It's the most busiest time of the year...

This time of year is always busy, and once again, despite my best efforts to be in control of time and space, I have got a whole lot going on.

Some of this is my fault. I decided to do a book give-away at this time of year. So now my office looks like the post office.

But there have been other things, too. This weekend, for instance, we had the Great Furniture Shuffle of '09, moving the last of my son's furniture from our house (bye-bye, mate's bed...sniffle...) to his new digs, as well as moving furniture from a relative's house that was going to my son's new digs, our niece's house and our house. That was a day, especially considering I have the upper body strength of a gnat.

However, I'm also trying to get my Christmas sewing done, so yesterday, I made an outfit for Niece's New Baby. Do you know how hard it is to find fleece in a pattern suitable for a little baby?

Also, note to self for future reference: do not sew white fleece while wearing black jeans!

As far as work goes, I'm waiting for revision notes (always stressful!). I also have to come up with a new title.

So, today, I have books to get ready to mail, titles to think of, and sewing to do - matching outfit for New Baby's sister, nightie for sister, dress for Baby, pj bottoms for Nephew, and two Christmas stockings. If the revisions aren't too much and I have time (cue maniacal laughter) I hope to make a couple of little mice decorations, too.

Weight Loss Challenge - progress at last!

I wasn't optimistic when I stepped on the scale yesterday afternoon. I bought some excellent toffee at the One of a Kind craft show on Sat. and munched it until Wednesday, when it ran out. I didn't get a chance to exercise at all on Monday.

But lo! I was 139.2. Granted, this is not a huge drop, but still - progress!

As noted in my blog last week, I sometimes rowed instead of walking/treadmilling. I started at 450 strokes, which worked up a good sweat, used more muscles (arms and back) and took about 20 minutes, so it's a faster, more extensive workout. Unfortunately, rowing isn't the best for other parts of my body, so I don't know if I can do it more than twice a week.

Today and tomorrow, I'm helping to move furniture. I'll probably get on the treadmill today, but not tomorrow, and I suspect I might want to spend most of Sunday recovering. But at least progress has been made, so I'm a happy camper today!

This week's walking/treadmill/rowing tally:
Sat. - 10,101 steps
Sun. - nothing
Mon. - rowed 450 strokes
Tues. - 1 ht. on TM
Wed. - rowed 550 strokes
Thurs. - 45 min. on TM (I didn't sleep well Wed. night, so I was too wiped to do more)

It'll be interesting to see what next week brings! I made a cake yesterday for company and have left-overs.

ETA: I realized I ought to clarify that I didn't make the cake because I thought a cake could offer companionship. Daughter was coming for dinner and I made it for dessert. :-)

What the Dickens?

It's no surprise that writers revise. Goodness knows I sure do plenty of that (Exhibit A, pictured here). Compare and contrast Charles Dickens' original manuscript of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Wonder what he would have done with colored ink?

What's your favorite film version of this story? I personally like the classic with Alistair Sim, although those two little kids under the robe of the Ghost of Christmas Present give me the willies. But then, they're supposed to.

Daughter likes the Muppet version.

I won't be seeing the newest one. It looks too weird to me.

And hey, that story was a hit even before the current paranormal craze!

What are these creatures invading my space?

I've been doing a little Christmas decorating. The Count is not impressed.

Free Books!

Last week, I asked my email newsletter subscribers if they'd like free, autographed copies of my books if they had to pay shipping and handling. You see, it costs a lot to mail things in Canada and we don't have that wonderful "media mail" like they do in the US. That's why I don't tend to offer free books or books as prizes. However, the answer was a resounding "Yes!" so I'm opening up the offer to readers of my blog as well. You won't have the same selection as my newsletter readers, because they've already spoken for many of the books, but there are still several left of some of the more recent titles.

Here's how this giveaway will work:

I'm going to list the books here. When you've decided which one(s) you'd like, send me an email at maggiejmoore@yahoo.com with the titles, your postal code if you're Canadian, your state if you're American, and your country if you live in neither. Then I'll email you the cost of shipping and handling. You may ask for as many as you'd like. However, shipping and handling will go up depending on weight, destination and size of package.

If you're still willing once you've seen the cost, you send me a check or money order for the amount of shipping and handling to the address I'll provide. When I receive the payment, I'll send the autographed books. The price quoted will the cheapest rate, so it may take a couple of weeks. In other words, I can't guarantee that the books will arrive by Christmas.

It will be on a first-come, first-get-books basis, for as long as I have books to give away. Please be patient if it takes me awhile to get back to you - I've been doing nothing but this for two days already and had to make a supply run twice! My office looks like Santa's sweat...um, workshop.

The books are:

A SCOUNDREL'S KISS
Limited quantity.

ALL MY DESIRE


THE BRIDES OF CHRISTMAS

An anthology with stories by Jo Beverley and Deborah Simmons, as well. Trade size. USA Today bestseller! Limited quantity.



GWYNETH AND THE THIEF
My one and only Young Adult historical romance. Limited quantity.


HERS TO DESIRE




MY LORD'S DESIRE









THE NOTORIOUS KNIGHT


KNAVE'S HONOR




Was it visions of sugar plums that prompted this move?

No. It's the new season of Hoarders starting on A&E tonight!

Weight Loss Challenge - ARGH

Well, this is getting frustrating! Back to 141 today. Granted, I went on a mini-Tootsie binge over the weekend, but I haven't had a cola since Sunday, so I thought (obviously foolishly) that it would somehow balance out. I've eaten out a couple of times, but aimed for healthy.

I'm seriously thinking there's something to this idea that my body thinks, "Wow! It's getting cold. I'd better have a little extra insulation." I'm also wondering if I shouldn't do something different in terms of exercise.

So my latest plan is to add rowing to the regimen. I can't do it everyday, as it can aggravate an old injury, but I think if I treadmill one day and row the next, I should be okay. I'll have to start slow with the rowing, but it's worth a shot. Because something has got to change or I'm not even going to get close to my goal of 135 by Christmas!

This week's treadmill tally (and upon looking at my record, I see that I didn't exercise as much as I thought, so...there ya go.):

Friday, Nov. 20: 1 hr. on TM
Sat. Nov. 21 - 1/2 hr. on TM (this was a surprise - I guess I was busier than I thought!)
Sun. Nov. 22 - social event, so no TM
Mon. Nov. 23 - 1 hr. on TM
Tues. Nov. 24 - 1 hr. on TM
Wed. Nov. 25 - 1 hr. on TM
Thurs. Nov. 26 - 45 min. on TM

This week's plan - get out the rowing machine and see how hard I can work on it. I won't be on the treadmill tomorrow, but I will be wandering around a craft show. Sunday, treadmill. Monday, row. Tuesday, TM. Wednesday, row, etc. No cola. No cola or chocolate until Thursday (treats during Survivor are mandatory in our house). Fingers crossed I can get to below 140, anyway!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! Wishing you a wonderful time with family, friends and good food!