May 30, 2008

Dang it! I missed another day. Well, I probably didn't have much to write about anyway.

Made it to the gym again yesterday, and worked on some research for a saloon story for True West magazine. I worked on some travel plans for my Arizona trip next week and booked our niece's plane ticket for her July visit. I think we are going camping in the NC mountains.

I finished my part of the saloon story today and sent it to the co-author of the story. His name is Johnny Boggs and he is a fantastic writer. Great sense of humor, too.

It feels so good to finish a project. I worried about it for a week and then I finally did it. Wished I had done it sooner.

I took a new class at the gym today - 20/20/20. Twenty minutes of cardio, kick boxing, and weight lifting. Great work out!

Sticking close to home this weekend to pack for the trip.

May 28, 2008

Today started out with a good workout at the gym. It's been raining most of the day, so no walk.

My publisher called to say he really likes the Pioneer book and gave me some tips to strengthen the Intro and Biblio. I will work on that this week/weekend so I can send it off to him.

Not much else is going on...

May 27, 2008

It was a nice long weekend. The two parties on Sunday were totally different, but both were fun.

Yesterday, I planted more flowers that I care to remember. My back is letting me know about it today.

Watched three of my favorite movies this weekend. All involving Clint Eastwood, of course. First was Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which he produced and directed. Then it was Any Which Way but Loose and Any Which Way You Can.

I forgot to mention that I am hooked on a new show. It's called Robin Hood and airs on BBC America.

May 23, 2008

Well, I totally spaced this blog yesterday. I had my teeth cleaned, which took two hours (no, they're not that bad) because I had to wait for the dentist to show up. Boy was I pi$$sed.

Anyway, I had to skip the gym, then the painters showed up and I had some additional prep work.

I forgot to mention that I took on another assignment from my publisher. This time it's to review another author's work and recommend for or against publishing. I read the Intro and I am already hooked...

I also have to work on my saloon story for True West magazine this weekend. The deadline is coming real fast.

We have two Memorial Day parties on Sunday and I am not sure what's in store for Monday since we have off. Maybe planting flowers, shopping, who knows.

Have a super weekend!

May 21, 2008

I started the day by taking a circuit training class. I always feel so much better when I work out, but I wish I would see some physical progress.

I watched Gordon Ramsay last night and I must say that his temper trantrums are getting a little over the top. C'mon - kicking the trash can and throwing pans. I also watched a very neat show on the legend of the crystal skulls. Well, Indiana Jones premieres tomorrow so it caught my eye. It was an awesome show, but I am bummed to know that civiliation as we all know it will cease to exist on December 21, 2012 if you believe the legend! That is, of course, unless all 13 skulls are aligned in time.

I got some living to do then...that's only four years. :)

We are having the exterior of the house painted, but the painters didn't show up today. They should be here tomorrow...tonight however, I have to remove all the plants, furniture, etc. from the porch and back deck.

May 20, 2008

I took the kick boxing class again and I still love it. I fell on my a$$ while doing one move, but I don't believe I did any damage. I also had a mammogram today - ouch! You would think in the 21st century they would have something less painful. I guess the alternative is worse.

Weird weather - today is sunny and 80 while yesterday was overcast, 65 and cool. We're supposed to have wicked t-storms later.

I am working on a new article for True West magazine with fellow author Johnny Boggs about saloons in the west. It should be tons of fun.

My new addiction, Hell's Kitchen, is on tonight...

May 19, 2008

Well, we took the carry concealed handgun class on Saturday. The class started at 7:45 a.m. and lasted until 6:15 p.m. that night. We were exhausted. There are so many things that I did not know about the gun laws in NC. I guess I knew, but forgot, but we can carry a handgun on our property and in public, as long as is it NOT concealed. However, there is a little law that says if you do that and it freaks people out, then you can go to jail for a night...so carry wisely!

Our class was to allow us to carry a concealed handgun. Not that I really want to everywhere I go, but it will be nice in some places.

Yesterday was spent at my mom's house. We did a ton of yard work for her as her Mother's Day gift. I pressured washed some chairs and back deck. I also trimmed all her bushes and helped plant some others.

Needless to say my back, arms, feet, oh hell, I hurt all over!

May 16, 2008

Last night we went to dinner at the little Italian place nearby. They have gotten better at service and the food is always pretty tasty. I opted for lasagna.

Today I started with a 2-mile power walk. I also just got back from the gym where I lifted weights.

Tomorrow is going to be interesting. We have decided to take a class so we can have permits to carry handguns. It's not that I wanna go toting a gun around on my hip like Wyatt Earp (well, that would be cool), it's more so that when we take our guns to Arizona, I have a permit that says I can. It's not illegal, but it sure will avoid any confusion with the law.

As you might guess, I am not afraid of guns and have had them around me all my life. My father was a hunter and he taught me to respect firearms--and how to use them.

I will report on the class in my Monday blog.

May 14, 2008

Oops-missed yesterday.

I took a circuit training class yesterday at the gym - pretty intense. I also managed to update my website and it includes a May recipe and links to some new stuff under the appearance page.

Today I took the group strength training class. My shoulders are still sore from the kick boxing class. It was pretty cool today when the instructor told me I had "great arms." Sweet!

I have to admit that I love Gordon Ramsay. I swore I wouldn't watch Hell's Kitchen after last year, but I am hooked. I wonder what that says about me? LOL

May 13, 2008

Last night's concert at the local high school was very nice.

Today I took a kick boxing class, which I have never done before. It was very cool, but I need some practice! I will definitely take that again next week.

I need to update my website to include the May free recipe. I also just noticed that one of my 2004 Wild West Tech shows is replaying on May 31 at 9 a.m. so I want to add that.

It's hard to believe I did that four years ago. It was that Gold Rush Tech show that got me my stint on Lost Worlds. The producer, Tom, said that's where he saw me for the first time. Who knows what the Lost Worlds episode will lead to...

May 2, 2008

The weekend was nice-did the usual: shopping, tasting, etc. Yesterday was Mother's Day and I was planning to make mom dinner. However, one of her kitties got sick so we rushed him to the pet E.R. He only had a sore throat and bad virus. Before all that I planted flowers and things in the yard. It was really overcast and windy.

I managed to book all my travel plans for Arizona next month. I will be in Tombstone for a few days and then up to Scottsdale for the WWA convention.

Today is still very windy and cool. I have a cello concert to attend tonight, which should be nice.

May 9, 2008

Today was a weird day. I attempted to go for a walk at 8:30 and still haven't made it. I guess no workout today. My Internet went down and I had three meetings that I couldn't miss, so I was scrambling to find a local place with wi-fi. Just when I did, the Internet came back up. I've been in meetings ever since.

I am finally done and getting ready to quit.

Tomorrow will be spent shopping and wine tasting.

May 8, 2008

I had dinner with my mom last night and helped her with her foster kitties.

I am feeling much better today so I went to the gym and took a group strength training class. Now I feel really good - tired, but good!

It's rainy today and the weather is supposed to get pretty ugly later tonight.

Oh, that interview I did is here: http://marshaward.blogspot.com/

May 7, 2008

Yesterday afternoon was a good day. I got my Washington Redskins season ticket seats upgraded to an awesome new section. No more covered dungeon seats - these are about 20 rows from the field!!

A friend also called with some potentially good news...which I will share if, no, when it happens.

I had dinner with another friend last night and she watched my Lost Worlds show on my DVD player. It was actually funny - we were in the back of the restaurant and a couple sat near us. We chuckled at the show a couple of times and they asked us what we were watching. Sharon told them and they said, wow, we're eating dinner with someone famous. Well, you know me and my smart a$$ attitude, so I said, yep, you knew me on sight (of course they had no idea who I was)! Before they left they toyed with the idea of getting my autograph. Well, that would have been a first for me. I have only ever given my John Hancock when I've sold a book!

I skipped the gym today because I am feeling a little off today. I am not sure what's wrong, but I just don't feel 100%. I will attempt a walk later.

May 6, 2008

Happy Primary Election Day!

I say happy because maybe, until November, the numerous political calls will end. I swear if Hillary Clinton calls me one more time... (well it's a recording). ;)

Anyway, I did my civic duty. It should be interesting to see how things play out tonight.

I went to the gym today, but missed yesterday.

Dinner was yummy last night - I made Chile Rellenos, refried beans, green corn tamales, and margaritas, of course!

I did an interview with Marsha Ward, which will be posted to her blog soon. When it does, I will include the link here.

May 5, 2008

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

We had a blast on Saturday at the antiques fair. The weather was perfect. We got there about 10:30 and left at 4:30. We only stopped to eat, which consisted of NC BBQ at the Presbyterian Church. Needless to say our feet were tired.

I was amazed at the amount of western collectibles I saw in NC. I bought three books. One is a 1956 children's book called, Wyatt Earp, the next is a 1938 booklet called, Hell's Hip Pocket, and the third is the Last of the Mochicans by James Fenimore Cooper, with not copyright date.

I also bought a Derby hat in honor of the day. After lunch we dropped off some purchases and enjoyed the juleps I brought along. How sad they had to put down Eight Belles.

Yesterday we did a little shopping and then came home and did yard work. I planted flowers and herbs and cleaned out some flower beds.

Heading to the gym later...although I think I got plenty of exercise over the weekend.

May 2, 2008

I have been doing really well with going to the gym and walking. I was up early today so I already did my walking. I will hit the gym for weight lifting later today. I also need to help with the feral kitties - nail clipping.

The interview I did on Sunday is available anytime on the Website and they also included a review of Taste of Tombstone (2008 version). http://www.southwestblend.com/Books_Poetry/Monahan_S.htm

Tomorrow we are headed to a quaint little town called, Cameron. They have a bi-annual antiques fair and they place is bursting at the seams with antique dealers. It was a blast last year and I can't wait to go tomorrow. We're going with another couple - Bev and Dave, who are long-time friends from high school.

Tomorrow is also Kentucky Derby day so I am taking some Mint Juleps to go!

May 1, 2008

Happy May!

Yesterday was one of those days when being an author is very cool. I know this may not be a big deal to some who read this, but to an author doing research for their next book - it is!

I was doing some research for my top secret book and was looking through old newspapers (online) and was tracking a particular man. Well, low and behold, the 1890s newspaper included a sketch of this guy, plus some other sketches associated with the story. OMG! That is so freakin' cool. I can't wait to use this in my book. See? It may seem a little nutty, but it's such an awesome feeling.

When I gave my talk in Georgia about researching the Old West, I alluded to something like this. As a researcher, you look for all sorts of "treasures" and when you find the big nugget, it's a real rush.

I made it to the gym yesterday and will go today. It's supposed to be 77, so I will attempt an afternoon walk as well.