New Year's Resolutions

Well, it's that time of the year yet again. Time to resolve what I will do in 2008. Some years I invest more determination in goals, and some years I don't bother to set any. This year, I am making a list of things I want to accomplish before year end. I've just begun, so I'm sure it will get longer.

Diet - Yeah. It's always on there but has yet to actually happen.
Exercise - Again. Always there...

And my muse has a very long list...lol. I won't bore you with all the details, but suffice it to say she intends to finish everything that is a WIP right now. Oh yeah, and she wants an agent. *sigh* I'd better rest up cause 2008 is going to be a great year! I'll get a better list together and post it later. *grin*

So, what are you resolving?

Christmas Songs

Okay, so what are your favorite Christmas songs?

I tend to hear the same ones every year, but never tire of them. From the serious slower songs like Silent Night to the hilarious ones like My Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer.

I find myself humming Jingle Bells and Rudolph quite a bit during the work day.

How about you?

Seasonal Depression

Okay everyone. I have decided to get serious for a moment and discuss something that lurks around this time of the year. Seasonal depression.

I am doing this blog only because I have lost two people very close to me to suicide; and both of those people took their lives in the last part of December. I'm not going to get weepy, or lecture. I merely want to give people a list of symptoms to look for in your friends and loved ones.

I am not an expert, not am I going to pretend to be. So, if you feel I missed something then by all means post a comment and add it. Together maybe we can help someone that is suffering from this.

Symptoms that most people have: (Some of them, if not all)
1. Depressed Mood
2. Loss of interest in activities they normally find enjoyable
3. Loss of energy; fatigue
4. Feeling of hopelessness or worthlessness
5. Poor concentration
6. Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

The above symptoms are found in many different types of depression, and I strongly encourage anyone to seek professional medical advice if they are something you experience. Seasonal depression reoccurs during specific seasons, and returns each year. Since this is winter, I am only going to list the symptoms common to season affective disorder (SAD):
1. Sleeping more than usual
2. Weight gain
3. Craving for sugar, starchy food, or alcohol
4. Conflicts with other people
5. Heaviness of arms or legs

All of this information is easily locatable on a variety of internet resources. I used emedicinehealth.com.

Please take the time out of your hectic day to pay special attention to your friends, family and loved ones this time of the year. Be there without them having to ask, because I can tell you from personal experience few will.

In today's busy world, it is so easy to overlook those around you. Please do not do that. There are so many factors that feed this insidious problem, but there is help. Do not be afraid to talk to someone or seek assistance.

Hugs to everyone,

Cara

Discovering Forgotten Treasures

Well, I took it upon myself to dust the other day. Those who know me know that I rarely do this task; housekeeping is so not my favorite thing to do. Anyway, it was amazing to me to find all of the books I had on my bookshelves.

Like every other avid reader, there are tons of them. I usually don't keep books around though. I always find a new home for them after I have read them, unless they are from a favorite author.

But, I still managed to find books I had no idea I had. I don't even remember reading them, yet I must have at some point. Some of these were historicals, some contemporary. I guess I have a new TBR pile going now...lol. The authors aren't ones I am familiar with, so I don't know my default whether they are keepers or not.

Has this ever happened to you?

Holiday Cooking

Today's blog is all about the sweet treats I love during the Christmas season. Nothing seems to ring in the holiday better than a great piece of fudge or my grandmother's divinity.

I'm actually going to bite the bullet this year and attempt to make some myself. Now, this may not scare many of you. But those that know me are aware of the fact that I am not a baker at heart.

I couldn't use a thermometer in the kitchen in my life depended on it. I certainly do not know how to do that thing with the ball of stuff in the water to see if it's ready. You know what I mean, right?

See? I'm baking illiterate. Now, I know there are easier recipes out there. I'm sure I'll break down and use one of them. But I truly detest this inept side of myself. I like to be as well rounded as possible, and my inability to function with serious baking has got to go.

I also don't want to forget the way things were. I want to be able to do things the way they were done before the microwave, and before the easy bake creations I love so much. It's tradition, and at this time of the year I want that.

So, if you see a hoard of firemen headed down the highway and you're in my neck of the woods you know it's me. Burning the fudge.

Chat Tonight

I'll be over at RWAOnline tonight chatting about Warrior's Paradise. Linnea Sinclair will be there to talk about her latest release, The Down Home Zombie Blues.

The Live Chat begins at 9:00 EST in RWAOnline's Chat room. I hope to see you there.

www.rwaonlinechapter.org/chat.htm

All you need to do is type a name (whatever you want to use) in Username and hit Login.

Tis The Season To Experiment.....

Okay. Minds out of the gutters. I'm talking about food here people...lol.

I tried something different today. Plain, cultured, organic yogurt. Guess what? I hated it. Yep, that should come as much of a surprise. I happen to like my flavor, thank you very much. I will just stick with my Key Lime Pie yogurt with some granola mixed in and be a happy camper.

But it did make me think. I tend to get stuck in ruts when it comes to my food choices. I eat the same things again and again. It's sometimes hard to pull myself up out of that rut I'm in. But I'm really pretty happy there.

Some people I work with were shocked that I didn't realize The Cheesecake Factory had more than cheesecake. And they were astounded to discover I have never had a Philly Cheesesteak.

Well, I'm in Texas. I don't plan to try one down here. I think I'll wait until I'm a little closer to homebase for that last one.

What about you? Have you tried anything different? Is there anything you refuse to try?

Come Chat with Me Tuesday Dec 4th.

Mark your calendars. I will be in the RRT Chat room getting grilled, as will the phenominally talented Linnea Sinclair.

I will be talking about Warrior's Paradise, and Linnea will be talking about her latest release, The Down Home Zombie Blues.

It's going to be a blast, and you never know what will happen.

www.romrevtoday.com
9:oo P.M. EST
Tuesday, December 4th
Click on RRT Chat on the left side of the screen.

Christmas Shopping Dilemna

What do you buy for the person that has everything? Well, my uncle is exactly like that. He has what he wants, and if he needs anything else I certainly can't see what it is. He has no hobbies to speak of, so that isn't an option.

I used to think shirts were always good. I mean, who wouldn't like more shirts? But years worth of shirts sit unused in his closet. *Sigh* It's just an impossible task.

So, is there anyone on your shopping list that is simly impossible to buy for? What do you get them?