Dog days of August....

My husband, Dave and I live in Mesa, Arizona, a city just 20 minutes outside of Phoenix. Arizona touts, "It's hot but it's a dry heat," as if somehow, it makes the weather more tolerable. Actually, once you get used to the heat, it's kind of true.

I'll take 105 degree weather without the humidity anytime over 105 degree in 50% plus humidity! At that point, you walk outside and start dripping. It's lovely, like having your own personal sauna. The only catch is you have to wear all your clothes. Summer's not too bad, evenings it cools down to the balmy 90's, and the humidity climbs even more! Local merchants and restaurant owners will even add fine spraying misters to lure you outdoors to their patios. Mmmmm...nothing like a warm spray of water when you're already sweating like a wrestler, stuck in a half nelson, nearing unconsciousness because you can't breathe.

But, I have to say that most all of the homes in Arizona come equipped with central air conditioning and most all cars have cold a/c, as well. That being said, I'd take the dog days of Arizona any day over the record heat that is pummelling the central U.S. to the Eastern seaboard. Or the crazy tornadoes and hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast on up through the Mid-West. Dave loves the heat and says he'd rather be hot than cold. I'd rather be comfortable but, all things equal, I love Arizona weather.

The lightening and thunderstorms make the skies crackle and boom as if the gods were competing in a bowling tournament of epic proportions. The cloud formations take on the shapes of animals, people and mythical things. The sunsets rival that of any tropical paradise. And the winds blow and blow making the storms rather short and sweet.

So, here's to another balmy day, I think I will enjoy a book in the sauna!

Getmefit2!

Have you ever seen a beautiful thin woman in a restaraunt eating like a horse? Polishing off her food,a proud member of the clean plate club, and then ordering the warm, mouth watering tower of chocolate lava cake with a big glass of of icy cold, whole milk? Of course, you have. If not you've seen the little thin teen waifs in the blossom of their youth pigging out like there's no tomorrow.

I don't begrudge them. Really, I don't. I have never been that way. Ever. I am the first born child of a Hawaiian Dad and a Japanese Mom. They live to feed people. If you don't eat their food, you are insulting. Being young inexperienced parents they did what most first time parents do when their baby is fussy...stick a bottle in the mouth. I weighed like 30 pounds when I was 1. I looked like a baby sumo. I had baby fat until I was 31.

Needless to say, I've battled with weight issues all my life. I've tried just about every diet their is in the universe...low carb, no carb, South Beach, Pritikin, Atkinson, Slim Fast, Weight Watchers, Volumetrics, Paleo, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystems, Cookie Diet, Juicing...you name it...I've probably done it.

None of the above really matters because the bottom line is simply this, "Eat less, move more." So, I'm following my daughter's blog, Getmefit2, and at 53 am back at it again. Yup! And this time with a commitment to train for the Tour de Tucson Century Ride! I'm not going for the pencil thin look. I just want to look and feel healthy.

This will get interesting, so follow the scribblings of a starving scribe...just kidding. I'll be eating, just less.

Where did the time go?

So, it's been almost a year since I posted to this blog. But back from yet another ANWA Writers Retreat, I am inspired, recharged and ready to write.

To say that a lot has happened since my last post would certainly be an understatement. In the next few posts, I will take some time to review the past year's highlights.

August 2010, I was asked by Patti Hulet, outgoing secretary for ANWA, to run for secretry on the ANWA Board. After some arm twisting, I agreed. I talked myself into thinking that I would be just another name on the ballot but I was mortified to learn that I was running against a friend I had made at the retreat, Tiffany Williams. And would I please write a bio for why I would make a good secretary. Can I tell you? I have a weirdocity. I don't like losing. If I lose, it's because you don't like me. Fragile ego or what?! Whatever, here's what I submitted. You can laugh if you want. Just don't point AND laugh...that would be rude.

Deb Eaton is asking for your vote to Secretary in ANWA! Though she cringes at the thought of 'running for office,' (memories of being picked last for kickball), she feels she may have something to offer our wonderful team of women writers.

Aside from her being the mother of 7 children and the grandmother of 10, Deb has been the national V.P of Sale and Marketing for her family owned and operated company. She has also been the Secretary on the board of a national corporation. Deb currently serves as a technical writer for several companies and websites, but her passion is creative writing!

With your supporting vote, she hopes to contribute to the ANWA organization by encouraging more learning opportunities and contacts through live webinar classes by our own talented membership and other outside authors and professionals. From writing skills to social networking, or psychology to time management the ideas for classes and the ways for us to connect via Internet are limitless. Deb would like to see ANWA promote itself more so as to grow its membership, thereby deepening its talent and fostering an atmosphere of creativity and diversity. Finally, as Secretary, Deb promises more chocolate and longer recesses. ;0)

Despite the poor bio, I was barely elected as the secretary for ANWA. Tiffany is a bright, young, outgoing personality, who is a friend to all and she could as easily taken secretary and done a fabulous job. But, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.

I have made wonderful friends with so many women in ANWA not to mention our fantastic presidency; Faith St. Clair, Valerie Ipson, Krista Darrach, Marsha Ward, Cindy Williams and Patti Hulet. I have been inspired by their books, their teachings and their examples of service, love, and dedication to good works. I have the 2011 Writers Conference under my belt, where I met fabulous authors, agents, publishers, and editors.

This experience stretched me as a person while I juggled being mom and nana to a large family, served in my ward Relief Society Presidency, and continued to work in our family business. However, my life has been enriched and I am a better writer for it. Here's to another year in ANWA and much gratitude to those who have made this experience possible!