Top Five Gadgets in My World

My Top Five Gadgets

1. The iPhone. It connects me to the world via Tweetdeck, phone, messaging, Facebook, apps like the Weight Watchers Mobile APP and more. I love my iPhone. I can't leave home without it. But then I've always been a phone girl. Love to chat.

2. The Nook Tablet. Man is it nice. The color is outstanding, the ability to access books and the Internet makes being a writer and a reader so much easier. I can change my workshop notes into PDF files and save them to my Nook and read them while I am working out on a treadmill. Perfect gadget.

3. My new Fitbit. This little USB device has made me accountable in fun ways as I workout and continue to work toward my fitness and weight loss goals. I snap it to my bra strap and it calculates every step I take, all the stairs I climb (hills are stairs), all my calories burned, and my fitness level. I love my Fitbit. You can find one here.

4. My laptop. I have a MacBook. Right now it serves as my main computer. Darling Physicist has given me a wireless mouse and keypad to use when I am at home so I can work more efficiently. It is small, travels easily, and best of all it has the amazing Scrivener program for writers on it. This program was made for quilter writers like me. I have my own novel template in it and I love love love utilizing it as I piece together my stories.

5. The MINT floor sweeper/mopper. OMG. This tiny little robot has LIBERATED me. I asked for one for Christmas. It goes places no housekeeper can go. I just turn it on and it happily sweeps and mops my entire house's hardwood and tile floors. If it could dust and clean toilets, I'd marry it! Tonks and Mischief are blown away by the MINT. My floors are cleaned almost daily. They look really good. They make me look like a fantastic housekeeper. I'm not. But why spoil the illusion. If you're curious about the MINT check it out here.


So those are my Top Five Gadgets. What makes your world spin a little better?

Be A Healthy Writer in 2012

I've been working really hard to lose weight I'd gained as a result of a Thyroid malfunction. It hasn't been easy and many of my readers have watched me slowly lose the weight over the course of 6 months. In addition to losing 19 pounds with 11 pounds to shed, I've also increased my fitness levels. I have worked out hard and the results are showing in a firmer and more toned body.

As a writer I am very sedentary because it requires sitting in front of a computer screen, whimpering on occasion, and writing in a fixed position. Sometimes I don't want to leave my fictional world to go to the gym because I'm so involved in the story I'm crafting. Sometimes I am unable to leave my writing to take a full hour or more to workout because I have a deadline to meet. Sometimes I don't want to workout just because I'm feeling lazy. But I do. The greatest challenge for me is when I have a deadline.

No. I am not published yet, but I have deadlines. I enter contests to put myself into that position. I hold myself accountable and treat myself as a published writer because once I am published I will have to meet deadlines all the time. There is no time like the present to hone the skill of meeting a professional deadline.

But I must take care of myself. Here are my strategies for protecting myself from a widening derriere and writer's bloat in 2012 particularly when I am in deadline mode.

*Go to the gym and vary my workouts. I attend Zumba and Pilates classes as well as use the weight machines.
*When in Deadline Mode, force myself to get up every hour and move for 15 minutes. This can be stretching, dancing in front of the TV to a music channel, or doing Max Capacity. You can access Max Capacity here.
*Walk. I've discussed this with a writing buddy. We plan on alternating houses every week and writing together. We'll set the timer for 60 minutes, then when it beeps we will walk for fifteen. We'll talk while we walk.
*Get the Fitbit. You can learn more about the Fitbit here. I plan to walk 10,000 steps a day. This will hold me accountable to remaining fit and strong.
*Pay myself a quarter for every workout. A healthy writer is a strong writer. This all contributes to my writing fund which pays for writing activities.
*Look for unique ways to ramp up my fitness levels by doing Wii Dance Programs and attending different classes which challenge my strength and flexibility.
*Feed my body healthy foods so I can increase my health and brain power.

What are your plans for staying strong and healthy in 2012? Do you have any tips for me? I'd love to learn all about it!