Today is Memorial Day, which is way, way, WAY more important than whether or not I am losing weight again. (Way.) So I'm just going to give you a quick update on my weight loss journey, and then it will be on to more important matters.
A Quick Update
Yes, I'm pleased to be able to tell you that I'm slowly reversing the trend of my weight re-gain (huzzah!). There's been no magic to it: it's just eating salad, tracking calories, and walking. My next post will be on August 22, and I'm hoping to have even more good news by that time. In the meantime, you can catch up with my weight loss ups and downs by clicking this link.
A Day of Remembrance
Memorial Day is our special day to remember the men and women who have given their lives in service to this great nation. (And yes, although it may be flawed, it is, indeed, a great nation.)
On behalf of the women of The Rockville 8, I'd like to formally extend our thanks for the sacrifices of the few, in service to the welfare of the many. Our gratitude is deep and never-ending.
This summer the ladies of the Rockville 8 have a whole lot of fun planned,
from vacations to new books to a little something, something extra.
J. Keely Thrall:
Vacation: A staycation! Sadly, I’m not headed to RWA Nationals this year, but I *am* looking forward to spending some time at my condo’s pool! And wonder of wonders, I think it will be TWO FULL WEEKS. Aaaah, I can already feel my shoulders dropping from up around my ears as I turn into a boneless sloth...
Book release: Protecting His Own, by Cherise Sinclair, latest in her popular Masters of the Shadowlands series.This is a companion novella to the book Breaking Free, a look into Beth and Nolan's HEA. I'm also on tenterhooks for the next "Beyond" book from writing duo Kit Rocha. This post apocalyptic franchise swept me up in a whirlwind earlier this year and I'm salivating at the thought of getting my hands (and eyes) on the next installment of kinked out fun.
Movie: Star Trek Beyond (or pretty much any geek movie franchise installment. I’m not picky!)
Lagniappe: Earlier this year I submitted a MS to Entangled and received a "revise and resubmit" letter from one of their editors, with a due date of late June. Totally stoked to send it the requested edits and see where it takes me!
Misha Crews:
Vacation: I've been invited to Williamsburg, VA for a week's writing retreat. It's been years (decades?) since I've been to the Williamsburg area, and not only am I looking forward to hanging out with some writing friends and getting some good work done, it will also be fun to get reacquainted with a part of the state that I don't get to visit very often.
Book release: Neil Gaiman's The View from the Cheap Seats, which will be released at the end of May. I've pre-ordered the audio book, which he narrates himself (swoon!). Here's what the publishers say about it: "An enthralling collection of nonfiction pieces on myriad topics–from art and artists to dreams, myths, and memories to comics, films, and literature – observed in award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling Neil Gaiman's probing, amusing, and distinctive style. An inquisitive observer, thoughtful commentator, and assiduous craftsman, Neil Gaiman has long been celebrated for the sharp intellect and startling imagination that informs his fiction." Can't wait!
Movie: Hello, My Name is Doris. (It came out in March, but I missed it in theaters; now eagerly awaiting the dvd.) This movie looks hilarious and heartfelt, and those are two of my favorite things!
Lagniappe: Actually finishing my novel! I've been working on this book for years, and it seems unfair to leave the characters in limbo like that. It will be great to get it done and out into the world, and then get on to the next novel. It's going to be a great summer.
Mackenzie Lucas:
Graduation: My middle son is graduating high school in little over a week. Hoorah!!! I'm looking forward to this in that bitter-sweet way emptying-nest mom's do. Then summer will be all about preparing him for going off to university in August. I'm also looking forward to my own graduation from massage therapy school at the end of August. Yeehaw. Ready to get out there and get my business rolling.
Vacation: Hopefully a family vacation to the Outer Banks in July, if I can get it planned in the midst of the chaos that is my life right now.
Book release:Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis. This is a new series start by Shalvis, set in a coastal town, probably much like her popular Lucky Harbor series. Can't wait to devour this one when it
comes out on June 28th.
Movie: Bad Moms, which comes out July 29th. Looks hilarious. And, oh-so irreverent, and yet strangely applicable from the trailer. Lagniappe: I had to look this one up, because I didn't know what it was ... it's broadly known as "something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure." So, my lagniappe for the summer is looking forward to enjoying the sun and fun one day at a time as it comes, and to writing a new novella set in the Essence world as well as the first book in a new series. As well as enjoying my kids this summer. Guess I've got a lot of lagniappe.
Lisa McQuay: Vacation: Outer Banks. A corner condo with an ocean view and a screened porch with breezes from the front and side. I can't wait to slow down, walk on the beach, read and just plain chill. It's been a hectic 2016 thus far.
Book Release:Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham. I read her historical series, Spies and Lovers, and absolutely loved the books. It's released on May 31, 2016 and I can't wait to try one of her contemporaries.
Movie: Jason Bourne. My husband and I love, love, love the Bourne movies and have watched them over and over. When I told him recently that the "Tires felt a little splashy on the way over here," he knew EXACTLY what I was talking about. I was so excited when I saw the advertisement on TV for the new movie that I ran to the next room where he was to tell him the good news.
Lagniappe: Finish my current Romantic Suspense novel. Get it to the agents who requested it. I'm currently doing a schedule to make that happen.
This past weekend, I had to throw the equivalent of a
wedding reception for an event at my daughter’s school. Suddenly, everyone else
who was on the board had other commitments. It’s not that I had no commitments
but I decided instead of worrying I would step forward. Or, at least I wouldn’t
take one giant step backwards with everyone else.
From Pexels.com
Recently, at another event at my daughter’s school – yes, I
live there these days – a senior made a speech about her future endeavors. She
said instead of saying “no” or “yes, but” she decided that she would say “yes
and.” The words “yes and” leave us open to possibilities. “Yes but” is
basically a form of no. Maybe not a complete 'no' but a wimpy way of saying “I
don’t really want to do this because of this-this-and-this but I will if I have
to.” A “but” in the statement closes doors. An “and” opens you up to
possibilities.
I thought about this in context to the reception I just
planned and executed. It was difficult, scary and hectic. But it turned out
beautifully. I made connections with people I would not have otherwise. I
stretched myself to try new things. But most importantly, I did it. I said “yes
and.”
There’s wisdom in the enthusiasm and energy of the young. It
goes to show you that life lessons are everywhere if you’re really listening.
And remembering the “and” that follows the “yes.”
To all the mothers out there, here's wishing you a wonderful day, week, and year. We celebrate you. All you've done. And all you will do. Often, it's a thankless job. One that requires patience, unconditional love, and lots and lots of sacrifice. So we at the R8, want to take a moment to let you know we appreciate you and value you. May your life be blessed ten-fold for the love and care you've extended to your children and families. Love to all! Thank you for what you do!
