Starlight Run

Here in Portland, Oregon we have a Rose Festival every year and one of the events that kick off the celebration is the Starlight Parade and Starlight Run. I had to join the festivities and fun and RUN!

People dress up in costumes and there is even a costume contest. I was a little late to the party so I didn't dress up - maybe next year.

But here's a clip from the 2012 Starlight Run.

First Friday

It's June 1st! And usually by this time of the week...you know, Fry...day, I'm worn out. But this is a First Friday here in Portland, Oregon.

So, what does that mean? Maybe not much or maybe not a thing if you're not a Gemini. But, if you are an art lover, it might mean a lot because here in town from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. galleries open their doors and let art lovers wander from gallery to gallery enjoying receptions, art showings and special events.

If you want to read more about it, check it out here.

Query Critique

I had a professional query critique on Tuesday night. It was done on Google Plus (kind of like skyping - but with a group). And the query was shared on-screen. This is a really fun way to do a critique session. I mean...of course it's always best to do things in person, but when you can't, this is a great option.

I learned a lot, not just from my own query but from other writer's queries too. It was apparent that we all made similar "mistakes." None of us seemed to want to over sell ourselves. It's kind of funny. I mean we've got to sell our manuscript to get an agent to want to read the pages and writers may not have any problems with that portion of the project. But...when it comes to talking about ourselves. . . well, most of us just seem to suck. We can't think of the relevant, important things we should be saying in a query.

For example, I was querying a story about a girl with a mental illness. I totally neglected to include anything about my experience working with kids with behavioral and emotional disabilities. I also "forgot" to include the fact that I have a B.S. in psychology. Silly, silly me. And I heard others say the same sort of thing: "I didn't know what to say."

How 'bout you? Are you quick to offer information about yourself in a query? Can you pinpoint the important things you should say, and pare down the frivolous fluff?

A MAJOR Milestone

Okay...so it might not look like much to you. A simple little key chain with a washer linked in it. But that silly little bauble means a whole lot more to me.

See, I've been trying to lose weight for about a year and a half. One of the main reasons I took up the challenge was because my ankles were starting to get . . . stiff, weak, wobbly... I can't think of another good word for it but whatever IT is, it was due to the weight those ankles were under.

So, I joined Weight Watchers and started really paying attention to the food I was eating. It wasn't that the food I was eating was bad, it wasn't. It wasn't that the food was really unhealthy, it wasn't (at least most of the time). The problem was the portions and the lack of exercise I was doing to counter the calories I was consuming.

But this past weekend I finally hit a MAJOR milestone for me: 25 pounds!!!

I stepped on the scale and was pleasantly surprised - I was down 25 pounds. It's taken me a while to reach this goal but I did it!!! And Weight Watchers gave me my little key-chain charm medallion as a mile marker!!! 25 lbs. down, on that marker.

And, it probably helped me reach yesterday's goal too - hitting under the 9 minute mile mark!!!

So, if you're thinking about challenging yourself to lose a few pounds or a hundred, I want to encourage you. If I can do it, so can you! And if you want to chat about it, I'm "hear" to help you. I'd love to hear what advice you have, what challenges and what trials you've been through too. So, if you're on the same weight loss journey, let's travel the path together. After all, everything's better when you share it...except maybe a piece of chocolate ;)

Run for Your Life

There was a day when I realized I was out of shape...okay that's a nice way of saying the "F" word...F.
A.T.! No one wants to admit it. I sure didn't. I love to bake, cook and create my own recipes...

So....what was I supposed to do? Give up baking? No way! Stop cooking? Seriously? Quit creating my own recipes? You've got to be out of your mind.

The only way to lose a little weight (okay a lot of weight) was to take up some heavy-duty cardio workouts. And, I've never been one for dancing. I'm a clutz - okay? I have about as much rhythm as a slug. So there were only a few options left available to me:

Swimming - I hate the cold water in Oregon
Kick boxing - maybe
running - it's free and you can do it anywhere (even in the rain).

My mind was made up...running it was.

So, for the next year and a half, I took up running. And, this past holiday weekend I hit a goal!!! Finally.

I've been trying to get under 9 minutes miles and it hasn't been easy for an old, overweight, out of shape woman. BUTT...and it's a big one...mine, I DID IT!!!!

I ran over 7 miles running 8.35 minute miles! I know that might not sound like much of an accomplishment to you. But to a 50 year-old woman, that's some HUGE accomplishment.

When I started running, I was running a block then walking a block, running a block then walking a block and I was never running faster than twelve minute miles . . . even when I finally ran that full mile. So, this past weekend may not mean much to anyone but ME!!!! YIPPEEE!!!!!

Now....I just have to find a way to do it for another 19.2 miles!

Hopefully, I'll figure it out in the next couple of weeks - because my marathon is just around the corner. Let's hope it's a downhill corner ;)

A Day to Remember

Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day may be a holiday meant to remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces but it's also used to remember loved ones who are gone. We've always gone up to the cemetery to make sure the gravestones are being maintained. One time my sister's letters fell off her name. The staff doesn't always notice, but we sure did.

Of course they fixed it as soon as we pointed it out. But we also like to make sure the flowers look good. We usually use silk flowers. They used to look cheesey but nowadays I can rarely tell the difference between "fake" flowers and real ones.

Memorial Day used to be known as Decoration Day and originally was meant to remember the Union soldiers in the Civil War.

Now it's also used as a day off to spend with family and friends eating good food and picnicing.

However you spend your holiday, I hope you have a healthy and happy one :)

Earth-Friendly Friday

This is a product I love on my Pinterest page and I think it's worth sharing again and again because it's an all terrain vehicle designed by a 21-year old girl. That's younger than my daughter. Way kewl!!! It's not just a vehicle that can go in snow, water and land...it can also hover!

Check it out here.