Pillow hair ...

Okay that was just a teaser, this isn't really about pillow hair ... though it is about waking up. I recently came across a Chinese proverb:

When sleeping women wake, mountains move.

My heart quickened at the truth found within this simple phrase. I've read and heard many, many quotes throughout my life (some of which are written on the walls of my home), but don't recall ever hearing this one. Maybe I had heard it, but wasn't ready to listen to its meaning. I have been asleep for a long time.

I'm awake now ... and ready to move some mountains.

There's a scene in the movie Thelma and Louise where Thelma says to Louise:
"Are you awake?"
Louise responds, "I guess you can call it that ... my eyes are open."
Thelma says, "Me too. I feel awake.Wide awake. I don't remember ever feeling this awake. Know what I mean? Everything looks different."

This woman has been roused. I hope you're ready.

Calling cards

The idea of a calling card, also known as a visiting card, used during the late 18th and early 19th centuries has always intrigued me. If you wanted to make the acquaintence of someone, you went to their home and left a card.

Of course, just as with our modern day Facebook, Myspace, and emails, there was a very definitive set of rules that went along with the custom. Each folded corner held a different meaning, and the manner that the card was delivered was also noted. Was it presented to the occupant of the home by the card owner or did a servant deliver it? Was the card engraved or printed?

Modern day business cards have their place and serve a purpose, but as an author I am my business. What I want is an easy-to-carry-and-keep, attractive remembrance that will pique the curiosity, compelling the holder to go directly to my website: the cornerstone of my business.

This week, it addition to assembling my product (writing), I will also be designing a calling card. Be sure to follow this blog and you'll be the first to see it.

Are there any customs or rituals that you've introduced into your way of living? I'd love to hear about them.

Birth of a novel

[microphone in my face] Ms. Gunn, now that everything's set for the release of your first book...the editing, the excerpts, the website, the cover...what are you going to do?

[laughing] Oh, I'm going to Disney World!!

Yeah, that would have been nice. The reality is I took all the amazing energy that came from uploading my gorgeous cover to all the right places and used it to completely clean my house. [shaking head] I cleaned places that haven't seen the light of day in years -- like under the stove! Believe me, that wasn't a discovery that will be finding its way into any upcoming novel. [shrug] Although you really never can tell when something seemingly too mundane, too base, might weave its way in.

If at some point you read about the disgusting gunky, understove buildup in a future book...well, you are in the know as to where that hands-on reasearch came from.

Now to get back to the real way to celebrate the release of my book. Finish the next one!!

Weighty issues...

This has nothing to do with writing, but since it has to do with my life I figured here is as good a place as any to share.

My daughter and I are three weeks into dancing our way thinner. Just about every day we have danced to the program called Rockin' Body (from BeachBody.com) and we are each down several pounds. It took a while to get the routines, but now that we know them, I'm optimistic that we'll be shedding weight in no time!

Like many others, I've had love-hate issues with my body through the years. In the last year or so I've been able to come to terms with it and have learned to be happy in my skin. For me it's not so much an issue of how I look (though I want to look HOT this summer in skirts or a nice bathing suit!), I'm more concerned with how I feel. I'm tired of being tired.

Technically I haven't set a goal weight or date, but I'd like to see some serious results (down 20 pounds) by June. How about you? Got a weight loss success story or exercise program that you've tried with good results? Please share it here.