Weight Loss Wednesday!

Hey guys!

I don't get on the scale very often, but today I decided to see where I was, especially because the dr's office had my weight lower than I was used to seeing! And sure enough, I'm down 12 pounds from the highest weight I've been while not pregnant. (I was the same weight at 9 months pregnant as I was at my highest without a bun in the oven... that was an eye opener!)

All I've done is walk a little more, up and down the stairs more often, more stretching/yoga/meditation, lower fat diet, and possibly some stress and being sick helped a tiny bit. It's okay, but I'm not going to let sick or stress pounds come back once they're gone!

A lot of people have asked if we're going to have more kids, but I honestly have to say that I am happy to have my body to myself, to focus on nourishing myself and taking care of me. I just can't imagine taking care of another little person when I am feeling so confident in my body again. When it comes to this topic, I say "been there, done that" and it was a life experience I'll never forget, but don't necessarily want to repeat.

I'm excited to see how many more pounds I can melt off these tired bones and hope that I will feel healthier and more energetic as time goes by!

Stay healthy friends, and thanks for stopping by!

Book review Tuesday? Oops!

Yikes! I was so busy yesterday I forgot to post, so you'll get a two for one deal today!

Another guest appearance by M.R. Pritchard!

The Golem and the Jinni

THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI by Helen Wecker is set in NYC in the late nineteenth century. As this book starts we are introduced to our main characters the Golem, a woman crafted from clay and infused with the traits of obedience, curiosity, intelligence, virtuous and modest behavior. The Golem is crafted to be the wife of a Prussian Jew, who also happens to die on their voyage to America. What we have left is a woman with the ability to hear everyone's wants and needs, since she is now without her master.

Enter the Jinni, a tall and attractive "Genie in a bottle" who is released accidentally by a tinsmith. The Jinni is a creature of fire. Wild and selfish, the Jinni yearns to return to his natural form, but since he is conflicted with a bit of memory loss, he can't remember who bound him in his human form.

Eventually the Golem and the Jinni's paths cross and an unlikely friendship is born as they both explore humans and their own humanity. The story line delves into the Jewish and Syrian cultures, and their respective religions.

The prose is thoughtful, never hurried, and the intertwining of history and fairy tale prove charming.

4/5

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Thanks for stopping by!

TV Monday!

I'm bored with movies, so I'm going to review some tv shows that I love. Plus, I haven't watched a whole lot of new movies lately. When I'm sick, I like to watch the same old stuff because it tires me out and I fall asleep!

I picked:

Scrubs!! This was my go-to show while I was sick, I actually got through most of the seasons, especially at night when I was up coughing up my lungs. I love this show, it is the perfect combination of crazy, funny, emotional and honest. If you haven't seen it, all the seasons are on Netflix right now.

Watch it! And thanks for stopping by!

Restart!

Hello friends!

I've been sick all week, with little energy and lots of tissues. I finally broke down and went to the dr, and it's not the flu or anything serious-just a bad sinus infection, but it's still had me on the couch most of the week. I felt so bad for my son, who is on spring break and has sadly had to spend it chilling with me and watching movies. (I don't think he's that upset about it, he's never had this much tv time!) My favorite is the current The Magic School Bus marathon we're watching on Netflix. The best show ever!

I have three editing projects over the next couple of months, plus planning my vendor and crafter event:
Click here to see our Facebook event page.

I'm also planning on doing a summer event. So I'm keeping busy, but I'm going to try and keep up with the blog as best I can!

Thanks everyone for checking in and cheers to becoming healthy again!

Thanks for stopping by!

Guest Reviewer!

I must confess. I have been insanely busy lately!!! I've begun planning events a little more often, my It Works business has taken off and will hopefully be soaring soon, and I've been trying to write on the side. All that in addition to my house and family, and whew! I'm falling asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow these days!

For that reason, I have enlisted the help of the person who rocketed my editing career, my sister site; M.R. Pritchard to help me with my book review Tuesdays. I haven't a lot of time for recreational reading as lately I've been reading editing articles and books to help my career. She'll be filling in for April and maybe some of May. Trust this girl, she has great taste in books!

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War of Gods Box Set

I started out by reading the first book, Damian's Oracle, as a free Kindle book and that was so good (up reading until 4am good) that I splurged and bought the boxed set. The War of the Gods series is a Paranormal Romance. The paranormal aspects are pretty cool. There’s the White God and the Black God who are at war with each other. The White God, Damian, and his team of badass dudes with God-like powers, have been banished to earth to fight the forces of the Black God. Throughout the series, each member of the White God’s team find their mates. There is a lot of action and the Romance aspects are enough to warm your heart without graphic details. Books 1 and 4 were definitely the best of the bunch. Still, great series. The War of Gods Series reminded me of Elisabeth Naughtons Eternal Guardians series, with a bit more edge.

4/5 stars


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That's it for today guys, thanks for stopping by!!!

Movie Monday!

Here's today's movie!

Had to go a little old school this time. My son LOVES this movie. I have to say that I agree, it's pretty amazing. They just don't make movies like these anymore. I love it, and you should definitely watch this because it's old and awesome and totally goofy. And you should order a pizza while you watch it, because you should always eat pizza while you watch Ninja Turtles!

Thanks for stopping by!

The Book Store Series, Part 10

Yeah, I'm back. Sorry I've kept you on the edge of your seats for so long! I've been writing and rewriting BSS for weeks now, and it's going to be a lot different final draft than what I've been posting, but at least you guys can kind of see where it's going with these super rough drafts weekly (or semi-weekly anyways!).

If you missed the last one, here it is!
Part 9

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I was on my back and the insides of my eyelids were bright red, like I was waking up next to a window on a sunny morning. I squished them closed tight and put my hands over my face to try to block out the light. I felt sleepy and just wanted to finish my dream about the bookstore and Theo gone missing, I wanted to know what happened next. I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep again, but decided to rest for a while. A few more minutes of lying here won’t hurt, right? I thought to myself.

As I lay there, my other senses triggered an alarm in my head. I listened, and heard water running and birds chirping. Had I left the TV on? I sniffed and an earthy, floral scent filled my nose. I moved my hands away from my closed eyes and put them down by my sides, and I felt leaves and grass. What? My eyes shot open and I sat straight up.

I was in a forest clearing, a stream flowing through the woods outside the grassy oasis.

“Well, took you long enough,” a deep masculine voice said.

“Ahh!” I shrieked and jumped up, looking around. Not far from me, a man sat on the ground, leaning against a tree. He was handsome, had tousled dark brown hair that fell in his eyes, which were blue. He stood, and proved to be tall and muscular. He was good-looking, yes, but what caught my eye was what he was wearing. He had leather cuffs on his wrists, an ivory colored loose shirt that laced down the neck a few inches, brown leather boots and brown snug pants.

“Oh for crying out loud, I’ve been kidnapped by a Renaissance actor. Okay, what’s the deal? Is this a dream? And if it isn’t, who the heck are you? And where are we? If you try anything, I’ll kill you. I’m a New Yorker you know.” I stood up tall, but took a step back, ready to sprint if necessary.

And that’s when I noticed it. I was wearing pants today. I looked down, and there it was: a dress. Not just any dress, but a sparkly royal purple Renaissance dress, puffy shoulder sleeves and all. I had been to a local fair a few times, enough to know that this dress was not for the peasants. I felt my hair, which was loose and curly. I had no pockets and no purse, which also meant no cell phone, no money and no ponytail holders.

“What the..?” I put my hands out, speechless. I looked across the clearing. Mystery Man just stood there, an irritating grin across his face. “What?” I asked, grumpy.

“Nothing. I’m just amused.”

“Lovely. I’m glad I can entertain you. Who are you anyway?” I humphed and crossed my sequined arms in front of me. I was pretty sure if this guy was going to hurt me, he would have done it already.

“I’m Finley, but everyone calls me Finn. I’m here to help.” I noticed he had no Renaissance accent, and spoke like your average northeastern American.

“Well, Finn, you’re going to have to help me figure out what is going on then, because I have no idea. What’s the deal?” I watched him, gauging his personality, trying to figure him out.

“I’m not really sure where you want me to start, but I’ll do my best. You’re part of an elite group of people called Librum Desultor. Loosely translated, it means ‘book jumper’ and there’s no rhyme or reason as to who can do it. Sometimes it runs in families and sometimes it doesn’t. Your ancestors might have also had this ability. Right now you’re inside a book called As Knight Falls, yes that’s with a ‘k’.” I made a face at the word play, and Finn continued. “And it’s set in the Renaissance period. So you were right about the time period, wrong about me kidnapping you.”

“Ummmm…Yeah. You stay here, I’m going to find the police. See ya!” I turned around, but stopped as I searched the woods, trying to decide which direction to go. I had no idea where I was or what was near, so wherever I decided to head would be a guess. I turned back to Finn.

“Where are you going to go? There are no big cities here, and the chance you’ll choose the path to the hamlet is slim. There are no police, just the king’s army, and they will lock you up or hang you for insanity or witchcraft. Do you want my help or not?” He watches me, knowing I have no choice but to let him help me.

“Wait, how do you know my name? You know what? Never mind. I don’t even care. Okay, Muscles. I just want to get back to my cozy little New York apartment. Can you make that happen?”

“Not necessarily, but I will do my best. And Finn will do, Your Highness.” He picked up a satchel on the ground near the tree, and headed into the woods. “Hurry up, Princess, your court awaits you.”

I hurried after him, and when I caught up I asked, “I’m Lily, by the way. What do you mean by Princess?”

“In this book, my lady, you are Princess Isabelle.” He stopped walking, turned and took a deep bow. He turned back to his path and continued walking.

“Oh no. This cannot be happening. I am the least graceful or social person in existence. I don’t know how to be a princess. This day can’t get any worse.” But it did. 

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Okay, have a great weekend everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Writing inspiration

If you are trying to write the next great American novel or a blog post or a journal entry, where do you get your inspiration and where do you write most productively?

I have tried to write at home, and the chores seem to call out to me over my laptop. Yes, I see you, pile of laundry, sitting on the couch, waiting to be folded and put away. Yes, I just heard the last click of the dishwasher as it finished the drying cycle. Oh vacuum, you hot mess, with your cord all unraveled in the corner of the living room.

I promptly shut the lid on my laptop and answer the call of the house, begging to be cleaned. Writing time is over.

The best place I have found to stay focused is in the car. I leave the house a little early to pick up my son from school, this has double benefits; I get prime parking at the school and plenty of time to write, uninterrupted and completely focused.

We also live near a lake, and sometimes I park by the marina and the calmness (and sometimes roughness) of the water helps inspiration flow and helps me get on a roll with my writing.

It might take a little time, a little investigating, and some trial and error, but eventually you'll find the perfect place that will fuel your writing engine (your brain!).

Thanks for stopping by!