I'm on MySpace!

Yes, that's right. I have joined MySpace. I did it to subscribe to Diablo Cody's blog, but then after I joined, I found a lot of my friends are already on there. Cool beans!

Still cold here. I was up until about 4 am. this morning writing, writing, writing. I have my sales letter done, two articles for the Copywriter Mastermind Group project done and sent to Beth for review. I have been posting all over the place. I also got my floors swept and mopped. Supper is going to be pork chops, baked in the oven. Too cold to grill outside and keep opening and closing the door.

So, it's back to work for me. QH needs a Harley!

Bitter Cold, a Missed Meeting, Diablo Cody, and the King

Brrr! Baby, it's cold outside! Yes, that is the understatement of the Universe right at the moment, but hey, I'm amped up with too much coffee, a great book idea, and wisdom on writing from the King himself, Stephen King.

Today was the day I was supposed to meet Beth Ann Erickson, my mentor, my Obi Wan, but it was much too cold, and I am a big chicken when it comes to bitter cold temperatures. I was also not very awake when she called, even though it was after 1:00 pm. I had just gotten up at 11:30 am., and I was still kind of groggy. I was up late the night before working on a book idea, a seed planted by Beth during our phone conversation on Wednesday, which got my little wheels a turning. Write, write, write, as fast as you can! So, I did. We'll see where it ends up.

I've been especially inspired by re-reading "On Writing" by Stephen King. It's amazing how much I missed the first time I read it, or rather, how much rings true to me now that didn't before. If anyone reading my little blog has any aspirations to become a writer, this book MUST be in your personal library. It has spurred me on to continue striving for my dream of being a published, successful writer. Successful being not in just making money, or becoming famous, but being able to write for a living and change the lives of my readers, even if there is only one.

I have also been inspired by a local girl, Diablo Cody, who is all the buzz right now for a little film called "Juno". She is originally from Illinois, but has also resided in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a published author as well, for a book she wrote called "Candy Girl" that documents her life as an exotic dancer here in the Twin Cities. She also blogged for City Pages.

She's wry, sassy, funny, and most importantly, honest, to the point of being brutal. But she also shows a side that is beautiful, innocent and delicate at the same time. For all of her brashness, she has a good heart and a good soul, and you just need to look into her eyes to see it. Plus, she got her name from a song on the Arcadia album, called "El Diablo", and Cody is from Cody, Wyoming, which is super cool, and she's also a Gemini. She also has a "keen fashion sense", to quote Buffy from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," a film that still cracks me up.

I've been following her road to Hollyweird for the last few months, mostly out of curiosity to see what "it" is about her that is so fascinating. For those of you who are curious, check out her blog on MySpace.com, but be warned, she doesn't hold ANYTHING back!

This Wednesday, she appeared on Oprah, with Jennifer Garner and Ellen Page who both star in the film, and Oprah said she was "Fresh! Just so...Fresh!" and she also predicted that there was an Oscar in her future with this little film making the big buzz. Does anyone remember when she predicted the same for Jennifer Hudson of "Dream Girls?" Poor Diablo looked lost for words!

I haven't seen the film yet, but I want to as soon as I can (when the weather goes above zero!) When that happens, I will give you all a full review, ok?

In the meantime, I need to get back to work. Stay warm!

Wow, does that hurt!

I arrived at 6:00 am, and the water was wonderful. I made some new friends, and the class was small. Four ladies, including me, and the instructor. That hour class went by so fast! It didn't seem like I did much of anything. Splash, splash, splash, some work with the "noodles" (those long floating things the kids play with in the water), some underwater jumping jacks, some underwater sit-ups, some back and forth from the shallow end to the deep end, then back to the middle and a final stretch. Over and done, and then out of the water. Yeah, out of the water. That's when you feel it.
The best way to describe the feeling is you have been carrying around a heavy jacket filled with rocks, and you let the jacket slip off your shoulders, down your back and legs onto the floor. Whoa.
It's been since Tuesday and I my muscles have been notifying me that they have been neglected far too long. Muscles I didn't even know I had! I have also been working at the factory which entails lifting and moving and while that doesn't affect me so much, the Aqua Fit effect is.
So, does this mean, that's it? I'm done? Nope. It just means that I'm more determined than ever to get this heavy jacket filled with rocks off my body. I went grocery shopping this week, and the diet has changed, people. Fruit, vegetables, lean meats, fish, turkey, yogurt, 100 calorie snacks. I'm writing everything I eat down and the calories, according to serving size and package, are going down with it. I want to see how much I'm eating and I'm keeping track of my exercise too.
My next step is "Inspiration Pants", a pair of pants in the size I want to be in, size 16. I haven't been in that size since I was a junior in high school. When I feel like giving up, or that I've lost some weight and feel better, that I can slack off a little bit, those pants will come out.
See you in the water, kids!

Happy New Year, and I actually did it!

I know you are confused by the title of my post. Yes, I am well aware that January is now half over, so sue me, but I couldn't post for the first time in 2008 without acknowledging the fact we are in a New Year, now can I?? That would just be irresponsible and rude. So,...Happy New Year, I hope that 2008 brings all the magic and fun you didn't get in 2007. There. I feel much better now.

As for the "I actually did it" part, it refers to me joining Gold's Gym. Tomorrow morning (or rather in just a few short hours) I will be going to my first Aqua Fit class (water aerobics), at the lovely hour of 6:00 am. Yes, kids, I have signed my life away for $20 per month (they were running a special, of course), and have decided that the snoring, the headaches, the back pain, the joint pain, the pain in my ass, all of just has to stop. I have surrendered to the fact that I've let myself go to near "Moo-Moo" size (the cow sound and the dress size), and enough is freaking enough. My motivation is simply this, and it has become my mantra: "I'm not going to go on Oprah looking like this!" Good enough?

I've already gone the list of other "motivations" and failed miserably:

1. To lose weight so my family and friends won't be ashamed to be seen with me in public. (I took a peek at the pictures of myself at Christmas. Whoa! Talk about your eye opener.)

2. To lose weight so I can fit into better looking clothes, (I'm already a size 24, and I'm not going to the size 26. No freaking way!).

3. Lose weight so I can look good for a wedding, a job interview, a date, my second date, a family reunion, or insert any big occasion here.

4. Shame, shame, shame. Didn't work, it just helped me be more depressed which made me want to eat more, which made me gain weight, etc, etc. etc. Catholic guilt can only go so far.

In the end, the health factor has been it. I don't like how I look, for sure, but it's how I feel, that's the kicker. And I'm tired all the time. I don't sleep well, if at all, and according to QH and Al, I snore like my Mom and the drapes are dust free every morning. Big red flag. Can you say, "Sleep apnea" boys and girls?

Went that route a few years ago with QH and almost lost him to the edema, the high BP, the Diabetes (type 2), and all the other stuff that was killing him at the time. I have no interest in suicide, my friends. This girl wants to live to be an ornory old hag, stubborn as a mule and smart as whip. Let my body go to hell, just let me keep my mind. Oh, wait...I lost that a long time ago! LOL!

Seriously. I know that the whole menopause thing is going on, and I'm not looking to end up like Kate Moss or Calista Flockhart. I would settle for a size 16 when all was said and done. Anything lower, I can live with that too. Just as long as I can still have boobs. QH would miss them so, and after all of these years, I would have a hard time walking upright. That center of gravity thing, you know. But then, there is always surgery if things go awry...Hmmmm.

So, wish me luck or place your bets, whatever you all want to do. Just peek at the picture posted above, because this time next year, there will be less of me to see, but the heart will still be there to love.