words written: 30,756
Words left to reach 50,000: 19,244

I think this one was the "least written" day so far. I'm battling a cold and have laryngitis. (Although the family doesn't seem to be complaining about *my* lack of noise.... hmmm....) Also, the kiddo is ill. I'll be making an appointment for her tomorrow — even if I have to take her to the urgent care clinic.

Today being *mom* trumped being an author. That's OK, though. I like the mom job better. As far as I'm concerned, it pays better!

Day 18:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 30,006
Total words written: 30,008
Words left to reach 50,000: 19,992

Day 17:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 28,339
Total words written: 28,355
Words left to reach 50,000: 21,645

Day 16:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 26,672
Total words written: 26,184
Words left to reach 50,000: 23,816

Day 15 (Half-Way Mark!):

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 25,005
Total words written: 25,018
Words left to reach 50,000: 24,982

Not bad sinc I now have the flu. Stuffy head, sore throat. Maybe just a cold, but still NASTY! I am grateful that I'm not running a fever, but it does make it tough to write a mystery.

Day 14:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 23,338
Total words written: 23,349
Words left to reach 50,000: 26,651

Day 13:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 21,671
Total words written: 21,674
Words left to reach 50,000: 28,326

Day 12:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 20,004
Total words written: 20,016
Words left to reach 50,000: 29,984

Day 11 (Happy Veteran's Day!):

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 18,337
Total words written: 18,566
Words left to reach 50,000: 31,434

Day 10:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 16,670
Total words written: 16,741
Words left to reach 50,000: 33,259

Day 9:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 15,003
Total words written: 14,007
Words left to reach 50,000: 35,993

Got some terrible news yesterday. My mother-in-law passed away. She suffered from Alzheimer's, and sometimes didn't recognize her family or friends. I know that she is now in a better place, where her mind is back and her memories are all good.

That doesn't make the grieving process any easier on my family, though.

Day 8:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 13,336
Total words written: 12,291
Words left to reach 50,000: 37,709

Day 7:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 11,669
Total words written: 11,686
Words left to reach 50,000: 38,314

Day 6:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 10,002
Total words written: 8,811
Words left to reach 50,000: 41,189

Well, my little sister did it. She tied the knot. (Or walked the plank, as you can see from her wedding picture!)

I'm a little bummed that they got married on "short notice" since it didn't work out for me to be there, but I totally understand why she did it.

The best part of the whole deal, in my opinion (and since this is my blog, that's what matters, right?) is that it was a surprise to many of the people who DID make their Halloween party. Obviously, my parents (oh, I suppose those would be my sister's parents as well!) and I guess his parents were in on the plan and they even found a judge who asked if any "scallywags or wenches" wanted to object! I got to hear most of the ceremony via cell phone, so that was kinda cool, too.

Again, I wish I coulda been there, but it wasn't in the cards (get it? I was a gypsy!). I do wish my sister and her new husband all the best, though!

Like I don't have enough stuff to do around here!! I decided that this would be a good time to make a quilt! (OK, so I'm nuts....)

This one is a rag quilt for my mother-in-law. She is in a nursing home and this will keep her warm. (Although, how warm do you need to be kept in Texas? *grin*) The pattern is called "Falling Leaves" and this is the first rag quilt I've ever done.
As my husband pointed out, this is the second quilt I've ever done, and we won't keep either of them!

What can I say? I'm a giver!

Day 5:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 8,335
Total words written: 8,379
Words left to reach 50,000: 41,621

Day 4:

Milestone to reach (to make 1,667 words a day): 6,668
Total words written: 6,673
Words left to reach 50,000: 43,512

Day 3

Total words written: 5,051
Words left to write: 44,949

Day 2

Total words: 3,502
Words left: 46,498

NaNoWriMo has begun!

Day 1 Status: 1,695 words written
48,305 words left to go!

Just want to take a moment to brag about the short story I wrote the other day. It's called "It's All In The Cards" and you can read it on my writing blog. Honestly, though, I'm just gosh-darned proud of it and think I did a pretty good job!

Well, the secret is out! The witch wall hanging has found a new home. I gave it to my sister for her birthday (which is this month) and she said it looked "an awful lot like one I saw on someone's blog!" At least I know she liked it!

OK, so I *finally* finished all the
parts to this goofy costume! The vest is done out of a fake-velvet with
a lining made of the same satiny material as the skirt. I did have to rib the lining out of the front for the vest to fit, though!

There's also a headband out of the purple.

I'm so ready for my sister's wedding!

I wasn't *just* making quilts the past few weekends. I did this costume for two reasons. One, my sister is getting married. She is thinking of doing a "rennaisance" wedding, so I decided to go in costume. I have a knight costume for my husband, but I haven't started it yet. This gypsy one is WAY more complicated!

The second reason is that our daughter is going to a halloween party with her friends and (of course) I'll be there to chaperone. As long as I had the pattern and material, I might as well make the costume in time for that, too!

There is still a vest that I need to finish. I cut it out tonight and hope to sew it up tomorrow afternoon!

Now, what shoes does a gypsy wear???

I've been a busy bugger the past 2 weekends. The sewing machine doesn't have dust on it now!

If you can't tell, I've made my first real quilt!!! The only thing I have left to do on it is the actual quilting, which I'll probably -- hopefully! -- —finish tomorrow. Having never done more than just quilt around appliqués for wall hangings, this will be an experience.
The quilt was made with fabric for Halloween (obviously!) that I got on sale. It really was between 20 percent and 50 percent off, so I didn't mind "practicing" with it. Oh, the back side of the quilt is the same black and florescent material as the boarder.

I'm just so dang proud of myself!

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Merino Wool.You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to keep you close because you are so softhearted. You love to be comfortable and warm from your head to your toes.
Take this quiz!








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Which kind of candy are you?

You're Skittles!!! You have a very interesting personality, you're so unique. You're the kind of person who always thinks outside of the box. You're also a very accepting individual, and believe in inner beauty.
Take this quiz!








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Ok, I'm ready to rant about this wall hanging.

The pattern (it's from an "Art to Heart" book) calls for a spider-type button. Can you believe I couldn't find one? Anywhere! At least not in this town.

So I get the bright idea to embroider a spider. Really. How hard could it be? I have a fancy-shmancy machine. I found a spider pattern. No problem, right? WRONG!

Somehow the machine or the hanging moved mid-embroider. GRRR... I really wanted to save this, so I tried to take out the thousand-plus stitches without ruining the wall hanging, since I'm planning on giving it as a gift. Then my husband, bless him!, tried to help by offering suggestions. Now, I know he was trying to help, but I didn't want to hear it. (He suggested adding a broom in there.)

Finally, I decided to make it a BIG spider — so big no one could see where I'd removed spider number 1. So now the spider is really 3-D, made of pom poms and pipe cleaner!

And all because I couldn't find a button!