Crossfit Challenge Day 28

Today do:

27 sit ups, 27 push ups (or sub exercise) and 27 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Plans

more animals

I've decided to stop using The Plan. I gave Elizabeth Boyle's writing schedule (aka The Plan) a really good go on more than one book, but the same thing happened each time. Life is so crazy around here and unpredictable that I just kept getting more and more freaked out when I'd stare at my plan and see how behind I'd fallen. I'm sure it works great for many writers, just not me.

What I've realized works best to me is a daily page/word count five days a week. If I fall behind, I have two other days to catch up. That's my new plan and I'm hoping it does not go awry with the new book. So far so good though. I finished the synopsis last night!

What's on your agenda this weekend? I'm going to drive into Portland to see my friend Elizabeth mentioned above. She's in town for the Celebrate Romance conference. If you're local, you can see Elizabeth, Jane Porter and lots of other romance writers at a huge booksigning at the Cedar Hills Borders at 6:30 pm on Saturday, February 28th. Me? I'll be at a talent show watching my kids Irish dance!

Crossfit Challenge Day 27

Sorry! I forgot I hadn't preloaded the entire week this weekend. But here it is, better late than never.

Today do:

27 sit ups, 27 push ups (or sub exercise) and 27 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! And don't forget you can break them up if you want. You can do some now and others later.

Clipping coupons

I had no idea when we started our Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover just how many resources there were out there to save money. My biggest eye opener was how much money coupons can save you on groceries. People complain that clipping coupons takes too much time. Guess what? You don't even need to clip them. Just put the coupon flyers in a file with the date and let all the coupon experts do the work for you.

What coupon experts?

There are kind, generous people who keep blogs about what's on sale where and which coupons to use when. And the blogs are free! FREE.

A few people told me about the Grocery Game, but that costs money to join (which is not in the budget!) so I started looking around to see if there were free sites that did something similar. I discovered BeCentsAble. Today they have Walmart sales listed. You can check out this list of stores and blogs broken down by region. Local bloggers keep their store's sales updated. Just click and you can see what coupons to pull out and use. I found a couple of NW bloggers and one's Sunday post on Frugal Living NW saved me 75% on my Safeway bill on Tuesday.

Are you a user of coupons? Any good sites you want to share on saving money with food?

Crossfit Challenge Day 26

Today do:

26 sit ups, 26 push ups (or sub exercise) and 26 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! We're over a quarter of the way through. Woo-hoo! Give yourselves all a pat on the back!

Beds

more animals

This picture describes both my animals and my kidlets. It cracks me up sometimes. We moved from a very small cottage to a house that was much larger. A house where everyone could have their own bedroom. But guess what? The kids all want to sleep in the same room, even if it means cramming in on the floor.

I finally gave up buying cat beds even though there are some really cool ones out there. The kitties are much happier in a box or the laundry basket. Of course, my bed (whether laundry is on it or not) is their preferred space.

The only one who actually uses her bed is Chaos. That's where she gets her treats. And when push comes to shove, and we're not going to bed when she wants, she'll actually lie on it! The kids were amazed by that. Me, too, actually after so many of the other beds around here (human and animal) go empty!

Today is Ash Wednesday so we're off to Mass. It's the first day of forty days of Lent. I'm still trying to decide what else to give up.

Hope you have a nice day!

Crossfit Challenge Day 25

Today do:

25 sit ups, 25 push ups (or sub exercise) and 25 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

I chatted with the Climbing Cutie today. He suggested I stop push ups and let my arms/hands heal completely. The Cutie said you could really sub anything (including just do another set of the other exercises), but also said ring rows would work as a substitute since you pull yourself up rather than push. You don't need rings, but can use towels or something else, but be careful with the grip. I was thinking the stretchy bands from Pilates might work if I place them from the pull up bar. I only have access to rings when I'm at the gym for Crossfit Kids. I haven't had time to get to Crossfit Washougal lately.

In case you have no idea what I'm talking about, this is a ring row:



Nichole taught me how to do these when I first started training with her. You start standing at a slight diagonal, then as you get stronger go more horizontal.

As for the Climbing Cutie, if you want to see what he did this weekend, check out this. There's a pic of him post workout, too!

Crossfit Challenge Day 24

Today do:

24 sit ups, 24 push ups (or sub exercise) and 24 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

For the last couple of weeks, my hands have been going numb again. Not every night, but occasionally, and this past week I had a little trouble during the day. The only difference has been the challenge. Then yesterday when I was on push up #19 (I was doing them all at once), I got a shooting pain down my right forearm. I'm going to email the climbing cutie and see if he can recommend a different exercise to substitute. I can't risk my hands again!

Training

more animals

My animals would totally agree with this picture. Pavlov would just nod his head if he saw how our four fur babies have trained us!

I can tell by each of my cats cries or meows what they want, whether it's water, food or love. I sleep with my left food out of the covers so Spirit can use it as a pillow. I always leave space on my left so Rocket can lie against me. And I always pop upstairs mid-morning if I'm not already up here to give Smalls her morning rubs. She'll be waiting for me on my bed.

The dog is no different. Chaos uses her head to move our hands so we'll rub her. She also likes routine so works hard to keep us all on it: up around 6ish to go out and eat, out again around sevenish and a teeth bone, dinner at six and sleep at nine though we're rarely ready for that so she's had to push that out a little.

Last night, she was so funny. While hubby and I sat on the couch and discussed a book we're reading out loud with the kids, Crispin Cross of Lead by Avi, Chaos tried to get us to go to bed. She was so tired after a busy day. Back and forth, head nudges and licks. We didn't budge, so she curled on her cushion in the corner and went to sleep.

When it was time to head upstairs, she was so ready, but again wasn't happy when I realized I had to write a blog for The Wedding Planners that needed to be there in the morning. Chaos gave me that sad puppy look, then went into the bathroom to sleep.

I called her when I finally went to bed. She must have been ready because she flew onto the bed from hubby's side. She plopped her head and front paws down between me and hubby and went sound asleep in less than a few seconds. The funny part was her back end was on top of hubby. She was so tired she never made it all the way to the middle!

I've heard that Obedience school is more for the dog's owner than the dog itself as are animal behaviorists who deal with pets' problems/issues. I can believe it.

Hope you have a great Monday! I've got a synopsis to write and book to start. I can't wait! Do you have anything going on?

Crossfit Challenge Day 23

Today do:

23 sit ups, 23 push ups (or sub exercise) and 23 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Crossfit Challenge Day 22

Today do:

22 sit ups, 22 push ups (or sub exercise) and 22 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Minefields and clutter

more animals

This reminds me of my house. Between the cats, kids, dog, books and toys, I'm always negotiating a minefield. It's pretty deadly when I try to do it in the dark.

I've been working on decluttering. I managed to get the Great Room, kitchen and dinette area in pretty decent shape. At least surface wise. I never got into the built-in cabinets. But today was a working day so I couldn't declutter or clean. I left that to hubby. He spent the entire day in my oldest's bedroom. It was a mess, so bad, she couldn't do anything with it. But it's almost done and then she'll be in charge of keeping it clean.

A few months ago, I bought the kids a Financial Peace Jr. set from Dave Ramsey. Once all three of the kids' room and the play room are in order, they will be responsible for keeping it clean, plus a bunch of other chores. There's a nifty board for each child so they know what's expected of them. Fingers crossed it works, but it has to be better than what we have in place now...nothing!

I was at Amy's house on Friday morning and saw how organized she was. Only in my dreams! Still at least I'm doing something. Baby steps, I keep telling myself, both with the house and our budget. That's better than nothing!

Have a great Sunday!

Guilty Secrets

I recently received an email about the UK's World Book day. They are running a special campaign called guilty secrets. Readers can vote for their guilty secret reading pleasure. That is, the books they most enjoy reading, but don't like telling people about!

Mills & Boon, my publisher is listed as one of the author options so if you enjoy reading Harlequins, a vote for them would be most appreciated. They are up against some heavy hitters such as JK Rowling and Grisham. You can vote here. Thanks!

Crossfit Challenge Day 21

Today do:

21 sit ups, 21 push ups (or sub exercise) and 21 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

P.S. This weekend, I'll try to preload next week's posts so they pop up at midnight. That's what I was doing before the flu hit, and I need to do again for those of you on the east coast!

Crossfit Challenge Day 20

Today do:

20 sit ups, 20 push ups (or sub exercise) and 20 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Teachable Moments

The last couple of days have been interesting ones in regards to pets and my ten year old daughter. Chaos split a nail and got a string caught in it. Even though I was sick on Wednesday, I had to take her to the vet because the time they could get us in was only twenty minutes later than the retainer fix visit for my oldest. We needed to see how badly the nail was split and if it had gotten infected. Plus she was in pain and favoring that back paw. I didn't want to wait.

As we sat in the waiting room, two men came in. The younger man wore sunglasses and held an older dog in his arms, cradling the pup like a baby. The older man kept removing his glasses and wiping his eyes. I thought the dog must be really sick. It kept looking up at them, and they petted it with such love and kindness it filled me with warmth. The woman behind the desk made a comment about how the dog, Trixie if I heard the name correctly, had lived 17 good years and then she asked them about the euthanasia form. She also asked if they wanted the body. They did.

Tears welled in my eyes. I couldn't imagine how hard this must have been. I hugged Chaos really hard. I couldn't help but cry for all of them. Thank goodness for all Chaos' fur. Built in tissue.

While Chaos and I were in with the vet, my family arrived. Everyone was very nervous about her paw and hubby especially wanted to be there so they drove over after the orthodontist appointment. They were waiting for us when we walked out eager to know about the visit. Luckily, no infection and no further treatment needed.

On the way to the car, I mentioned to hubby about the little dog and how sad it had to be for that family after having her for seventeen years. My oldest overheard and gasped. She had seen them carrying the dog out afterwards and thought it was asleep. This led to a talk about animals getting older and sick and difficult decisions you sometimes have to make when you own a pet. Not exactly the conversation I'd expected to be having right then, especially when I felt the way I did, but her questions needed answers.

Then today, we went on a tour of the Humane Society. We had a great time learning about and visiting the animals, but it wasn't all wagging tails and cute kitties. While we were standing outside, we saw a woman drive up to drop off a dog. This repeated again later with a red-eyed woman bringing in another dog. Then inside the adoption kennel room, we saw a woman kneeling in front of a cage. The dog inside the kennel was going crazy. Happy crazy. Turns out the woman was the dog's former owner who had given it up.

The tour guide explained that there were many reasons people gave up pets, and that with the current economy, many owners can no longer afford to take care of their animals. I could see the questions in my ten year old's eyes. The thought of giving up one of our pets was unthinkable to her, but after we were finished with our visit, I reiterated what the tour guide had said and reminded her that we got Chaos from another family who loved her as much as we do, but gave her to us because we could give her the attention and love she needed. We had another discussion about pet ownership and the responsibilities you take on when you bring a pet into your family as well as the economy right now.

On the drive home, I couldn't help but think about the old, little dog from the vet yesterday. She'd spent 17 years with a loving family. The woman behind the counter at the vet's was right. The dog had had a good life! I only hope the animals we saw at the clinic can be so lucky.

On a much lighter note, this really put a smile on my face. Make sure your sound is on. I love looking at kitty pictures, but this one is all about the little girl's commentary:

Crossfit Challenge Day 19

Today do:

19 sit ups, 19 push ups (or sub exercise) and 19 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

I was sick yesterday. I managed 12 pushups before giving up so I'll finish up yesterday's eighteen this morning and the nineteen later today.

Halp!

more animals

I feel just like the fishy. Someone please come help me! My son is good as new, but my youngest woke up at 12:30 am on Monday night/Tuesday morning covered in vomit. It made for a very long night and day. Hubby came home on Tuesday evening looking really bad. He just said he had it and went upstairs. Me? I slept on the couch even though I've slept with both kids when they were sick. Hubby's not the best patient so it's best if I stay away when he's like this. And, I have to be honest, I'm running on fumes here and need some sleep. Right now, I'm praying our oldest doesn't get it or me!

Sorry I haven't been blog hopping, but between laundry and caring for sickies and trying to grab a few minutes of sleep here and there, there hasn't been time to be on-line a lot. I'm hoping this is all over with very soon!

Take care!

Crossfit Challenge Day 18

Today do:

18 sit ups, 18 push ups (or sub exercise) and 18 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Retainer woes

more animals

This was hubby and I last night. We were trying to get our oldest's brand new retainer out of her mouth. She got it and neck gear yesterday. For some reason one side was stuck. All three of us tried to get it out. No problem with the right side, but the left side wouldn't budge. We ended up having to call the orthodontist at home. He offered to meet us at the office, but we gave it another try first. Finally it came off. How many engineering degrees does it take to remove a retainer? Needless to say, it won't be going back in until after we have it checked out. She can still wear her head gear so at least that's something.

If you've been reading the JaNoWriMo blog, you've already heard that our continuity idea got approved. The four authors, in order of appearance, are Myrna Mackenzie, Shirley Jump, Jackie Braun and me! Three of us did the Wedding Planners together and Jackie used to write Silhouette Romances before moving to Harlequin Romance a few years before the two lines merged. We're very excited about the continuity and it's a lot different than the Wedding Planners. I'm writing my synopsis for book 4 right now!

What have you been doing?

Crossfit Challenge Day 17

Today do:

17 sit ups, 17 push ups (or sub exercise) and 17 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Finally a contest winner...

Sorry for the delay. My 8 yo son was still feeling poorly yesterday so I didn't have time to do the contest. I only had time for the exercises after he went to bed. He and I were up most of Saturday night so it felt good to finally get a chunk of sleep in a row last night! Fingers crossed no one else gets sick.

Now on to the book giveaway. Here are your random numbers:

53
Timestamp: 2009-02-17 04:53:49 UTC

This week's free book winner is Rottie_mom. She won with a comment on the post A Couple Things. Rottie_mom, please choose one book from the list here. Email me your choice along with your snail address. You can use the contact form on my website.

Last week's winner Brandy chose an anthology with Gena Showalter, Carly Phillips, Christina Skye, Susan Mallery, Brenda Joyce and Susan Andersen. I hope you like the book!

I hope to have all the books from the contest mailed out in the next week as long as the other kidlets remain healthy. As I posted last week, this is the last book contest for a while. As soon as I can start the contest again, I will but for now it's on hiatus indefinitely. Thanks for understanding!

Crossfit Challenge Day 16

Today do:

16 sit ups, 16 push ups (or sub exercise) and 16 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Crossfit Challenge Day 15

Today do:

15 sit ups, 15 push ups (or sub exercise) and 15 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Seattle in a Day

The alarm went off at 3:30 am. We were on the road by 4 and pulled into the parking lot at the Seattle Center a quarter before 7. The dancing started at 8 am and we got out of there at 4 pm. We stopped on the drive home so Chaos could take a walk and we could eat dinner. We arrived home around 7:30. Needless to say, I'm tried. We all went to bed early than I realized I hadn't done my challenge so got up to get my 14 of each in. I'll post the challenge for day 15 in the morning. I'm going back to bed.

Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's day!

Crossfit Challenge Day 14

more animals

Today do:

14 sit ups, 14 push ups (or sub exercise) and 14 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Happy Valentine's Day. I'll post when I get back from Irish dance! Have a heart-filled, wonderful day!

Crossfit Challenge Day 13

Today do:

13 sit ups, 13 push ups (or sub exercise) and 13 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! And just think, you won't feel so guilty eating chocolate tomorrow ;)

A couple things

more animals

I really should email this LOLcat to my hubby!!!! Not that it matters. We're only exchanging cards. Nothing else. I'll spend my Valentine's day watching Irish dance. Not exactly romantic since I'll have the three kidlets with me. Maybe next year hubby and I be able to sneak a little romance in there! Fingers crossed!

I wanted to let you know that Sunday will be the last free book giveaway. Some things have come up, and I can't keep the contest going right now. When I can bring it back, I will. I still have lots of books to giveaway! Make sure you posts comments before Sunday to get entries!

Crossfit Challenge Day 12

Today do:

12 sit ups, 12 push ups (or sub exercise) and 12 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Crossfit Challenge Day 11

Oops! I'm guest blogging at Wedding Planners today and forgot to write this post when I wrote my pre-Valentine's day post last night. Sorry!

Today do:

11 sit ups, 11 pushups (or sub exercise) and 11 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

More snow!

more animals

It's snowing again! I know some of you on the East coast get a lot of snow, but for us out here in the PNW this isn't the norm. I doubt it will stick around long, but it sure is pretty! And a good excuse to cuddle up with a cup of hot tea and a good book.

What are you doing today?

Crossfit Challenge Day 10

We're hitting the double digits. Remember you can break exercises up. No need to do them all at once.

Today do:

10 sit ups, 10 pushups (or sub exercise) and 10 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Hope you've got a smile on your face!

This week's winner

Finally had a minute to sit down and do this. Thanks for all your comments today. We're feeling fine so that's a really good thing! Now onto the contest...

Here are your random numbers:

47
Timestamp: 2009-02-10 03:10:45 UTC

This week's free book winner is Brandy. She won with a comment on the post Time. Brandy, please choose one book from the list here. Email me your choice along with your snail address. You can use the contact form on my website.

Last week's winner Jane chose Pursuit by Elizabeth Jennings. Enjoy it!

If you're new here all you have to do to enter the contest is make a comment here on the blog. Every comment you make gives you one entry into the weekly free book contest, so comment often!

Crossfit Challenge Day 9

Today do:

9 sit ups, 9 pushups (or sub exercise) and 9 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

Have a great day!

One of those days...

more animals

I was driving my two girls and two other girls to an Irish dance workshop this afternoon. We got rear-ended while stopped at a red light. I don't know what the driver was thinking since we'd been stopped awhile. Everyone was fine, and my minivan didn't have a scratch. Thank goodness! Our guardian angels must have been paying close attention to us all!

I spent two hours at Irish dance after that. One of my friends, another dancer's mom, helped me cut crafts for a Valentine's party I'll co-chairing on Friday for a group of kids at a church. She was so sweet to offer and really helped me out. I've traced and cut enough hearts this weekend to last me the rest of my life!

But my whole evening has been thrown off a bit so I'm going to call it an early night and will post the contest winner on Monday. That's been the norm lately anyway!

Nighty-night!

Crossfit Challenge Day 8

Today do:

8 sit ups, 8 pushups (or sub exercise) and 8 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it!

I'll post the contest winner later!

Smellz

more animals

My darling hubby decided to surprise me by "freshening" up the house with carpet freshener. One problem...I'm allergic to most fragrances. I don't wear perfume. I can't be around people who wear perfume. It makes me sick.

I walked into the house, smelled this flowery scent and immediately felt my throat constrict. My eyes started watering and my nose running. Sneezing, coughing, head pounding, not fun.

Luckily I was out most of last night. When I came home the symptoms started right up again. I had to sleep on the couch (carpet is upstairs) and even then it would sometimes hit me. I would have to go outside. Again, not fun when it's literally freezing temperatures.

This morning I sent hubby to rent a carpet cleaner. I should have told him to pick up Benedryl. I cannot wait for the smell to go away.

Hope things are good with you!

Crossfit Challenge Day 7

Today do:

7 sit ups, 7 pushups (or sub exercise) and 7 air squats.

Post to comments when you've done it!

I emailed the Climbing Cutie. He said an alternate to the air squats are step ups (stairs.) I've done step ups using a wooden box and even an aerobics step, but I've also used the staircase when I had nothing else. Check that Crossfit link from last week to watch a video if you aren't sure what I'm talking about.

Have a happy Saturday!

Spirit

This is Spirit. Hubby took the picture with his Blackberry tonight and emailed it for me. She stands up here and meows when she wants something. If no one comes right away she makes her way down the stairs. The farther she descends, the louder she gets.

She is the queen of the household. The other two allow her to eat first and choose her sleeping position first. It's amazing how that pecking order works and Chaos has bought right into it. He is scared to death of Spirit and continues to give her a wide berth! It just cracks me up how she will go to extraordinary lengths to avoid that cat!

I managed to get all the Valentine's done last night. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to do the craft prototypes so I need to do those today. But the reason I ran out of time is a good one! I finally know what my other Harlequin Romance will be. Okay, I still need editorial approval and won't write the book until summer or fall, but I've been toying with an idea for a month now. Things finally fell into place during my morning shower. I couldn't wait to write it all down and talk to my critique partner, Virginia Kantra about it.

I'm so happy I didn't send my editor my first idea for this book. I think this is so much stronger! And it features a hero who appeared in Rescued by the Magic of Christmas. Fingers crossed my editor likes the idea because I love it! I want to start the book right now I love it so much! But I don't want to jinx it so I'll work on my idea pitch instead and wait to see what my editor says first.

I'm off to Portland this morning, but will be able to stick around home in the early afternoon and do a little crafting! I also finished all my RITA books so can finally input all the scores. That will be a huge check on my To Do list.

Hope you have a great Friday and managed to do all you had planned for Thursday.

Crossfit Challenge Day 6

Today do:

6 sit ups, 6 pushups (or sub exercise) and6 air squats.

Post to comments when you've done it!

Can I just say you all are so wonderful joining me in this challenge! I might actually make it to the end of this one. My hands forced me out of the 100 day Burpee Challenge. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. And my bottom, abs and arms also thank you!

Time

more animals

I saw this LOLcat and immediately thought of my three furbabies. Ever had a case of missing time? When you were sure you had time only to realize you were late for something?

I have. It's very disconcerting. Where did the time go? I have an overactive imagination so images of missing time, alien abductions or something you would see on X-Files tend to spring to mind. But now I think I'll just blame the cats the next time this happens. One of my cats stepping on my digital clock seems a more plausible reason, don't you think?

At least I won't have to worry about my cats playing with my clock and making me late today. I get to stay home all day! I've had two days of running around so am so happy about that. What's on my agenda? I have to write a dear reader letter for my September release, make 25 Valentine's for the girls' group I help lead once a month and make samples of Valentine's crafts we'll be doing next Friday at a Valentine's party. Since I like being crafty, it should be a fun day.

What are you up to?

Crossfit Challenge Day 5

Today do:

5 sit ups, 5 pushups (or sub exercise) and 5 air squats.

Post to comments when you've done it!

Hugs to catslady on her toe, but kudos for going after it! Welcome to housemouse88!

Keep it up everyone! We're doing great!


more animals

Crossfit Challenge Day 4

Today do:

4 sit ups, 4 pushups (or sub exercise) and 4 air squats.

Post to comments when you've done it!

Marianne has joined us in the challenge. If you're still thinking about doing it, it's not too late! You'd just need to do today's 4 and 6 more of each exercise to catch up. Come on, what do you say?

Flowers and romance

more animals

It's all over the blogosphere, but I was taken aback (that's putting it nicely) by the Teleflora commercial that not only disses romance readers, but owners of fat cats. Considering I not only read but write romance novels, and my beloved Rocket would more than qualify as a "fat cat," I can tell you I won't ever be buying flowers from Teleflora again. I told hubby not to, either. And I'll ask you to please consider buying your flowers elsewhere, too.

Sarah at SB blogged about this and included a video of the commercial. Click here, if you missed it.

Hubby asked me if I was overreacting. Um, no. I don't think I am. What do you think?

Crossfit Challenge Day 3

Today do:

3 sit ups, 3 pushups (or sub exercise) and 3 air squats.

Post to comments when you've done it!

Crossfit Challenge Day 2

Today do:

2 situps, 2 pushups (or other exercise) and 2 air squats.

A few more have joined: Dru is in and Virginia may give some of it a try! Yay!

I will make sure to set a post to publish at midnight so people know what to do. This first month is easy. Just do the number of the date each day. Today's the 2nd of February so just do two of each!

Contest Winner!

Sorry for the late post. I have been so busy I don't have a lot of time to be on-line right now. Here are your random numbers:

106
Timestamp: 2009-02-03 06:07:30 UTC

This week's free book winner is Jane. She won with a comment on the post Crossfit Challenge Day 1. Jane, please choose one book from the list here. Email me your choice along with your snail address. You can use the contact form on my website.

Last week's winner Virginia chose Sophie Nash's A Dangerous Beauty. Amy, the winner from a couple of weeks ago, chose Heather Webber's Digging up emailed me her choice, but I can't find it so please check your inbox Amy and resend me your choice.

If you're new here all you have to do to enter the contest is make a comment here on the blog. Every comment you make gives you one entry into the weekly free book contest, so comment often!

Crossfit Challenge Day 1

Long day. I just got home from my parents. My entire family showed up to watch the Super Bowl game. I'm bummed the Cardinals lost. I used to live in Arizona so was rooting them on. I had to run my oldest to 7:30 pm Mass just as the game was ending, and by the time we got back to my parents' house everyone was gone except my family. We said our goodbyes and made the drive home. Chaos slept on my lap the entire way!

I'll post the contest winner tomorrow. I still have something to get ready to email tonight to Harlequin, and it can't wait!

Okay, the Crossfit Challenge. So far I have the following participating: Sarita, catslady, Brandy, Jane, limecello, Cheri and me. If I missed you, just speak up. I'm very tired right now. And if anyone wants to join us, just let me know. All you have to do is catch up. (See below how to do that.)

Today (Sunday) you need to do: 1 sit up, 1 push up (any kind wall, bench, knee, or substitute lunge or other exercise of your choice) and 1 air squat. If you don't know the proper form for an exercise, you can go here to see how to do them.

If you miss a day, you must do that days exercises plus the current days so if you missed today, tomorrow you would do 3 of each. Does that make sense? Right now it's not a big deal if you miss a day, but when you're at 50 or 60, it's brutal. But you can break up the exercises through the day so you don't have to do all at once.

I'll keep the Crossfit Challege posts separate for the normal blog posts. Post what you did in the comment section so we can cheer each other on. And if you're not competing feel free to comment and give us moral support. As the days go on, we'll need all the cheerleading we can get!