I've moved!

This blog is now at www.inthedailies.wordpress.com. You can also find me at www.TanyaDennisBooks.com. Don't worry - all my posts and all your wonderful comments have been copied to the new site too. See you there!

A retraction (of sorts)

A number of people emailed and commented about my post of inauguration thoughts. I'd like to respond and prevent any further distortions or conclusions based on what I wrote.

I'll not take back what I said because, as I stated in the first paragraph, those were uncensored thoughts, an honest stream of consciousness. Politics are tricky, and everyone involved is passionate. That often leaves independents, like me, battling both sides.

I am not proclaiming blind support of President Obama. We differ on some very key issues which I will continue to follow and guard. Neither am I proclaiming blind support of President Bush. We also differed on some very key issues. While I am not at all happy with Obama's position on abortion, I am glad to see someone new in the White House. I believe our nation needs change. I will not like all of the change, I'm sure. Already changes have been made that trouble me. But Obama is our President and, as I stated on Tuesday, that position is ordained by God and requires our respect (Romans 13:1).

One clarification I do need to make. I wrote: "I understand [Obama] writes his own speeches." First, I did not say my understanding was absolute truth, only that this was what I understood to be true. Secondly, I have since researched this further (at the encouragement of you, dear readers) and found that Obama does indeed write many of his own speeches, just not all of them and not all alone. He wrote his first book, Dreams From My Father, entirely on his own. Since becoming a more public figure with greater responsibilities, he has employed a team of writers who helped him write his second book and a number of his speeches since. The White House gives credit for the Inauguration Speech to President Obama, though I'm sure this is mostly because he delivered it.

Here are some links to interesting articles about this topic. The first two talk about Obama and other presidents who were also writers. The second two dive into the relationship between Obama and his chief speech writer, Jon Favreau. All four articles are quite fascinating.

• How Obama Writes His Speeches, Time Magazine, 28 Aug 08


• All the Presidents' Literature, The Wall Street Journal, 10 Jan 2009


• Obama inauguration: Words of history ... crafted by 27-year-old in Starbucks, The Guardian, 20 Jan 2009


• What Would Obama Say?, New York Times, 20 Jan 2008

Book Blog Tour: The Baby Fat Diet

It's time. My "baby" is three and a half years old, and while I have a dear friend who still blames her twenty-three-year-old daughter for five extra pounds, I think that there must be a statute of limitations on pregnancy weight. Sadly, I think my excuses expired a while back.

I want to tell you about this book, but before I do, let me share a little about my story. (I hate diets, so I feel the need to explain why I'm promoting one.)

I was either pregnant or nursing for three years straight. My weight boomeranged over fifty pounds more than once. My poor scale never knew what to expect, and now here I am, almost six years after this journey began and still 30 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight. I know I'll never get back to wedding weight. I'm not aiming for that, but I would like to be rid of my muffin top hips and sausage-like thighs.

I have tried! I did a week on Atkins (only to annoy everyone with my whining and complaining); I tried the South Beach Diet for two months, but only lost my appetite (thanks to bland, unimaginative food). I tried a gym, but quickly realized I don't like public nor shared torture. I bought a pilates machine to work out at home, but have yet to be consistent in using it. Oh, and I've bought plenty of other diet cookbooks, but with a husband who can instantly tell the difference between whole wheat pasta and regular, whole fat cheese and part-skim, none of the cookbooks stuck around for long. I don't have the time nor energy to make multiple entrees for each meal, so if Rick doesn't like it, it doesn't return to our table.

Now, a new part of the story. I received The Baby Fat Diet through The Blog Tour Spot and decided to implement a few of the strategies even before finishing the book. I lost 3 pounds in one week. I know three pounds doesn't sound like a lot, but it is the first time in a long time that my weight has gone down and stayed down. Weight fluctuates from day to day, but this decrease, while just a start, has remained.

So, what's in the book? Who wrote it and what's it about?

Monica Bearden and Shara Aaron, both moms, both registered dieticians, wrote the book together. They understand the hectic schedules of moms and they understand the need for regular doses of chocolate. Isn't that great?

Great information floods this book. I can't possibly cover it all; you'll have to grab your own copy, but here are a few of my favorite inclusions.

• When to buy organic vs. when the label is more expensive than it's worth
• The difference between hunger and appetite, knowing when to eat
• Portion control, knowing how much to eat
• How to tell a fad diet from an authentic, healthy diet
• How to read labels and know what you're really getting
• How to tell real health foods from "healthy" marketing tricks
• Tips for maintaining a balanced diet
• Ways to excercise with little ones under foot

There really is a ton of great stuff in here! From BMI charts and calorie suggestions to recipes, shopping lists, menus and more.

Like I said, I didn't follow all the suggestions. I haven't even finished reading the book, but what I have read makes tremendous sense and fits into my life. I can't reconfigure my life around a weight-loss program, but I can control my portions. I can choose a healthy, delicious snack instead of a bag of chips. I can eat slower. I can dance with the kids and run around instead of popping in a video. These are easy steps. They're small steps. And they're making a difference.

Click here to purchase the book through Amazon.

You can visit the authors' blog to find more tips and recipes. Also, click on the links below to visit other blogs on the tour this week. See what they have to say about it.

5 Minutes for Books
A Little Whine and Cheese
A Peek at My Bookshelf
Be Your Best Mom
Behind the Mountain
Blog Tour Spot
Bookish Mom Reviews
Camy’s Loft
Fictionary
Fit Family
i don’t believe in grammar
In God’s Image
In the Dailies
Kells Creative Musings
Lighthouse Academy
Mommy Snacks.Net
Mommy’s Must Haves
Momopoly
Quiverfullfamily.com
Real Women Scrap
Refresh My Soul
Roni’s Weigh
The Journey of Writer Danica Favorite
The Law, Books and Life
The Pitter Patter of Losing Pounds
The Sassy Pear
The Unadorned Book Review
wandering, wonderings of a whacked-out woman

Ruthie, my sweet Ruthie

If you missed yesterday’s early post, you may not realize Ruthie is my laptop. You know, “where you go, I will go …” She’s been by my side faithfully for more than two years, but lately she’s not been feeling too well. What is the lifespan of a laptop?

The good news: Rick was able to revive her last night! She was up and running beautifully just long enough for me to back up all my stuff on Rick’s fortress in the basement and, just to be very thorough, on disk. She got stuck on a prompt just before bed, so I left her on overnight to finish the copying of files. This morning, she re-entered her coma.

I’m so sad! I’ve been joking for sometime that when she dies I’ll get mac. Have you heard of Scrivener? Well, it looks like a super cool - like really super cool! - writing program. It, however, only works on macs. So it’s been this running joke that I’ll quickly replace her with something newer and better, but now I just feel awful. Like a sleezy spouse reveling in a blatant affair. And my sweet Ruthie never knew how much I appreciate her, how much I adore her, how I couldn’t have done all this without her and …

Yes, I know it’s just a computer. But she's my computer! The first one that has ever been all mine. Rick gave her to me after my first article was published. It's symbolic of his faith in me, that he thinks I can do anything as long as I have the right tools. Isn't he great? I love him.

Believe it or not, when I started this post, my purpose was not to stage a memorial service. Really. Now that that’s done, I can tell you: I’m still here! Ruthie may be on her last leg and quite unpredictable in her reliability, but I’ve got a lot coming up for you this week. Stay tuned! I shall brave the frigid basement and re-write posts all for you, my friends.

I’m participating in a book blog tour this week; I hope to have the post up later today or tomorrow. Also, I want to rehash Christmas a bit (with pictures!) and share some Sunday Morning Leftovers. You don’t want to miss it. So, even if I’m erratic in my posting, stick around.

Inauguration Thoughts

More often than not I script my life. I think about what I'll say long before I say it. Usually this is a good habit, but sometimes it leaves me saying nothing. I worry too much about what others will think of me or my thoughts. This paralyzes my tongue and magnifies my timidity.

Today was an historic day! I was brought to tears while watching the ceremonies. We have come a long, long way in a very short time. However, keeping with my typical approach to politics, I've said nothing. There is much going on in my head, much I want to verbalize. So here it is, my uncensored thoughts about today's inauguration.

President Obama is extremely eloquent. I understand he writes his own speeches. I find this impressive and admirable. In fact, this elevates my respect for him. He appears to be a brilliant man with lofty ambitions for our nation. I'm glad. Our nation needs someone who exudes strength, confidence and integrity. I see these in our new President. While I do not agree with all of his positions (abortion being the greatest dissidence), I believe he will serve our nation well. I hope and pray he will.

We stand at a precipice with a vast unknown before us. Change is coming, and I don't know what form it will take. It's a little scary, but it's also exciting. I can rejoice today because whether or not I voted for this man, God chose him to lead our country. God sets all the kings and rulers in their place. I know our Creator is in control; I know my Savior reigns and He will have His way.

I was impressed with the send-off given to President Bush. Again, I don't agree with everything he did or said, but God put him in this position for the time he held it. He served our country for eight long years and he deserves our respect. I am proud of President and First Lady Obama for sending off the Bushes in such an honorable way.

The commentator said this is the first time in history a newly elected president has escorted the retiring presidential family to their way home. The first time in forty-four presidents? How can that be? Perhaps it's directly related to Laura Bush's preparation for this transition. I read she mobilized the residential staff toward this move last spring. They started moving boxes of personal things out of the White House and Camp David last summer. By today all that remained of their belongings were two small suitcases.

Regardless of why it's never been done before, I was happy to see it done today. It showed great respect in front of a nation who has not respected President George W. Bush. Whether or not his actions deem respect, his position does. I'm sad to admit too many of us have failed in that arena, especially over the last few years.

Much was said and speculated about Rick Warren's presence and prayer. I think he did a great job.

I was surprised how frequently President Obama mentioned God in his speech. Surprised and delighted.

I am praying for our new President. I am praying for our government and our nation. I hope you are doing the same.

Mama Loves, a condensed version

Normally Tuesday mornings start with Mama Loves, an exercise in gratitude and positive perspective. This week, however, my planned post is postponed.

My laptop in on the fritz. Yes, I believe my beautiful Ruthie, whom I love and can’t live without, is dying. She has gone everywhere with me for two years and now, sadly, I think she’s worn out. Why does this affect Mama Loves? Well, all my stuff is on that laptop (my graphics, pictures, programs, writing stuff*) and I can’t access it until I can wake her up, so that puts me on The Man’s computer, a viable substitution, but just not the same.

The positive side of this situation? Hmmm … I’ll likely waste less time today. I may need to get a new laptop soon. That’s kind of cool … expensive, but cool. And I get to play around with the hubby’s computer fortress. Who knows what fun stuff I’ll find here in the frigid corner of this basement? I’ll probably get to play my guitar today! That’s definitely cool.

Mama loves challenges. Mama loves surprises. Mama loves that God is always in control.

* Don’t worry: I have backups of all my book proposals, manuscripts, outlines and notes. I just haven’t backed up my other stuff. Can you guess what I’ll work on as soon as Ruthie comes out of this coma?

Update on the move

Hey! I'm so excited my move to wordpress is almost finished. You can actually visit there now by going to this address: www.inthedailies.wordpress.com.

You'll notice the site is a little different ... different colors, different menu, different pages ... but it's still just me. I've moved most of my posts over there, so you won't miss a thing! I'm still trying to figure out how to transfer a couple things like my bookshelf and community memberships. In the meantime, I'm thrilled to finally have an updated "Writing" page and a better "Contact" page over there. Also, I like the header showing the sites title and not my name. No one cares about me anyway; we're here to glorify God - right? I want to focus to be on Him, not me. I'm just a tool.

Anywho, you can find me here and there. I'll post identical stuff on both sites until the move is complete and my domain (www.TanyaDennisBooks.com) is transferred. Thanks for your patience!!

Comment me some love. Let me know what you think of the new design!

Fabulous

I love that word. Taryn recently gave me a "Fabulous Award." (By the way, her blog is protected for privacy, so you may or may not get there through that link.) I've known Taryn since third grade. Is that twenty-five years? Oh, my. To avoid further dating myself, I'll simply say that I am very honored and humbled to receive this from such a wonderful person. I may have to step it up a bit to prove myself and this blog worthy.

As with most of these awards, this one comes with requirements. I don't like requirements. This one says I must "award 5 others and also list 5 addictions" I have. I'll comply with the addictions.

1. God. (I can't get enough of Him! I'm not talking about reading the Bible incessantly, though reading Scripture is a manifestation of this addiction, but simply discovering God in creation, in life situations, in my children ... all around me. I am addicted to finding Him in unexpected places.)
2. Relationships. (This includes God, Rick, my kids, my extended families and my friends. I shrivel without interaction with each and every one of these every single day.)
3. Reading.
4. Starbucks.
5. My computer. (I need it! For writing, email, research, games, social interaction, an adult vocabulary and more.)



Just for good keeping, I'll throw in an extra.



6. Williams-Sonoma. (I LOVE kitchen gadgets and am totally obsessed with cakelet pans lately. They're so cool!)

I know I'm supposed to tag others, but I'm not going to. My rebellious nature surfaces here.

In line with #5 (my addiction to the computer), I've recently joined twitter. (If you want to "follow" me, click here.) Probably not the best idea since I already spend too much time online. The good news: I've found a ton of super cool blogs! Well, that's kind of good news except that now I spend even more time online following all these people and reading all their great posts.

So, instead of passing on this award, I'm going to list some of my new favorite blogs. All of these I've visited before on different occassions, but lately I've realized how consistently they excel and how much I look forward to what they'll write next.

• Callapidder Days
• Red Letter Believers
• Seedlings in Stone

Enjoy!

Whether we like it or not

It is officially cold.

Five years ago (while pregnant with Ellie) I started storing water bottles and snacks in the car, you know, to prevent dehydration and insatiable hunger attacks that can strike while in NYC traffic. This habit continues today. This morning I found all four of my water bottles completely frozen. My nut bar shattered like glass. Of course, that was after taking a hammer to it because I wouldn't dare inflict that punishment on my teeth.

Other signs of winter? Ellie finally stopped asking to wear sundresses and sandals to school and Zach has a new meaning for "aggrieve."

"Mama, what aggrieve is it outside?"

"Twelve degrees, baby."

Yes, after dropping Ellie off at school, doing some grocery shopping and driving home, it was still only "twelve aggrieves" outside. Can we say "BRRRRRRRR!!!" (Yes, I know there should be a question mark there, but don't you think the exclamations are more important?)

On a related winter note, do you remember the whether/weather rhyme? I tried teaching it to the kids this week, not an easy task since Ellie still suffers from a speech impediment. It sounded something like this:

"Wheffvuh duh whatevuh is cold,
wheffvuh duh wheffvuh is hot,
Whatevuh duh wheffvuh, we'll wheffvuh duh wheffvuh,
wheffvuh we like it oh not!"

Quite the tongue twister when you can't pronounce the "-th" sound. I'll have to see if I can get it on video for you. It's pretty entertaining.

Works (and doesn't) For Me Wednesday

Don't you love tips? Works For Me Wednesday (hosted by Rocks in my Dryer) is a weekly carnival devoted to the fun little tricks and tips that make life easier, more organized or simply more fun. I seldom participate, but I love reading through all the entries. This week I actually have two tips to offer!

Stuck Votives: I adore candles. I use them all the time, almost on a daily basis. What do you do after you've burned through a votive? You're stuck with the little, round metal wick stand and residual wax around the base of your holder. How do you get it out?

Stick in the freezer. After an hour or so, take them out and turn them upside down. The leftover candle will pop right out. I'm sure there's some scientific explanation of how temperature causes molecules to condense or something like that. All I know is it works.

Too Much Salt: I learned this from a friend last week (who happened to be quoting Martha Stewart). If you add too much salt to a recipe, you can fix the problem by dropping in a piece of potato. The potato will absorb the excess salt. Problem solved! Once your recipe is back to a preferred taste, remove the salt-sponge potato and discard.

Now I want to hear from you. Anyone got tips on making kids move faster? We have not been on time to school since snow descended on our state. I've tried waking up earlier, bribery, coersion, faster breakfasts, packing bags the night before ... you name it! None of it works for me. This morning I even tried (idle) threats of "If you don't hurry, you'll have to go to school with no socks and shoes!" That didn't faze them either. I cannot get my children to move quickly in the mornings and I would LOVE to know what tips y'all have for me.