Thursday 3: Wii Fit

The real meme is called Thursday 13, but I only do 3.

I recently bought a Wii system specifically so I could also buy the Wii Fit "game." I had tried Wii Fit while on vacation last year and thought it might just be the only way ever invented to get me to do tortur--er, exercise.

Here are my three favorite yoga poses from Wii Fit.

1. Sun Salutation - This pose requires you to bend over and touch your toes. I'm an inflexible, crotchety middle-aged woman. I can't do that without bending my knees, but actually, I'm getting there. When I first started Wii Fit, I was about eight inches away from touching my toes. Now I'm about 3! I'm getting more flexible. The crotchety part still applies.

2. Bridge - This pose I feel a lot in my butt and thighs.

3. Cobra - This pose is a little tough on my sore shoulder, but I like how it stretches out my lower back.

Do you have a Wii Fit? What are your favorite yoga poses? If you don't have a Wii Fit, do you want one?

Heaven for Your Nose

This is the Pumpkin Brulee candle. It smells AMAZING and makes me feel cuddly and warm and comforted when ever I light it.

You can get it at Kohl's. I love Kohl's.

Hostile Takeover 1 Year Anniversary

One year ago today, Liquid Silver Books released my novella, Hostile Takeover. This was the first story I ever finished. When I wrote it, I never imagined making any money from it, but to my great surprise, it's sold the most copies out of all my books. I think it's because this is a no-holds-barred dubious-consent-leads-to-love story and many publishers shy away from this politically incorrect theme.

So, to commemorate this "momentous" occasion, I'm holding a month long contest. For every ten entries, I'll give away one copy of Hostile Takeover.

All you have to do to enter is send me an email (kate_willoughby at yahoo dot com) if you'd like to be included in the drawing so I can contact you on May 28 if you win. Too often I've held contests where the winner never came back to the blog to collect the prize.

Get All Fifty!

Do you know your United States geography? I thought I did. This site proved me wrong.

http://jimspages.com/States.htm

After a couple of tries, I got 92%, largely because I got some key states first and was able to use those to orient others whose locations I was more fuzzy on.

Have fun!

And don't forget about my Writing for Woman's World Magazine blog. A new story analysis is up there.

Weekly Wrap-Up #1: Fuggedaboudit

You know, I'm tired of blogging about art. I blog for fun. And for the past couple of months, finding art for Friday has become a chore. So, I'm nixxing the Friday Art feature, which hung around for 118 posts.

Instead I'm going to do a Weekly Wrap-Up. This meme originates here.

This week's topic is Forgetting.

Have you forgotten anything in the past week? If so, what?
--I forgot what I forgot. LOL. I'm old.

Are you usually scatter-brained or more organized? I used to be very organized. Mind like a steel trap. Ever since I had kids...my trap isn't quite so steely.

Do you use any sort of planner or agenda for your dates? I LIVE by my planner. A few months ago, I lost it for about an hour (thought I'd left it in a Target shopping cart) and I was sick to my stomach until I found it (at the restaurant we'd had lunch at after leaving Target.)

Does it help to not forget? Yes, without it, I would be a mess. (However, with the stomach upset, maybe I'd be thinner due to lack of appetite.)

What do you feel about the phrase “forgive and forget?” I think it's a goal, but, to be honest, I sometimes fall short of that.

What about you?

Have you forgotten anything in the past week? If so, what?
Are you usually scatter-brained or more organized?
Do you use any sort of planner or agenda for your dates? Does it help to not forget?
What do you feel about the phrase “forgive and forget?”

Thursday 3: The Willies

Three creatures that give me the willies:

1. Leeches
2. Maggots
3. Young kids who are allowed to get their food from the buffet without their parent's supervision.

I'm serious about that last one. I once saw a kid stick her finger up the frozen yogurt dispenser at the MGM Grand Hotel buffet for a taster. Appalled, I told her not to do that. She looked at me like I was confused/crazy. (Who is this strange woman actually talking to me?) Needless to say, I did not subsequently get myself any frozen yogurt.

Promo Swag

Does free stuff make you want to buy the product? Many writers I know spend a lot of money on pens, pocket mirrors, emery boards, refrigerator magnets, bookmarks, etc. in order to promote their books. I wonder if it's worth it. Because, personally, I've only ever once bought a book because of something I got for free at a conference. Guess what that item was?

A book.

Yep. The only thing that's prompted me to actually buy someone's book is another one of their books. None of that other stuff works with me.

What about you? Do bookmarks and the like move you to action?

Two Choices #5: Croissant or Muffin

If you have to choose between a blueberry muffin and a croissant, the butter croissant is actually fewer calories! A blueberry muffin is about 500, and the croissant is "only" 270. You'd think with the word butter in the name, it would be super bad for you! These days, I'm so chubby, I'll have to choose the croissant, but there's nothing yummier than a blueberry muffin straight from the oven with a crunchy muffin top on it and steaming soft cakey goodness inside. YUM.

What do you choose? Muffin or croissant?

A Half Century of Bunk?

A fellow Liquid Silver Books author, Jeanne Barrack, recommended this fantastic and eye-opening article to me about the famous staple for grammar shown on the right. The article is 50 Years of Stupid Grammar Advice by Geoffrey K. Pullum.

I wanted to share it with any writers who come here because the article has prompted me to donate my copy of Strunk and White to the library. I won't be referring to it anymore.

Oh, and it's Monday, so there's a new story analysis/review at my Writing for Woman's World Magazine blog.

Artist: Vicki Greene

I'm really tired from work so I didn't spend much time searching for artwork. On my desk I have a bowl with a betta fish in it. His name is Chow and he's red and blue, even violet in places. He's very fiesty and is always busily blowing bubbles for his nest, in case a female betta shows up. So, in his honor, here's a lovely watercolor by Vicki Greene. Go here if you'd like to see more or inquire about purchasing her work.

Thursday 3: Fast Food

Thursday 13 is too many. I do three.

This week I'm in an eating mood. Hell, I'm actually in an eating mood every week! LOL Anyway, here are my three favorite fast food places.

1. In N Out Burger - This chain is only in the west, so sorry all you east coasters. There is NOTHING like the first bite of an In N Out burger with everything. They make your burger only after you order it. The bun is grilled. The onions are sweet, the french fries freshly cut every day.

2. Carl's Jr. - Too bad my kids don't like this place. I think their Famous Star burger kicks butt. I love the gooeyness of the mayo and ketchup.

3. McDonald's - If all calorie counting goes by the wayside, I LOVE their filet o' fish. YUM. Combine it with some yummy fries and I'm a happy camper.

Where do you go for the best bad for you food?

T-Shirt Hilarity

I am becoming more disenchanted with the Bella and Edward world. I just watched the movie last weekend and was less impressed than I was with the book. I wanted to laugh several times (at non-funny parts), but thought that might ruin the experience for my family. (My 15 year old son liked the movie.)

So, an online writer friend sympathized with my disenchantment and told me about this t-shirt. Here's the blurby thing from the site where you can buy it.

Don't you think the vampires-are-people-too thing has gone a little too far? I mean, the whole point of a vampire is that they survive by sucking your blood. I don't care if his skin glows and twinkles and he smells like kittens and fabric softener, he's still just a glorified syringe. Remember the last time you had blood drawn? Yeah, me too, and it sucked! It's time we put an end to this nonsense: Edward, may I treat you to a stake dinner?

Now, I have never watched Buffy, but this still cracked me up. Kittens and fabric softener? LMAO!

Two Choices #4: Top or Front?

I was filling out a survey for Harris Polls Online (where I earn points for prizes) and it was asking me about my next washer purchase. Did I anticipate a front loading machine or a top loading machine? Luckily, one of the choices was "I don't know." I know nothing about front loading machines because I've only ever used top loaders. HOWEVER, now that I think about it, I always have trouble snatching the last few socks from the bottom of the well because I'm so short. So, next time I'll be getting a front loader.

What about you?

Romance Divas' Excerpt Monday

A bunch of Romance Divas participate in Excerpt Monday and I decided to join in. The deal is we all post a little snippet of something we've written and read everyone else's. It sounded like fun, so here I go.

This is from my work in progress, Asking For It. It's the third book in my Be-Wished series about three friends who get their wishes granted by Davina, a wish fairy.

Set up: It's raining. It's nighttime. This excerpt is PG.

***Begin Excerpt***

A glass coffin appeared not six feet away on Livvy's front lawn.

Holy shit!

Livvy stared at it for a moment or two, disbelieving, because the person sleeping inside of it was not Snow White. It was her sexy neighbor.

At least, she thought he was sleeping.

She waited for the prickly feeling of a Flash in the Pan enchantment. She prayed for it. Please let it be an FIP. Unfortunately, she felt nothing. Maybe she had to be closer.

Warily, she went outside. Through the wet glass of the coffin she saw that he was breathing, thank goodness. She also saw that he wasn’t wearing a shirt. Just some gym shorts. And man, he was ripped. Like Rambo ripped. He had a buzz cut, he needed a shave and he had a wicked awesome tat of butterflies on his bicep.

Keeping one eye on him, she dialed Davina.

“Livvy,” the fairy said. “I’m in the middle of something.”

“Well, so am I! A glass coffin just showed up in my yard with my new neighbor sleeping inside it.”

“Pfft! And you’re calling me because…?"

“I need you to tell me what to do!”

“Give me a break, Livvy. Bet he moved in after you made your wish…”

“Yes, he did, but—“

“Well, it’s obvious what you should do.”

Livvy gasped. “You mean…” She glanced again at the man who’d inspired her armored tank fantasy and swallowed hard. “You mean kiss him?”

“It is a guy, isn’t it?”

“Yes…definitely.”

Livvy could almost hear the fairy smile. “Bet he’s cute.”

“Well, yes. Actually, really cute.”

“Then of course you’re supposed to kiss him! He must be the one. The magic is working just like I told you it would. Now, stop lollygagging and go kiss him. He’ll wake up. And after that, well, do what comes naturally.” A snorting laugh came over the line, then dead air.

“Davina? Davina?” But the fairy had hung up.

Kiss him. Livvy stared at the man in the coffin and frowned. Easy for her to say.
Just the thought of kissing this man awake got her heart beating triple time for a couple of different reasons, and this was what she’d been waiting for, damn it. The goal had been to find her true love, a wonderful man to share her life with, and according to Davina, here he was.

And he did have nice lips.

*** End Excerpt***

Here are links to the other people participating. Check out their snips, too.

Maureen McCarrie
Vivienne Westlake
Jeannie Lin
Kinsey Holley
Becca Sheridan-Furrow
Kirsten Saell
M. Berthier
Ella Drake
Evie Byrne
Eden Bradley
Gina Ardito
R.F. Long
Bria Quinlan
Stephanie Adkins
Rose London
Lynn Chandler
B.E. Sanderson
Babette James
Amber Gilchrist
T. Sue VerSteeg


Thanks for stopping by!

Artist: Lynn Christopher

Happy Art Friday, everyone. :) This sculpture is by Lynn Christopher. The first image is the final bronze sculpture. The second and third are of the artist's proof, cast in marble resin.

What I find amazing about this particular piece, "Surrender," is how the heck is it standing up? It must be so precisely balanced. That in and of itself awes me. And then, there's the beauty of the form. I love the woman's hair. If you'd like to view more of Christopher's work visit her website.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Thursday 3: Twilight Semi-Fan

Thursday 13 is too much. I only do three.

I just finished New Moon, the second Bella and Edward book. Again, I'm underwhelmed. Here are three reasons why (spoilers may ensue):

1. It begins with 400 pages of not much: Bella angsts over losing Edward (a hell of a lot), hallucinates, and makes a new best friend. The final 100 pages or so are better. Stuff finally happens.

2. Bella uses Jacob horribly. As soon as Edward comes back into the picture, she dumps him. Bitch. Jacob deserves better. Bella is not a heroine I like.

3. I'm sorry, but I can't buy that a roomful of tourists are drained of their blood in Volturra and no one in the media makes a big fuss. Is this a regular occurence? Why haven't the authorities discovered the existence of a vampire coven?

I'm going to give Eclipse a chance, only because a friend at work said number four is really good. I hope the library is able to get me a copy before I lose interest. The movie should be arriving via Blockbuster tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.

Oxymoron?

I just read on the Passionate Ink website (an erotic romance writing organization I belong to) that one of its members got fourth place in a writing contest with her Christian Erotic entry. What are your feelings about Christian erotic romance? Can Christians enjoy sexually titilating reading material in good conscience? Why or why not? If they believe that God is the creator, then obviously God intended for sex to be pleasurable, even transcendant with someone you deeply love.

Pens I Want #8

I love pens. Always have. My friend Dana is also a pen freak. I think my sons have inherited my pen fetish because they're always stealing mine.

I so want this pen, and my birthday is in only eight months! Plus, this is too girly for the boys to want to use.

Here's where to get it. Go! Go now! Time's a wasting!

Alex P. Keaton

I saw this quote in my Woman's World magazine and had to share it.

If a man says something in the forest and his wife isn't there to hear him, he's still wrong.

--Michael J. Fox

Isn't that priceless? I would love to meet Michael J. Fox sometime. He seems like such a great guy.

And don't forget I have another blog. I analyze Woman's World stories every Monday in an effort to help others publish stories with them. And today's Monday!

Artist: Michael R. Allison

Happy Art Friday! I love glass sculpture. Michael Allison combines industrial manufactured items, namely faucets, with the fluid shapes of blown glass. This is called "Sap." I just love it.


This other piece is called "fire House." Coincidentally, he works out of LA. :) If you'd like to see more of his work or commission him for your very own glass faucet sculpture, go to his website, FluidGlassMovements.com . May the fun in your weekend flow like the sap from the sculpture above, or be fiery and exciting like the one below. :)

Thursday 3: The Show Must Go On

I love going to theatre, but I hate the high prices. Regardless, here are the last three live shows I went to see.

1. Phantom of the Opera - This was at the Pantages in Hollywood. It was a good performance, but not the best I've ever seen. I thought the woman playing Christine was a little weak. The man playing the Phantom was AWESOME.

2. Honk, Jr.- My son was in this play, put on by the Placerita Junior High Drama Club. It, too, was a musical. One of the female leads made me teary at the end when she was crying over the body of her daughter.

3. Wicked - It's funny how some musicals can really ENTRANCE the majority of the people and leave me feeling meh. Wicked was one of those plays. Wasn't all that thrilled with Cats or Les Miz either.

Romance Junkies High Five

At last! A review for A Wolf at Her Door! Romance Junkies gave it FIVE BLUE RIBBONS! Woot! Here's what the reviewer, Ladybirdrobi, had to say:

I thoroughly enjoyed A WOLF AT HER DOOR. It was definitely a page turner, complete with all the right moves for a happily ever after. Adam is stunning and Paige is a woman many would admire. Unveiling the mystery page by page was a joy for me and it held just the right amount of passion. Ms. Willoughby will have no complaints from me but she will get a high five for a job well done.

I didn't really know there was a mystery, but hey, it's cool that she was intrigued!