Robin Lee Hatcher's Write Thinking

for ladies only

With apologies to my male readers, I'm going to share some favorite cosmetics items with my readers of the fair sex. I'm a low maintenance kind of gal. I don't like to spend too much time fussing, and after I have done some fussing, I don't want to do a bunch of retouches through the day. I also don't want to spend a small fortune to look good.

Anyway, I'm using a few things that are so good, I want to share them with others.

First up, Cover Girl's Outlast All Day Lipcolor. Because I don't think about touch ups, lipstick that lasts is really important, especially when I'm at a conference. I've tried the long lasting lipsticks in the past and hated them. They made my lips feel so dry. Then two or three years ago, some writer girlfriends did a shout out for Cover Girl's Outlast. I gave it a try. Love it. Love it. Love it. This stuff works, and it doesn't dry out my lips. My favorite colors are #553 and #558.

Next up, Loreal's Bare Naturale's mineral foundation. The minerals are good for your skin. It is easy to apply, and it looks good all day. I've also used Maybelline's Mineral Power foundation. I like it too, but it isn't quite as convenient as the Loreal brand which has the brush "built in" to the container (easier to travel with). Both companies have mineral blushes as well. I use Maybelline's Mineral Power blush in soft mauve. It's perfect for my skin tone.

Last but not least, help for the eyebrows. For many women of a certain age, the eyebrows begin to thin out. That's happened to me. I've never cared much for drawing new brows with the old eye pencils. Enter The Body Shop's Brow and Liner Kit. The powder is brushed onto the brows with a stiff brush and it looks very natural. It helps my eyes stand out, and for me, it is all about the eyes.

So there you go. My recommendations for the beauty regime.

How about you? Any recommendations for your girlfriends?

-rlh-

Which reindeer are you?

I'm Dancer. How about you?

You Are Dancer

Carefree and fun, you always find reasons to do a happy dance. Why You're Naughty: That dark stint you had as Santa's private dancer. Why You're Nice: You're friendly. Very friendly.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

another this, that, & the other

Since my last entry to my blog, I traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan to meet with my Zondervan editor and the folks in marketing and publicity. My agent was there, too, and we had one full and very productive day. I returned to Boise feeling energized and mulling over ideas for future books. Of course, I've got to finish revisions on Wagered Heart (my July 2008 release from Zondervan) first. Speaking of which, have I shared the cover here? I don't think so. That's it on the left. Isn't it beautiful?

My March 2008 Women of Faith release, The Perfect Life, has gone through another round of cover design (the one showing on Amazon.com isn't even close to what it will be). I'm very excited about the new concept, and I hope I'll be able to share the final cover with you soon.

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I mentioned that I planned to put my iPhone envy to rest by upgrading to a Verizon Blackberry 8830 at the end of the month. Well, I was able to do so earlier than I thought, and I was grateful for that. I got the phone on the Friday before my trip. What a lifesaver it turned out to be. The flights through Minneapolis were a mess on Monday. I ended up being delayed into Grand Rapids by three hours. I was able to send emails right from my phone, advising of my flight status. I tried out the Treo 700p awhile back and it ran so hot that it felt as if it burned my inner ear. It was also thicker and heavier by 2 oz (a lot when holding to your ear for any length of time) than the Blackberry.

I don't know that the iPhone envy will go away completely. It is seriously such a cool device. And the screen is easier to see if I don't have my reading glasses on. For the BB, that's not an option. Glasses required.

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On the flight from Boise to Minneapolis, I watched another movie about Rwanda, Beyond the Gates. Oh my. The power of this film. I found the story and the characters more moving than Hotel Rwanda, but I don't think it ever got the press that the latter film got. This one stars John Hurt and Hugh Dancy. I watched a great deal of the movie with a hand over my mouth, trying to suppress moans at the horror of the 1994 genocide. John Hurt plays a Catholic priest and Hugh Dancy is an idealistic young teacher at the school run by the church. This is a powerful, powerful film, one that made me think about the hard choices people sometimes must make in this world. I highly recommend it.

-rlh-

evolution of dance

A friend sent me a link to this You Tube video on the evolution of dance. I haven't figured out how to share You Tube videos on my blog, so will have to suffice with the link. This is pretty funny. And the sad thing is, I could do quite a few of these myself. LOL!!

-rlh-

falling back

The end of daylight savings for another year. I've already changed the time on all the clocks in the house. Now I'm making my dog wait an extra hour to go out for her final "business" so that she won't be up and expecting out at her usual time in the morning. It's hard on both of us because I'd like to be in bed reading about now. I am not all that crazy about this time change business every spring and fall.

As long as I'm waiting, I might as well post a couple of photos of my "baby" (click on photos for larger view). Her name is Poppet and she is a Papillon. Eight pounds of pure energy.

saturday sundries

My Garden:

I do not have a green thumb by any stretch of the imagination. I do not enjoy digging in the dirt, planting, weeding, etc. That is not my gift. I fully appreciate the beauty of those who do garden. While the front of my house is landscaped, including purple wildflowers, roses, potentillas, shrubs (which are in the process of being trimmed as they are out of control), some sort of pretty ground cover, a mock orange, etc., my backyard is lawn, a curly willow tree, and a huge lilac bush. I did have some rose bushes, but they were in too much shade and never did well. I had them ripped up and sod laid. My dogs were also a detriment to the roses, especially Poppet who loves to run the length of the back fence where said rose bushes used to be.

I love my backyard (except for the size of it when it comes to mowing and weed whacking). The curly willow casts shade across it starting in mid-afternoon and lengthening as the day progresses. Mom and I enjoy sitting on the patio on the porch swing in the cooler parts of the day. But we have missed the color that flowers bring to a yard. So this week I bought a "portable garden" in an urn, and it's amazing how it brightens things up.

Straight Up:

I was fortunate enough to be asked to do an advance read of Lisa Samson's next book, Straight Up (September 2006). PW gave it a very lovely review, and I concur. Here is what I had to say:

What if we chose differently in life? Straight Up is pure Lisa Samson — original, raw, and laced with grace. As always, Lisa's characters came to life in my imagination, becoming my friends. This book made me cry and also allowed me hope. What a treasure.

Lisa Samson has an original voice, and she doesn't pretty up the realities of life for her fiction.

What Brings People to Write Thinking:

Every once in a while, I look to see what people search for on Google and other search engines that ends up causing them to follow a link to my blog. Sometimes they are just down right funny. Typepad only shows this information for 24 hours so these are just what I can find in that time frame as of about 6:45 a.m. MDT:

Golf AND blister AND right thumb
How to write ten pages per day
Robin Lee
Mining theme for Christian women's retreat
I have an ugly thumb on my left hand
"Philip Anschutz" trusted assistant
Write farewell note
Hand pain golf
Write cheerful farewell notes

It appears that the problem with that blister on my thumb from golfing has created quite the traffic. Not sure about those farewell notes. And who is Philip Anschutz? Hmm. I must have quoted him or something.

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Well, that's the end of my Saturday Sundries.

Until next time, may God keep you ...

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

this and that

I'm running behind on several fronts. Seems the hurrier I go the behinder I get.

I'm behind on my writing. After struggling with RTM for too long, I decided to switch gears rather than just keep spinning my wheels. (Is that a mixed metaphor?) Anyway, I did some brainstorming for TBOL which has a deadline coming up on the heels of RTM. Now I'm working on the opening chapters and putting my thoughts into a little more order in a pseudo-synopsis.

I'm behind on my 90 Day Bible challenge (those who kept the pace exactly finished/will finish today; I have two and a half days to go). At one time I was something like five days ahead, then I was right on schedule. Not sure how I let myself fall behind, but here I am. Still, I will finish before my pastor preaches his wrap up sermon this coming Sunday.

I'm definitely behind on my housekeeping after dog-sitting Daughter #1's two dogs (dachshund and a terrier mix breed) while she and her family are up skiing during spring break. They left Monday and get back tonight. I've had two rather sleepless nights because Shadow, the dachshund, is a bed hog, and Poppet (my Papillon) barks at the littlest noise the other two dogs make. Today it's raining, so when they come in from "doing their business," my kitchen floor gets all tracked up with wet/muddy. Sigh...

I've got a doctor appointment this afternoon. Just a follow up for Rx renewals, but still... Open wide and say "Ahhhh."

Have a great day.

-rlh-

what happened to customer service

I've had one of those mornings and am going to be forced to rant before I can knuckle down and go to work. You know those commercials about that guy speaking all of his codes and so forth into his cell phone as he attempts to reach customer service, then just as he gets a live person, the train he's on goes into a tunnel and the connection is lost? Yeah, I know how he feels.

I bought a new cell phone early this month at a kiosk in Circuit City. Actually, I exchanged a phone I didn't like that I'd bought about a week earlier. My credit card was credited back the full amount I was charged for the first phone, then the salesperson (very nice lady) rang up my new purchase and only afterward realized I was not given my New Every Two credit. She did something on the computer and said the $100 would show up on my next bill.

Got my bill last night. No credit.

So I call this morning. Ring. Ring. Computer tells me to enter my cell phone number followed by the pound key. I do. I get the main menu choices, punch in the number. Ring. Ring. "Please enter your ten digit phone number." Sigh. I enter it. Four more menu choices. I choose. Ring. Ring. A live person answers. "May I have your name and ten digit phone number please?" Give it. "Please repeat the number." I give it. Explain situation. He tells me that it is Financial who needs to take care of this and that he will forward me now. Ring. Ring. Computer tells me to enter my ten digit phone number. I do. Menu gives me some choices. I punch the number for Financial. Live person answers. "May I have your name and ten digit phone number." I give it. "Could you please repeat the number?" Sigh. I repeat it. Then I explain about the missing credit. "Oh, you need Customer Service." Hmm. It was the customer service number I took off of their web site and dialed in the first place. She forwards me. Ring. Ring. Guess what? A menu. I choose. Guess what? The computer tells me to enter my ten digit phone number. I do. Wait. Live person. "Could you please give me your name and number?" I give it ... a bit wearily. I explain my situation. Long story shortened a little bit: He cannot see how much I was charged for my phone at the kiosk, thus I must contact the kiosk and have them contact customer service in order for me to get my credit.

I confess. I was feeling testy now. Especially when he at first said that I would need to go into the kiosk, not just call them. Altogether I was on that call for 23 minutes. How many times did I enter or give my number? At least nine. Spoke to three people in three departments and no one can help me on a mistake they made. Grr.

I try always to remember that these people are just doing their jobs and that mistakes get made and that company policy sometimes makes them do these crazy things. But since they KNOW they owe me the new every two credit, why couldn't he just give it to me? I hate getting the runaround!

I think maybe I need to go write a fight scene in my w-i-p. Maybe I'll feel better when I'm done.

-rlh-

if this is wednesday . . .

I cannot believe how many days have slipped away while I messed with computer software and hardware. I apologize. Today I just plain melted down over the awful QuickBooks for Mac. I have been a QuickBooks user for more than a decade and love it. So I assumed the QuickBooks for Mac would be equally wonderful. NOT! In order to cut a paycheck, I would have to subscribe to an on-line service at the rate of $20 to $25 per month. To pay myself? I think not! So after an hour on the phone with three different techs, I boxed up the software and manual and prepared it to ship back to SC.

But other favorites have joined me on the Mac without a glitch. All in all, I'm very happy with my new system. When I dropped off the tax paperwork yesterday, I told my CPA I was changing to the Mac. She said that almost all of her clients who are artists use the Mac. It made me feel very creative.

Hmm, what else can I write about in this blog? I know: American Idol. I wish they'd given those twins the boot, but I just heard on TV that one of them is in trouble with the law and they won't be back. Simon said last night that he was tired of their "hissy fits." Oh, too true. Am not sorry to see them go. Idol starts here in about 4 minutes.

And how about the Oscars? They are coming up soon, and does anybody really care? Not me. I used to love watching the various award shows, but no more. Part of the reason this year is that they nominated movies that I couldn't care less about. The other reason is that these shows have become a place for entertainers to spout off in the most ridiculous ways about whatever their "platform" is. Usually it is political, but sometimes it's something else. Hey, you're an actor! Say thank you for your award, acknowledge your mom/dad/spouse/friends, and then get off the stage.

Well, American Idol has begun. Time to find out about the 24 who will go on. Later...

-rlh-

saturday sundries

Been a few days since I was here. I changed my high speed Internet provider, and that ate up a lot of time as I got everything working correctly. Catching up from being away also kept me in high gear. I am officially a week behind where I should be in my writing projects, and I'm not sure I'll get much work done on it today.

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90 DAY BIBLE UPDATE (or as I have seen it called in other blogs, the "Overachiever's Bible Reading Plan":

I am now on Day 40 and am in the Psalms. I am listening as well as reading, and I have been once again overwhelmed by the beauty of the words of praise and sometimes surprised by the gut-wrenching honesty of the psalmists. There is something about hearing them as well as reading that makes the Psalms all the more powerful. Psalm 19 really blessed me as I reread it this morning, particularly the following verses:

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don't let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
(Psalms 19:7-14, NLT)

HIS WORD IN MY HEART

On Wednesday, I attended the first of two classes on memorizing the Scriptures. Years ago, I used to quote the Bible without hesitation. I knew the words and the chapter and verses. Over the years, I seem to have lost that ability. Of course, I'm sure age has something to do with it, but I also think the practice of multi-tasking has had a huge affect. The brain doesn't stay focused in one area for long before it darts off, out of habit, to something else. I love technology, but I think it has contributed to the multi-tasking habit and is detrimental in many ways. Another thing that I believe has hurt me in the memorizing department is that I've been using multiple versions in my read-throughs of the Bible. Wonderful for reading and getting deeper meaning. Bad for memorizing because I'm not sure how verses go. The pastor teaching the class (who can recite many of the books of the Bible from memory) agreed, saying that we should decide on a version for memorization and stick with it while working on this discipline. For the class, we are memorizing Psalm 1 this week, but I plan to work on Psalm 19 (above) next.

If you're interested in working on your own memorization of Scripture, the book we were given in the class, His Word in My Heart by Janet Pope, is very helpful. There is also a web site for those who want to work on this discipline.

COOL GADGET!

I loaded my audio Bible (purchased through Audible.com) onto my iPod because burning the CDs would take forever. I have one of those hookups that turns the radio in my car into the speakers for my iPod, but I had troubles with it causing my iPod to jump forward to the next section (each section is about an hour long). I think it was the power surge when I started the car. For music it doesn't matter, but it does matter on any audio book. So I was listening in my car with one ear bud (since two is illegal!).

Last night I was in the Brookstone store at the mall, and I saw the "ishell," an MP3 sound case that is a mobile speaker for an MP3 player. It is so cool. I popped in a 9 volt battery, plugged it into my iPod, and I had instant sound while driving my car. Oh, and it is pretty too. I bought the bright blue but there is hot pink and fluorescent green and black and white.

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Well, it really is time I got to work. Happy Saturday, everyone.

-rlh-

24 doesn't seem to be enough

Blogging has been taking a back seat in my life for several months. Not that I don't want to have more of a presence here, but just because I (1) rarely have a reasonably good thought left in my head that I think would be of interest or (2) just don't seem to have enough hours in the day. I've been making some efforts to streamline and organize my little corner of the world, but I'm not sure how successful I've been.

I have three more trips coming up over the next three weeks. I'll be glad when they've come and gone, even though I will enjoy myself while there (one trip is a gathering of Christian writers at a publishing house; one is to lead a Christian women's retreat; and one is to teach a creativity workshop at a conference). I've reached the point where flying doesn't seem much fun anymore. I am ready to settle in for the winter, hunker down, me and my computer and my space heater in my office, and write without distractions. Of course, that's ignoring that I have jury duty coming up in early December; that could prove a major distraction!

After church today, I have to prepare a two to three minute "script" for a taped interview later this week where I'll talk about a book that will come out next year. Oh, goodness. I haven't a clue!

-rlh-

lazy and hazy

August. Those lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer. They are in full evidence here in my part of the country. I went to a meeting at the church last night, one that normally has over 200 (maybe closer to 300) in attendance. My guess is there were 50 tops. People off on vacation before the official start of school. People off to a leadership meeting in California. People off to opening night at the Western Idaho State Fair. People just hot and tired and not leaving home.

My writing has been almost non-existent this week. Life has intruded, time-wise and emotionally as well. Groan. I'm hoping today will get me kick-started on the w-i-p (Diamond Place, April 2006, Revell) — especially since I plan to go play at the Fair on Monday. One thing I did accomplish: I got a proposal off to my agent to submit to one of my publishers. Whew! Felt good to get that checked off my To-Do list.

Having no brilliant thoughts to enter in my blog — and thinking there is a good chance my blog readers are all off playing in the lazy, crazy, hazy days of August, too — I'm going to opt for an easy entry. I'm going to answer Friday's Feast #60 on this Saturday morning:

APPETIZER:
Do you get excited when the season begins to change? Which season do you most look forward to?

Yes, I do. There is something about the different smells and colors of each season. Winter is my least favorite season. I guess I would choose late summer/early fall as my favorite time of year. Right now in Boise, we have hot days (mid 90's) but cool nights (low 50's). So the windows are open as we sleep, letting in the crisp fresh air. Wonderful. Boise also enjoys long Indian summers, usually until almost Halloween. Spring would be my second favorite time of the year as the promise of new life buds all around.

SOUP:
What day of the week is usually your busiest?

Wednesdays. I try to make that my appointment day. Doesn't always work, but that's what I shoot for. When it works out, I only have one day a week when I'm out and about and away from the computer. Sundays are my least busy. A few years ago, I realized I was becoming a workaholic. I would get home from church and discover nothing on TV I wanted to watch and slowly I would gravitate to the computer and writing. So I decided I wouldn't write on Sundays. I can play on the computer, blogging or working on graphic designs or anything that I take creative pleasure in — except writing because that is my "day job" and Sunday is my day of rest. I just about always end up taking a nap!

SALAD:
Would you consider yourself to be strict when it comes to grammar and spelling? What's an example of the worst error you've seen?

Yes, I would consider myself strict, although this blog wouldn't always prove that. I tend to write and post to the blog without going over and over the words first. So my errors often make it through. Worst error? Hmm. Don't know if I can think of one. But one of my pet peeves is how often I hear people use "myself" instead of "me." And I hear it everywhere, including the highly educated. "When the meeting is over, please see either John or myself for a sign up form." Argh! Can't they hear how wrong that is?

MAIN COURSE:
Who has a birthday coming up, and what will you give them as a gift?

Granddaughter #2 is the next family birthday on the horizon. She will turn four. She's getting a Care Bear and a children's computer game of some sort. I'll be traveling on her birthday, so her mother is already in charge of the presents.

DESSERT:
If you could have any new piece of clothing for free, what would you pick?

Oh, I would go for a designer made pantsuit, the sort of thing Laura Bush often wears. She always looks so classy. My work attire is loose-fitting and ultra casual. Capri pants in the summer. Sweat pants in the winter. T-shirts most days. We attend a casual, come-as-you-are church, so dressing up for me is usually a pair of nice jeans and actual shoes rather than the flip-flops I wear out to the mailbox. But when I attend writer conferences or speak to Christian women's groups, I love to get out my "dress clothes" and prove that I clean up pretty good. {{grin}}

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Well, there you go. Now it's time I get to writing on my w-i-p.

Happy Saturday.

-rlh-

new look options

I was clueless about Typepad's upgrades to their system that were planned for this weekend until I took a look at my blog and the design was a mess. A little investigating and I discovered some nice additions, including some new templates. You may see this blog changing its look off and on until I'm completely satisfied.

I worked like crazy today, but not on the book. Just all kinds of things that need handled before I leave town. Life sure can get in the way of our best laid plans, huh?

Tiko, our sheltie, is the biggest coward in the world, all 60+ pounds of her. Thunder and pop guns and fireworks scare her to death. The littlest pop in the neighborhood, and she throws herself at the backdoor, demanding in. Poor baby. The 4th of July is tough on her. Kids have been setting off firecrackers for the past week.

I saw a cute movie yesterday, rented from Netflix. Saving Grace, starring Brenda Blethyn. It's about a widow who discovers her cheating husband left her in horrible debt and what she does to get out of it. It's worth seeing.

-rlh-

epitaph funny

I'm getting a late start on my morning. Spent a couple of hours working on a script for a drama to be performed at a retreat this summer, then working on some miscellaneous other items.

Now it is time to turn my brain toward the wip. But before I do, I simply must share this funny. Another writer friend sent a link to a Yahoo Group for a site where you can design your own tombstone. So here is mine:



Have a great day.

brideshead revisited

Just home from my time at the gym and eating a late lunch/early dinner while checking on email and blogs. Saw this quiz and had to take it. Now I shall have to pop the DVD of the BBC production into the player and watch it.

You are Lady Cordelia Flyte.  You are loving and loyal.  You're not a sentimental dowdy, however: you have a lively sense of humor and keen intellect.

What Brideshead Revisited character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

 

saturday snippets

Saturday. House quiet. Goal on w-i-p: at least 5 pages. Likelihood of achieving goal? See next paragraph.

I'm having company in my home this evening. (Note: Kitchen floor to be mopped; clean kitchen counters and downstairs bathroom; finish vacuuming; tidy family room; get out nice silverware; prepare desserts and vegetable tray.) I always enjoy having guests over but I seldom do it. Varying schedules are hard to work around. But God took care of the details for this reunion of our Plumbline group (the seminar I attended a month ago). I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. In a church the size of ours it's easy to miss people from week to week, especially if everyone doesn't sit in exactly the same spot every week).

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I took a look at my New Year's Resolutions to see how I'm doing. Am doing okay but not great.

(1) Read through the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation — I'm on track with this one. Have maintained daily reading schedule.

(2) Read two "craft books" on writing — So-so. Am halfway through one craft book, reading very sporadically.

(3) Read one "classic" novel — Have started the book I chose. It's good but I keep getting distracted.

(4) Be faithful in my workouts at the fitness center — After the bout with sickness at the start of the year, followed by a flare-up of bursitis in my hip, I am finally back at the fitness center on a more regular basis.

(5) Reach and maintain my weight goal — Hysterical laughter filling my office. I'm so far away from this one all I can do is laugh. Right now I would settle for reaching what I weighed last August.

(6) Maintain a minimum writing goal of XXXX words per week — Nope. Haven't maintained that goal. Am way behind where I should be.

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As has been noted in the comment section in my last American Idol post, there is a web site encouraging people to vote for the worst singer on AI. I guess they have even named him as Scott. I feel kind of sorry for Scott if he is a part of this or if he even knows about it. And if this bunch succeeds then I hope AI goes back to having the panel of judges choose the winner.

One more Idol comment: I purchased the three American Idol Finalists singles (via iTunes Music Store, 21 cents of my 99 cent per single purchase goes to the American Red Cross). I have enjoyed listening to these songs and can identify most of the singers. While I wouldn't purchase a CD from Scott, whether or not he wins, I will be on the look out in the future for CDs by Nadia, Bo, Carrie, Vonzell, and maybe Constantine.

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Well, off to clean house and do a bit of writing, too.

-rlh-

a quiz to pass the time

A hat tip to Church of the Masses for this little quiz which I completed while awaiting the news of the new pope (now known to be Pope Benedict XVI):

What kind of American English does Robin speak?

Your Linguistic Profile:

75% General American English

10% Dixie

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Yankee

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

friday's feast on a thursday

I've never made use of the Friday's Feast (a buffet for your brain) questions, but as I've had a difficult week on the home front (no comment) and I'm in the "getting revved up and ready to write finally after too many days away from the manuscript" mode, I thought I would do so this morning.

Feast #37

Appetizer - Name something that makes you scream.

Cruelty and injustice.

Soup - Who is a musician you enjoy listening to when you want to relax?

Oooh, tough question. I have many favorites. I have my iTunes and iPod jam-packed with all kinds of music. Right now, this very moment, I am listening to Dino (pianist). And I absolutely love the Finding Neverland soundtrack and have used it when getting my last two massages. Very soothing.

nailed again

Yep. It's true. I've got another cold. Nailed by the bug again. I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired. I swear I'm going to improve my immune system and stop this nonsense.

Speaking of which, while lying on the couch yesterday, blowing my nose and generally feeling very sorry for myself, I watched the Jane Pauley show. There was a guy on the show talking about physical age vs. "real" age (decided by different health and lifestyle factors). You can take the test at realage.com. Very interesting stuff. The doctor on the show is actually 58 but his "real" age is 40. I'd like to say I am lots younger (hey, I've lost some weight and been working out) but it isn't so. However, there are some very simple things I can do to change that, including upping the vitamins I take (and making sure I take them every day) and adding an aspirin a day to my regimen.

Here was something I didn't know. Drinking coffee is actually beneficial for a number of reasons. Of course, I use Coffeemate Non-Fat French Vanilla creamer with all of its bad additives, so I bet I don't get quite the benefits from my coffee habit. And did you know that flossing adds to your life? Yep. It's true.

The things we learn when we lop on the couch.

-rlh-

technology, part deux

Well, I am getting a very slow start to my day and must turn my attention to the work at hand. However, wanted to share that the third call to my DSL provider yesterday did the trick. They cleared whatever wires/system/doo-hinky that had to be cleared, and as of about 5:00 last evening, all was working smoothly. Only took about an hour to sift through the 150+ emails that had stacked up.

On one of my Yahoo Groups, I saw "confessions" of writers who are members of 50 and 80 and more Yahoo Groups. Ye gads! And I thought mine was bad. I have seven active groups and about ten others that are for notification where I get one email every month or two. But those seven active groups can generate a lot of email. [Note to self: Don't join any more groups!]

-rlh-

technology - love it/hate it

This week I decided it was time to move my web site to a different host for a savings of $28 per month. That's quite a tidy sum per year, and the new hosting service actually has some better perks. However, as these things often go, it hasn't been as simple as it was supposed to be. My old host is also my DSL provider, and although the domain servers have switched and *other* people can see my new location (I know because I uploaded with a slight difference and I asked a friend to check for me), I still can't see it because my view is through the DSL where I had the old name servers. It also means I can't download my email yet. I can read it on-line as web mail but I can't get it onto my computer until those old name server codes disappear. They told me it would take about an hour when I called. It's been three hours now.

I'm a bit of a techno-nerd. I like my electronic gadgets. I love writing on a computer and sending email and web designing. I like my digital camera and my digital music and my cell phone. I'm the person friends contact when they can't figure something out with their computer software or with Yahoo Groups. Don't get me wrong. I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. That's my son-in-law who makes his living making other companies' systems run right. Yes, I love my electronics, but oh, when they aren't working right, how frustrating it all is.

So here I am, tapping those shoes that were dancing a couple of days ago, waiting for things to start working right again. Sigh.....

-rlh-

we interrupt this blog...

... to recover from another very nasty cold. Third since August. I'm taking my vitamins. I'm sucking on zinc. I've got my Airborne. I ache all over. My chest hurts. My throat hurts. My head hurts. Whaaaa!!!!!

Signed,
One Sick Puppy

robin toon

Oh, my. The things we learn to do on the 'puter. Thanks to Portrait of an Artist as a Young Mom, I found the site where I could "cartoon myself." Have Poppet and cell phone, can travel.

Want to 'toon thyself? Go here.

No, I'm not procrastinating. I've been working. Well, okay. Maybe a little procrastinating but not much.

-rlh-