Making It Easy on Myself

Hi everyone.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Due to travel and scheduling issues, we won't be opening gifts and having family time until tonight, but better late than never, right?

And now we are approaching another new year. Wow, 2019. Seems like the time is flying by so fast everything is a blur. Whatever happened to 2018? I'm not sure where it went. All I know is that it could have been more productive for me.

Which leads me to the age-old topic of resolutions. You know, those promises we make to ourselves on January 1st to lose weight, be kinder, get more done, meditate, and anything else to keep us happy. All those promises are great and should have meaning for us. The only problem is we rarely fulfill them. I always say I'm going to lose weight. Never happens. I say I'm going to be kinder and nicer to people until my patience runs thin with silliness. Oops, not so nice. I also make a pact with myself to write more and fritter away my time less. That one seems to sneak out the door real fast. I am determined to go to the gym and get in better shape, yet will look for any excuse not to do so.

And then there's social media. Now this is a real time suck. Last year I kind of promised to spend less time on Facebook, Twitter, and Gab. Up until a few weeks ago, this resolution had tanked, too. Since learning of the shenanigans going on with Facebook and Twitter, I've cut back my participation a lot. But that's another blog for another time. Maybe next month. At any rate, these arbitrary promises are generally doomed from the start. Do we really need to promise ourselves to nice? Or productive? Or healthy? I mean, nobody wants to be nasty, lazy, or sick, do we? Unfortunately, I feel guilty by not making them.

I may have written on this subject before, but this time I've come up with some resolutions I think I can keep. I'll be honest. I found them as a posting on Facebook. I laughed until I realized, there was a grain of truth in them. They certainly are realistic. And I love making things easy for myself.

So here goes:

1. EAT TOO MUCH. This one is a cincherino! I can do this every day of the week with no regrets until I go to the doctor and he gives me "the look."

2. DRINK TOO MUCH. My comment on this is how much is too much? Kind of a shady, gray area, so keeping it won't be a hardship.

3. DON'T GO TO THE GYM. I'd love to keep this one, but know even the twice-a-week workout is good for me so I force myself into becoming an aficionado of torture. That thigh machine is a killer.

4. BUY MORE SHOES. No problemo. Just steer me toward the nearest DSW and I'm good.

5. DON'T TRY TO SLEEP ALL NIGHT. I've been doing this for years, so I might as well continue.

6. MISPLACE THINGS. Now, where the hell did I put that grocery list? Moving on...

7. WEAR PJs OFTEN. Do beach cover-ups come under this category? If so, I'm golden in the summer.

8. DON'T LOSE WEIGHT. This is in direct correlation to #1. So, if I follow the first rule, I'll be in good shape--or bad shape depending on how I look at it.

That's it. Resolutions I can live with and actually enjoy.

Whether 2018 was terrific or horrendous, I hope this has made you smile. Here's wishing you all a wonderful new year. See you next month.

Suzanne

Grunts and Groans by Suzanne Rossi

Hi everyone.

Hope 2018 has been kind to you so far. The crud I had in November came back right after New Year's, but I consider myself lucky that it wasn't the flu. (Knock wood. February is labeled as the peak month for that particular ailment.) A lot of people have posted on social media about their health and the horrible weather. I've come to the conclusion everyone is cold and sick.

I think I mentioned once that when we moved to Germantown, Tennessee, we decided to get in shape--or at least in better shape than we were. So we joined a local health club. Up until Thanksgiving we worked out regularly three times a week. It didn't take long, got us out of the house, and because the kitchen was undergoing renovations for most of the summer, we indulged in lunch at some of our favorite restaurants. (Yeah, I know, Mexican food and Margaritas kind of undo all that exercise, but hey, you only live once, right?) After the holiday, illness and the cold kept us home for a few weeks, but now we are back on schedule.

For those of you who work out or want to work out, I decided to give you a rundown of a day at the gym.

I used to spend the first ten minutes on the cardio-bike, but abandoned it a few months ago. I hated pedaling to nowhere. And treadmills scare me. I visualize tripping over my own two feet and flying out into the walkway thereby humiliating myself. The stair machine was not on the agenda from day one. So, while hubby does the bike, I head immediately for the weight room.

Being an aficionado of torture, I start with the standing pull down ab machine. I put on forty-five pounds of weights, grab the over-the-shoulder straps, and bend at the waist. My lower abdomen tightens. I do twenty reps twice before moving on the the next device. By the way, my reps are usually between twelve to fifteen and I try to do three sets.

Now it's time for the biceps curl. Twenty-five pounds for twelve reps three times. Not too bad. The next machine works the triceps. I do thirty-five pounds for this one since I find it easier to push down, than pull up a la the biceps contraption. A year ago my arms were pathetic strands of spaghetti. Now, I can actually feel my triceps and when I flex my biceps can see muscles. Well, I'm impressed at any rate.

When done with that, I slowly walk down the aisle to the most hated machine in the gym--the thigh killer. And I do mean killer. I adjust for fifty pounds of weight, grasp the handles, move the knee pads to the correct position and push my legs apart. I'm grunting and groaning by seven reps before finally giving up at twelve. By the end of two sets, I want to cry. Panting, I change the knee pads to squeeze and push my legs together. This position is no more comfortable than the previous one. Honestly, by now I should be able to crush bowling balls between my thighs.

Once I'm done with this machine, the rest are a piece of cake. Some kind of rotary twist machine that is supposed to work the obliques--whatever they are--followed by devices for a back leg curl, (works the back leg muscles), a leg extension, (does the front of the thighs), and a leg press, which works both. My knees aren't in the best of shape, but I have noticed going up and down the stairs at home is easier than when we first moved in. I now stagger over to whatever machine my husband is on where we discuss lunch options--usually involving wine. I have priorities. I view it as a reward for a job well done.

My last apparatus is the sit down ab machine. Sixty pounds of weight with all the grunts and groans I can emit for twenty reps three times. At least I'm sitting down and I can feel the crunches tightening my upper abdomen.

I'm done! A quick freshening up and I'm ready to eat and imbibe. The whole process took less than an hour, but the important part is I feel better both mentally and physically. I've lost weight--not as much as I would like, however, those lunches are also important to good mental health. Or so I keep telling myself.

Back at home, I try to get in some writing in the afternoon. If not, then I dedicate the off days to writing. I find I'm spending more down time with family and that my writing doesn't seem as forced as it was three or four years ago. I'm more laid back and relaxed. I no longer chastise myself if I don't write two thousand words a day.

I hope you all have vicariously exercised by reading this. Thinking along the same lines? Check out a few gyms near you. Take out a trial membership if possible and see if you like it. My guess is you will. And sometimes as I grunt, groan, and mentally curse, I think up plot twists, dialogue, and characters. How about that? I write as I work out. LOL

Have a great day and I'll be back in March.

Suzanne Rossi

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

Have you ever encountered someone who never seems happy? Of course, it's hard to know what life has thrown at a person. Happiness is different for everyone. Sometimes, it takes very little to bring a smile to your face. Your expression is the first thing a stranger notices about you.   

What has this got to do with writing? Have you ever walked by an author's table at a signing party and they looked like every second there is pure misery? Yes, it is tiring and a lot of work. If no one is walking up to you, this is the perfect time to ask your friends for help and suggestions. Even though your expression is simple exhaustion, it may come across as irritation. A smile, works wonders.

When you get to a point where you are struggling in your writing and want to throw the whole thing out a window and take up bungee jumping, it's time to call your friends and break out the wine, chocolate and pep talks.

I may whine or complain that writing is hard. Duh! But it is something that makes me happy. Most of the time. Hopefully, I can support my fellow writers and best buds when their characters refuse to obey or the plot is going nowhere.

My friends always bring me joy. They also have no trouble telling me when to shape up, get busy and stop goofing off.

What I Learned at a Book Signing

Hi All,

How many of your have gone to a book signing to meet their favorite author? My hand is raised. I love meeting new authors and learning about their next project. When I was recently at a signing a fan came up to me and said she'd been looking all over for me. She wanted to not only buy my book, but learn more about me as a person and a writer.

Need I say I was delighted!

Fans are wonderful for a writer's ego, but they're also great inspiration. Their loyalty keeps us at the computer long into the night. They make us want to write better stories and deeper plots. That's why I'm a fan girl. I'm still in awe of my favorite authors and I know many of them personally. They're my friends and critique partners.

I'm always in awe of how they come up with different plots, characters I know intimately and words that invoke emotions. I am a writer, but first I am a reader. I love having a book, or kindle in my hands. It's like your favorite teddy bear when you were young. I take comfort in knowing the minute I turn that page, a whole new world opens for me.

I hope you all continue to read your whole life. And I hope, when you have the opportunity, you will go to a book signing to meet your favorite author.

She'll appreciate it very much.

Happy Endings,
Geri Foster

What Is Your Reading or Writing Weather?

The weatherman forecasted ice and lots of it for days ahead of the ice storm here in Dallas.

My first thoughts: No problem, I have a computer and I'll spend the weekend inside starting my next WIP. Right?

Wrong!

After spending several days inside hibernating with the family during our ice storm this weekend in Dallas, I have exactly one paragraph written.
I can't focus on anything but what's in the kitchen! I've raided the fridge and everything else in sight.
Grateful that we managed to keep electricity, I surfed the web, played on Facebook and even wore out the Lifetime channel, but nothing provided inspiration.

So, I picked up my iPad and finished Fling, an anthology that I'd started earlier in the week. It's a great read and I highly recommend it. I found it inspiring for my current WIP.

Disappointed that I had valuable time to write and couldn't make good on my commitment, the question arises as to what exactly is your Reading or Writing weather.

Is it snowed in like we are right now? Trapped, with the knowledge that life outside has come to almost a complete pause?

Or, are you the kind like me apparently, that needs movement to energize your brain?

I suddenly realized that my brain shut down with the rest of the world. Lacked inspiration! Lacked mobility.

When I retreat to my writing cave, the window by my desk still satisfies my need to see movement with the neighbors coming and going or the school children passing by. That's subconscious movement.

When I write outdoors on the patio, the waterfall is so soothing, but 23 degrees is too cold to sit outside, even with a fire in the chiminea. I tried, but I couldn't hang!

Where do you enjoy reading and writing? Does the change in weather bring you inspiration or bog you down like me?

I'm grateful for the time with the family and even had a good time laughing at them with their attempt at TUBBING.
Nope, that is not a typo. Our kids were actually using a storage tub to ride behind the truck. I clearly have to say, DON'T try this at home.

Here's the video of them acting like idiots. Seems that I'm not the only one that is house crazy. No, I didn't try it.

 

 

I hope that you and your family are warm and dry during this winter blast and that the time indoors has been good for you, whether that be spending precious time with family, reading, writing, knitting or catching up on your long winter's nap!

 

Thank you for stopping by and reading my ramblings!

 

Until next time, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

 

Hugs,

 

DeLaine

 



 

DeLaine Roberts

Find me at:

www.facebook.com/delaine.robertsauthor

Twitter: @delaineroberts