Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Ick!

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I wish Chaos had gotten into mud! Instead, she decided to poke her head around the grill last night. After hubby had roasted chicken on the BBQ. One side of her head is covered in chicken fat. It's so disgusting. I tried washing it, but she she still smells. I'm going to have to take her to one of those dog wash places or a groomers given I have a cast on one hand. Though I see the specialist today. Maybe he'll say I don't need a cast any longer! Fingers crossed!!!!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 44

Today do:

44 walking lunges or 44 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 44 arm circles
Sarita: 44 sit ups and 44 arm circles
Melissa: 44 sit ups, 44 arm circles
Dru: 44 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Internal Alarm Clocks

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I keep waking up earlier and earlier. No alarm clock (or alarm dog or cat) needed. Today it was 5:30 am. That's completely unheard of for me. The approaching deadline must be short-circuiting my normal inclination to sleep in.

I've never, ever been a morning person, but I'll take whatever extra writing time I can fine!

What time did you wake up today?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 42 and 43

Today do:

41 walking lunges or 41 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 43 arm circles
Sarita: 43 sit ups and 43 arm circles
Melissa: 43 sit ups, 43 arm circles
Dru: 43 arm circles

Yesterday you should have done:

42 walking lunges or 42 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 42 arm circles
Sarita: 42 sit ups and 42 arm circles
Melissa: 42 sit ups, 42 arm circles
Dru: 42 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Weekend Plans

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This weekend will be all about writing. I'll run to Mass and the grocery store at some point, but that's about it. My hand has been hurting. Not what I need right now. The cast wasn't put on as carefully as the first one so I have some fiberglass/skin contact, too. A wee bit uncomfortable at times.

What are you doing?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 41

Today do:

41 walking lunges or 41 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 41 arm circles
Sarita: 41 sit ups and 41 arm circles
Melissa: 41 sit ups, 41 arm circles
Dru: 41 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 40

Today do:

40 walking lunges or 40 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 40 arm circles
Sarita: 40 sit ups and 40 arm circles
Melissa: 40 sit ups, 40 arm circles
Dru: 35 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 39

Today do:

39 walking lunges or 39 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 39 arm circles
Sarita: 39 sit ups and 39 arm circles
Melissa: 39 sit ups, 39 arm circles
Dru: 39 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

See this...

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It is so me right now!!!!

Have a great day!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 38

Today do:

38 walking lunges or 38 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 38 arm circles
Sarita: 38 sit ups and 38 arm circles
Melissa: 38 sit ups, 38 arm circles
Dru: 38 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Off-line

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Kitteh might be on-line, but my productivity greatly increases when I'm not on-line so I'm limiting my Internet time for a couple of days because I have so much to do. I've preloaded the Crossfit challenge and will try to get blogs up if I reach my writing goals. I've just been stressing out, even with an extension, and need to get caught up on writing and life.

Hope you're having fun wherever you may be!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Inspiration

Last week, I met Amy at Noah's Bagels, which was halfway between our houses. It was great to see her and catch up. She excused herself to the rest room. Right then, a new song started playing from the overhead speakers. I listened to the lyrics a little, reached for the printed out scene that was in my purse and started scribbling a new scene on the back.

The song prompted a complete change in an important plot point. It was so clear to me what I needed to do now I wondered why I'd written it another way first.

Anyway, I now have another song to add to my book's soundtrack. Here it is:

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 37

Today do:

37 walking lunges or 37 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 37 arm circles
Sarita: 37 sit ups and 37 arm circles
Melissa: 37 sit ups, 37 arm circles
Dru: 37 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Monday, June 22, 2009

100 Things

I got this from Marianne.

The instructions: Just copy the list of 100 accomplishments, highlight the ones you've achieved in bold, and elaborate as desired.

001. Started my own blog.

002. Slept under the stars. Many times, but I remember once in Arizona when I was camping with a co-worker and a four-footed something paid us a visit and was walking on the bottom of my sleeping bag while I tried not to shriek or move.

003. Played in a band. Clarinet. I started in 5th grade and continued through college.

004. Visited Hawaii. First time was for Spring Break my sophomore year of college. Other times were when I worked for United Airlines since it was so cheap to get over there.

005. Watched a meteor shower.

006. Given more than I can afford to charity.

007. Been to DisneyWorld/Land. Disneyland more times than I can count.

008. Climbed a mountain. Not yet, but I hope to do this one of these days!

009. Held a praying mantis.

010. Sung a solo. I had to sing alone when I tried out for honors choir if that counts.

011. Bungee jumped.

012. Visited Paris. I backpacked around Europe after I graduated college.

013. Watched lightning at sea. On a cruise ship.

014. Taught myself an art from scratch. Wood burning.

015. Adopted a child.

016. Had food poisoning. And that's why I rarely eat Chinese food anymore.

017. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.

018. Grown my own vegetables.

019. Seen the Mona Lisa in France. See above for backpacking trip. It was smaller than I imagined.

020. Slept on an overnight train. See above for backpacking trip. I remember overnight trains from Paris to Cannes, Nice to Rome, Rome to Interlaken.

021. Had a pillow fight.

022. Hitchhiked.

023. Taken a sick day when you're not ill.

024. Built a snow fort.

025. Held a lamb. I fed a lamb when I was little and took some for myself. My mom was sure I would die drinking from the same bottle as it.

026. Gone skinny dipping. Last time was in Puerto Rico.

027. Run a marathon.

028. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.

029. Seen a total eclipse.

030. Watched a sunrise or a sunset.

031. Hit a home run.

032. Been on a cruise. A cruise in the Galapagos Islands and on the QE2 out of Southampton

033. Seen Niagara Falls in person.

034. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors.

035. Seen an Amish community.

036. Taught myself a new language. I'm learning Latin.

037. Had enough money to be satisfied. At times.

038. Had a tatoo removed.

039. Spit off a bridge.

040. Seen Michelangelo's David. It's gorgeous.

041. Sung karaoke. Other's wish I hadn't.

042. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt. I've been to Yellowstone twice.

043. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.

044. Visited Africa.

045. Walked on a beach by moonlight. We went to Antigua and Grenada for our Honeymoon.

046. Been transported in an ambulance. Did the for the first time on Memorial day.

047. Had my portrait painted.

048. Gone deep sea fishing.

049. Been to the Sistine Chapel in person.

050. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I think it was closed when we were there, but not sure which tells me that's probably a no. I'm going to have to ask my friend Deb.

051. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling. I'm certified for scuba diving.

052. Kissed in the rain.

053. Played in the mud.

054. Gone to a drive-in theater. My first movie was a drive-in. When I lived in Tempe, we used to go to the drive-in a lot. We'd bring lawn chairs and sit between to speakers. Fun times.

055. Been in a movie. I was an extra in Howard the Duck.

056. Visited the Great Wall of China.

057. Started a business.

058. Taken a martial arts class.

059. Visited Russia.

060. Served at a soup kitchen.

061. Sold Girl Scout cookies.

062. Gone whale watching.

063. Got flowers for no reason.

064. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.

065. Gone sky diving.

066. Visited a Nazi concentration camp site. Dachau

067. Bounced a check.

068. Flown in a helicopter.

069. Saved a favorite childhood toy up until adulthood. I still have a little pink phone my dad bought me for Christmas. I was four months old at the time.

070. Visited the Lincoln Memorial. I think I actually sat on his lap. This was back when I was little. I was born right outside DC.

071. Eaten caviar. It's salty.

072. Pieced a quilt.

073. Stood in Times Square.

074. Toured the Everglades.

075. Been fired from a job.

076. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London. A couple of different times on various trips to London.

077. Broken a bone. My thumb during a sailing race on SF Bay. My hubby-then boyfriend-told me nothing was wrong and made me keep going. It hurt so bad.

078. Been on a speeding motorcycle.

079. Seen the Grand Canyon in person. I used to live in Arizona.

080. Published a book. More than 1!

081. Visited the Vatican. Been to the museum, Mass and confession there.

082. Bought a brand new car. I've only owned new cars.

083. Walked in Jerusalem.

084. Had my picture in the newspaper. A couple of times.

085. Read the entire Bible.

086. Visited the White House. I'd have to ask my mom. I would have been very little if I did.

087. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.

088. Had chickenpox.

089. Saved someone's life.

090. Overcome a physical disability.

091. Met someone famous. Hayden Christensen in Reno.

092. Joined a book club. But I later quit.

093. Lost a loved one. Nephew

094. Had a baby. Three, actually.

095. Seen the Alamo in person.

096. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.

097. Been involved in a law suit.

098. Owned a cell phone. But I rarely use it. My hubby laughs at all my rollover minutes.

099. Been stung by a bee. A couple of times. Boy, does it hurt.

100. Ridden an elephant.

What about you?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 36

Today do:

36 walking lunges or 36 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 36 arm circles
Sarita: 36 sit ups and 36 arm circles
Melissa: 36 sit ups, 36 arm circles
Dru: 36 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day

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I hope all the dads, dads-to-be and grandfathers have a wonderful day! We'll be getting together with my family later. I can't wait to see everyone.

Don't forget about the contest. One blog comment equals one contest entry!

That's about it for now. I want to get some writing in while the house is still quiet.

Do you have any special Father's Day plans?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 35

Today do:

35 walking lunges or 35 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 35 arm circles
Sarita: 35 sit ups and 35 arm circles
Melissa: 35 sit ups, 35 arm circles
Dru: 35 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

My manuscript

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I saw this picture and thought of my work in progress. The manuscript isn't quite at the cocoon stage yet. There are still too many loose threads that need to go somewhere. But I'm hopeful that soon everything will be in a nice, neat package.

Once that happens, it's just a matter of polishing and and adding finishing touches so a beautiful butterfly emerges to fly across the Internet into the inbox of the continuity editor at Harlequin Mills & Boon. At least that's the plan.

Only time will tell if I end up with a butterfly or a moth!

I've got a quiet house and the next twenty four hours on my own to write. I'm so excited and have already made good progress. Hope you are having a nice Saturday!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 34

Today do:

34 walking lunges or 34 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 34 arm circles
Sarita: 34 sit ups and 34 arm circles
Melissa: 34 sit ups, 34 arm circles
Dru: 34 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Good news!

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I got a phone call from the doctor's office this morning. The CT results are in. My scaphoid is not fracture. Yippeee! No broken wrist.

I still have to deal with my thumb which isn't staying where it should so I got an extension on my book that was due July 1, but I'm so happy about my wrist!

Hope you have a wonderful Friday!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 33

Today do:

33 walking lunges or 33 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 33 arm circles
Sarita: 33 sit ups and 33 arm circles
Melissa: 33 sit ups, 33 arm circles
Dru: 33 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Mount Hood and more

Now that I finally got my pics downloaded here are a few that deal with my injury.

On Memorial Day, we arrived at Timberline early. The sun was shining. Perfect conditions for spring skiing. Hubby was going hiking while we skied and took this pic just before the kids and I set out that morning.

Hubby snapped this pic of one of the Snowcats on his way to hike. This is one of the nicer snowcats. When hubby climbed Mt. Hood, he rode up in an older one that they joked had been used when they filmed the movie The Shining. In the background you can see Timberline Lodge.

Chaos and hubby were hiking somewhere east of the lodge. Not exactly sure where, but this is one of the pics he took. She loves the snow and hiking. Her fave part, however, is descending. She loves to run down.



Hubby wanted to take pictures of me getting oxygen and being examined in the Ski Patrol First Aid room, but I waved him off. Talk about adding insult to injury! He settled for this shot.




On Wednesday, I saw a specialist and got a pink cast. This was to hold my thumb in place, and as of my last set of x-rays was working. I have never had a cast before so it was interesting to see how they put it on and how it hardens as it dries.




Here I am with the cast almost done. If you look closely, you can see the bruise on my right arm. I'm so thankful it was only a bruise and not a fracture!

I get more x-rays (praying my wrist really isn't broken!) and a new cast today.I'm still trying to figure out what color to get. Right now I'm leaning toward lime green, but my climbing and Crossfit friend Jen (as well as my son) think camo would be cool. Maybe pink camo. We'll see!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 32

Today do:

32 walking lunges or 32 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 32 arm circles
Sarita: 32 sit ups and 32 arm circles
Melissa: 32 sit ups, 32 arm circles
Dru: 32 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Norwegian Elkhounds

On Saturday, we attended a gathering of Norwegian Elkhounds as part of an AKC Breed event at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro, WA. Here's a picture of some of Norwegian Elkhounds and their owners. A few of the dogs there didn't get in the picture.

We have now met three of Chaos' pups. One happens to live in the housing development next to ours. Two more of Chaos' daughters were at the gathering. This is Athena (on left) and Chaos (on right). Athena lives in Eugene now. Both she and Chaos have similar hind legs and tails that flip in the same direction.

This is Tango, another one of Chaos' daughters. She's the same little puppy we played with in March 2008 when we were first thinking of getting Chaos. It was amazing, especially to Rose, to see how much she had grown.


Here is a picture of Tango back when she was only a couple of months old! This was taken when we met Chaos for the first time. I was amazed how much she looks like Chaos now that she's over a year old. When Tango laid her head on my lap the exact same way Chaos does, my heart melted. More than once I called her Chaos. Tango has many of the same mannerisms including drooling when she sees food and licking people.

Here are two more Elkhounds named Sheba (age 15) and Pepper (less than a year old) who live together. The puppy, Pepper, had boundless energy and wanted to play all the time. Sheba was a lot more mellow and a total sweetheart.


It was a wonderful day of meeting dogs and their owners, having a delicious pot luck lunch and watching a few of the Norwegian Elkhounds compete in a dog show!

Many of the Elkhounds in attendance were rescue dogs. It was wonderful to see them thriving in new homes and surrounded by love. This was one of Chaos' best days ever! Ours, too!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 31

Today do:

31 walking lunges or 31 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 31 arm circles
Sarita: 31 sit ups and 31 arm circles
Melissa: 31 sit ups, 31 arm circles
Dru: 31 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 30

Today do:

30 walking lunges or 30 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 30 arm circles
Sarita: 30 sit ups and 30 arm circles
Melissa: 30 sit ups, 30 arm circles
Dru: 30 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Missing Card Reader

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I still can't find my card reader so I haven't been able to download all the dog pics. I'll keep looking, but only after getting my writing time. I'll put the kids and hubby on it tomorrow if it's still missing!

Hope you're having a good Monday. I've spent mine working though I got a break to go to the closing Little League ceremonies and watch my son's team, The Mudcats, get their first place trophies. Really nice trophies, too!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 29

Today do:

29 walking lunges or 29 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 29 arm circles
Sarita: 29 sit ups and 29 arm circles
Melissa: 29 sit ups, 29 arm circles
Dru: 29 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

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Sunday, June 14, 2009

New Contest

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I've had so much going on with my hand and such I forgot to put together a contest for the release of my new book, Dream Date with the Millionaire. So here it is:

1st prize: A $10 Amazon gift certificate or four books off the list here.

2nd prize: A $5 Amazon gift certificate or 2 books off the list here.

3rd prize: One book off the list here.

The winners of the three prizes will be announced on July 13th. The date holds no significance except it's far enough past July 1st that my deadline, and any extension should I need it, will be over with. Winners will be posted and need to check back on the blog to see if they won!

Each comment gives you one entry so the more you comment the more entries you receive. You do not need to leave your email address since winners will be announced on the blog and it's up to them to contact me.

Okay, I need to get back to work on the book!

Hope you're having a great weekend. We had a blast yesterday with all the Norwegian Elkhounds. I have tons of pics I need to download and will once I find the card reader!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 27 and Day 28

Today do:

28 walking lunges or 28 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 28 arm circles
Sarita: 28 sit ups and 28 arm circles
Melissa: 28 sit ups, 28 arm circles
Dru: 28 arm circles

Yesterday you should have done:

27 walking lunges or 27 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 27 arm circles
Sarita: 27 sit ups and 27 arm circles
Melissa: 27 sit ups, 27 arm circles
Dru: 27 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Random Friday

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I got a call from the ambulance company yesterday wanting to know if I have insurance so I gave them all the info. That should be an interesting bill. I'm praying that was my first and last ambulance ride.

Tomorrow we're taking Chaos to a Norwegian Elkhound gathering. It's put on by her original mom, who hasn't seen her since she dropped her off at our house a year ago April. We're hoping to see Chaos' mom, daughter, half sister and half brother. The kidlets are so excited!

I'm spending as much time as I can writing. That panicky, need-to-buy extra chocolate feeling is setting in. Couple that with a hurting hand, and I'm a little freaked out. But I usually do my best writing in these conditions so I shouldn't worry!

I keep forgetting I have a book, Dream Date with the Millionaire, on sale right now. I'll come up with a contest to run for the remainder of its release this weekend so stay tuned!

Any random things you want to share?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 26

Today do:

26 walking lunges or 26 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 26 arm circles
Sarita: 26 sit ups and 26 arm circles
Melissa: 26 sit ups, 26 arm circles
Dru: 26 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 25

Today do:

25 walking lunges or 25 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 25 arm circles
Sarita: 25 sit ups and 25 arm circles
Melissa: 25 sit ups, 25 arm circles
Dru: 25 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Summer is almost here!

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I don't have much to say today except I'm busy writing and really happy summer is almost here. My schedule of extra curricular kidlet activities keeps diminishing each day!

Last night was my son's final Little League game. His team won! They also are the league champions. All that's left is closing ceremonies where they receive trophies. A couple activities will remain over the summer, but one of them, piano, will only be twice a month.

I'm not sure what I'll do without having to run all over town each afternoon, sometimes trying to be two places at once! I just know I can imagine the gas savings already!

How is your summer shaping up to be?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 24

Today do:

24 walking lunges or 24 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 24 arm circles
Sarita: 24 sit ups and 24 arm circles
Melissa: 24 sit ups, 24 arm circles
Dru: 24 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Trapped!

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It happened again. When I get home, Chaos is right at the door to greet me. Not this time.

My first thought was she must be asleep. It was a little warm so I figured she must have fallen asleep on the tiled floor of my bathroom.

I walked upstairs to find Chaos standing in the middle of my bedroom surrounded by the three cats. Rocket and Spirit were blocking the door, and Smalls was blocking the way back into the bathroom. Poor doggie! She wanted to badly to get out of there, but wouldn't move.

I really wonder what goes on when I'm gone. Sometimes I see streaks of fur dashing up the stairs when I walk in the door. Too bad I can't install a kitty cam somewhere to see exactly what they are doing to poor Chaos!

At least it's never dull around here with the kitties, kidlets and dog!

Hope you have a great day! I'm heading to OMSI with the kids for science lab field trips. Later it's the final Little League game of the season. And I'll also be writing, writing, writing. That July 1st deadline is fast approaching and that means one thing... Time to buy lots more chocolate!

Anything going on with you?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 23

Today do:

23 walking lunges or 23 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 23 arm circles
Sarita: 23 sit ups and 22 arm circles
Melissa: 23 sit ups, 23 arm circles
Dru: 23 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Monday, June 08, 2009

The Call of the Wild

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One of the biggest bummers about the injury to my hand is what it'll mean for my summer. I spent the first half of 08 doing Crossfit and gym climbing as much as I could to get in good enough shape to improve my rock climbing skills and give alpine climbing a try only to have to deal with carpal tunnel syndrome like symptoms for the second half of the year.

Once I'd gotten those hand issues under control earlier this year, I was trying to get back into a workout routine of Crossfit and gym climbing to start preparing again. I was so looking forward to getting into climbing more seriously. And then the fall skiing.

Now it looks as if I'll be sidelined all summer, possibly longer, from even gym climbing, and I fear my alpine rock dreams will remain just that...dreams. I really wished I'd discovered climbing when I was twenty-two, not twenty years later. Sigh...

At least I can live vicariously through other climbers' adventures. These are things I could never ever attempt (see the above LOLcat pic for my current MO, not to mention my fear of heights) but as I said I like to dream! And these guys rock. Literally. They are alpinists extraordinaire. These are talented, professional climbers who are out in the middle of nowhere, sometimes on mountains that have never been climbed before or even named. It's scary and totally awe-inspiring.

Two I have enjoyed reading are Colin Haley's Skagit Alpinism and Joe Puryear's blog. They don't post regularly, but when they do it's worth a read and you get to see some amazing photographs.

In April, I found Micah Dash's blog through a link the Climbing Cutie posted on a climbing forum and was looking forward to reading more when he returned from his latest climb in China. Unfortunately the trip he was preparing for ended with an avalanche. Two team members, Jonny Copp and Wade Johnson, have been recovered. The search is still on for Micah. Prayers for them, their families and friends.

Is there anything or anyone you follow on-line so you can live vicariously? If you do, please post a link so I can check it out!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 22

Today do:

22 walking lunges or 22 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 22 arm circles
Sarita: 22 sit ups and 22 arm circles
Melissa: 22 sit ups, 22 arm circles
Dru: 22 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Sunday, June 07, 2009

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 21

Today do:

21 walking lunges or 21 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 21 arm circles
Sarita: 21 sit ups and 21 arm circles
Melissa: 21 sit ups, 21 arm circles
Dru: 21 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Irish Dance Weekend

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The kidlets are competing this weekend at a local Irish dance feis. My oldest placed fourth in her competition, the first time she'd placed since moving to Preliminary Championship in May. She's very excited.

We ended up bringing home a boy dancer from Seattle for the afternoon so he could play with my son. The two play together every feis, and it was great to get them out of a hotel ballroom for a few hours.

Tomorrow the other two kidlets dance. My son is happier to be dancing this time. He still has a black eye, but it's not nearly as bad as it was in May. My youngest lost one of her front teeth and looks so darn cute when she smiles. I don't like to be a stage mom, but I must admit, I did tell her to make sure she was giving the judge a great big smile!

With all that's been going on here the last couple of weeks, dancing hasn't been a priority. I just hope they go out there and have fun.

Are you having fun where you are?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 20

Today do:

20 walking lunges or 20 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 20 arm circles
Sarita: 20 sit ups and 20 arm circles
Melissa: 20 sit ups, 20 arm circles
Dru: 20 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Friday, June 05, 2009

Release Day!

My latest Harlequin Romance, Dream Date with the Millionaire, goes on sale today! If you want to know more about the book check out the Blinddatebrides.com. This was the book I was writing last year at this time.

I may have already posted this, but here's what RT had to say about the book:
DREAM DATE WITH THE MILLIONAIRE (4) by Melissa McClone: When one of his employees red-flags Dani Bennett's account, BlindDateBrides. com CEO Bryce Delaney investigates her himself. He doesn't expect to click with Dani -- or to actually want to date her -- but before he knows it, they're involved. Dani's admission that she's actually the marketing director for a rival dating site is a bump in the road for both, but the real deal-breaker for Dani is Bryce's need to protect -- and perhaps control -- her. Great characters with a genuine spark between them, a realistically paced romance and just the right amount of humor add up to a winner.

—Catherine Witmer

I'll be writing today. What about you?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 19

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 19

Today do:

19 walking lunges or 19 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 19 arm circles
Sarita: 19 sit ups and 19 arm circles
Melissa: 19 sit ups, 19 arm circles
Dru: 19 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Good news, bad news

The good news is my thumb is where it should be, and I can type all I want! The doctor said typing will actually help healing so this made me very happy.

The bad news is the doctor thinks I may have also broken my wrist. There looks to be a fracture in a not-so-good place on one of the x-rays. I'll go back in two weeks to have the cast removed, more x-rays taken then a new cast put on. If it's broken like she thinks, I'll be in a cast for a while to see if it heals naturally. And if it doesn't... I don't even want to think about that.

Thanks for all your comments yesterday. I really appreciate them.

Hope this is a good news day for you all!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 18

Today do:

18 walking lunges or 18 step ups


Also do:

Brandy: 18 arm circles

Sarita: 18 sit ups and 18 arm circles

Melissa: 18 sit ups, 18 shoulder presses, 18 arm circles

Dru: 18 arm circles



Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Swollen

I NOT FEELS SO GOOD � IS MAH TONSILS SWOLLEN
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It's not my tonsils that feel swollen, but my left hand. It really started bothering me yesterday. Hubby thinks I've been typing to much on the book. I'm going to give writing by hand a try and limit my time at the keyboard as much as I can until I see the doctor on Thursday! Thanks goodness Dru took over the Crossfit Challenge for me!

Anyway, talk to you soon.

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 17

Today do:

17 walking lunges or 17 step ups

Also do:
Brandy: 17 arm circles
Sarita: 17 sit ups and 17 arm circles
Melissa: 17 sit ups, 17 shoulder presses, 17 arm circles
Dru: 17 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Opps. I scheduled this for PM, not AM. Here it is now.

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Update from the front

but i wuznt eben neer da vase wen it broek...
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The cats continue their battle against Chaos. They've increased their full frontal assaults. A few of these have been without any provocation, leading Chaos to be on ready alert 24/7. Her reflexes continue to improve as do her wide-berthing skills. No direct hits have been made.

The feline troops continue to unite. Two have taken to napping together again. This is the first time in years this has happened.

More updates to follow.

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 16

Today do:

16 walking lunges or 16 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 16 arm circles
Sarita: 16 sit ups and 16 arm circles
Melissa: 16 sit ups, 16 arm circles
Dru: 16 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Monday, June 01, 2009

Welcome June!

I am so relieved May is behind me. It was a horrible month for us. The only thing I didn't have to deal with was death. Thank goodness, but I must admit I was wondering what this weekend might bring.

Here's a recap that will explain why the kidlets and I want to skip May next year...

Trips to the hospital: 4
Number of hospitals visited: 3
Number of visits to Ski Patrol First aid: 3
# of CT scans preformed: 2
# of times X-rays taken: 3
IVs: 1
Oxygen: 1
Ambulance rides: 1
Visits to regular doctor: 2
Visit to specialists: 2

I don't dare put in the days I actually managed to write in there. Or a few financial things that surfaced. And a couple of other issues that I just want to forget about.

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and sometimes those curve balls keep coming and coming. No matter how hard you try to hit that ball, you just go down swinging. And occasionally you even get caught looking.

That was our May. I started the month sick after getting my proposal written and turned in, the next week my youngest got really sick, then my son got hit in the face with a baseball, then my fall while skiing.

But now that June's arrived, I have to believe the worst is behind us. Oh, I still have a ways to go with my recovery, and until more x-rays are taken on Thursday surgery is still a possibility, but the writing is finally flowing, and I even found the first song in my book soundtrack for The Best Man and the Bride (working title.)



So it's all good. You hear that June!!!! A-L-L G-O-O-D. I don't want to have to skip you next year, too!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 15

Today do:

15 walking lunges or 15 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 15 arm circles
Sarita: 15 sit ups and 15 arm circles
Melissa: 15 sit ups, 15 shoulder presses, 15 arm circles
Dru: 15 arm circles

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!