Would Annie Buy It?

I should get some little rubber bracelets made with WABI on them. Would Annie Buy It? Or WWAB. What Would Annie Buy?

Here's the first of a little experiment in my blog for The Clarion-Ledger, The Mom Zone, in which I test out a new product and tell you what it's like, and more importantly, would I go buy it again. Because I am sort of picky and a bit of a tightwad at times.

This first time, I tested out McCormick's Slow Cookers mixes. Specifically the one for Fiesta Chicken, shown here. (Spoiler alert: I think it looks pretty yummy here, and it was.)

The link to the full report in The Mom Zone is here:

The Mom Zone - Would Annie Buy It?

More running, followed by some writing

I am thinking that writing on the side, just for me, is sort of addictive.

I've gotten a book off to the publisher this week, but I don't want to get out of what I hope is a good habit, writing outside of work, because I know how it is to get into a good habit only to drop it. Starting over again is awful.

I think I may have done that with running, because I wasn't running as much after I started "Because I Said So: Life in The Mom Zone." It's not like I was a marathoner, but I was running three or four days a week, somewhere between three and six miles usually, running until I needed to breathe. Then I got into the writing mode, and then I was thinking I should knock out the work first before running. Then time would fly and it would be time to do other things, like parent my children, cook dinner or whatever. So running would just be a nonentity that day.

Now that I proved to myself I could at least finish a manuscript and get it to my publisher, Sartoris Literary Group, I should work more movement back in my days.

For five to 10 reasons, the last time I stepped on the scales. Seriously, I need to burn some calories. The freaking holidays are coming. I can't start the holiday season with five to 10 more pounds than I want.

And I like to run. To nonrunners, that sounds crazy. And it is if you never run more than a mile, because the first mile is just horrible. But after that first mile, it is fun. The endorphins come out to play, I'm in a happy mood, my skin gets all glowing (or maybe that's sweat), there's trees and birds to enjoy on the trails, I see other runners and dodge some cyclists. It's really a fun thing. I promise.

Also, my family members never die of cancer. Heart disease takes us out way before cancer can get a foothold. So cardio is good for my ticker. I plan to be around a while, so I am thinking that running, along with pitching our Fry Daddy like I did, is a good move.

And I like to eat. I am terrible with math, so don't even talk to me about counting calories.  I also like to have a beer on occasion. Running will let you eat and drink and still fit into your clothes.

It's all about balance. In my off time, I like to read, run and write. I have been heavier on the reading and writing than the running the past five months, which coincidentally, were hot as fish grease. Writing with the air on was glorious.

Anyhow, I am saving for a new pair of running shoes and plan to run some, write some and read some this weekend. Running will happen first.

Getting out of debt, without worry

I've had all kinds of thoughts, wishes and desires for getting out of debt. It's pretty hard to avoid some debt, though. Student loans, car payments, home repairs, medical bills. You name it, and we've probably either had it (past tense) or are paying it off as quickly as we can.

Right now, I am focusing on preparing to send my two younger children to college in a few years, so that means getting debts down. Fewer bills mean more money free to save/invest/pay to the college of their choice.

The Gentleman Friend, knowing this and being a sweet man, sent me this article on why people remain in debt. It's worth a read. 

Three things keeping you in debt

I know that I have done all three of these ... being afraid to look at bills, not asking for help in creating a plan for our finances, and beating myself up for debt.

My current philosophy is not to dwell on debt but to be thankful for what we have. I try not to worry, and I have my moments, but looking at your money with a plan instead of feeling bewildered will take care of most of your fretting.

I am steadily paying debts down. I'm reminding myself that our college expenses (tuition, books, housing, etc.) have resulted in two bachelor's degrees, a master's and, by May, another master's. Our car notes (two currently) are not always fun to pay, but both our cars are in good shape and reliable. Every house payment means it is closer to being mine than being the bank's.You get the idea.

Another thing that's an improvement for us is planning for down the road. Instead of seeing college down the road and panicking, be proactive. Know the expense is coming, but instead of worrying, take steps to be ready.

There's no such thing as bad cheesecake

Really, it is true. I don't think I have ever had a piece of bad cheesecake, and I have had homemade with a luscious pumpkin filling and snappy gingersnap crust, the mix kind out of the box at the supermarket, the kind from the freezer, mini cheesecakes and cheesecake bites.

In just a bit, I am heading to the store to pick up some cheesecake because I have a Make A Difference Day meeting. We're planning an awesome project at Mission First in Jackson for Saturday, Oct. 26. Here's the info on it:

Mission First project

So anyhow, our team started joking about whether there was going to be cheesecake there at the meeting. But I never joke about some things, and cheesecake is one of them.

One of my sweetest cheesecake memories was when my second Dear Son and his Dear Brother and Dear Sister decorated a huge multi-flavored platter of cheesecake with birthday candles and surprised me on my day! It was practically on fire and setting off the smoke detectors because I am slightly over 29, but it was wonderful. I have the best children ever.

So we've got a couple of weeks until our project, but you can help now by making a donation of supplies for Mission First (detailed on the link), or make your own project for a favorite cause and register it on the website linked above, as one project will win $10,000 from Newman's Own. Someone's got to win -- why not your favorite charity?

We can't do good on an empty stomach, so I am off looking for cheesecake.

Stick a fork in it ... sort of

Well, writing-palooza happened this weekend, and I am happy to say that I emailed a manuscript for "Because I Said So: Life in The Mom Zone" to my publisher, James Dickerson at Sartoris Literary Group, Monday.

Stick a fork in it, because it is done. Well, not really. Now it gets edited. Editing is what I do as a day job, and it's just as much fun as it sounds. Take that any way you want to take it.

Personally, I like editing, because a good editor will save you from yourself. I have other editors read what I write at The Clarion-Ledger, and they make me look good. They catch stupid things that I do, and guess what. We all do stupid things, and we overlook them because they are our stupid things. Other people's stupid things stick out, but not ours.

Good writers like a good editing. Bad writers think their words were etched in stone by the hand of God. I want to be a good writer, so I am hoping Jim reads my ramblings with a sharp set of eyes and ruthlessly saves me from being stupid.

If not being stupid is one challenge for a writer, having a life is another. Before I typed the first word of "Because I Said So," I decided that if writing a book meant time away from my children or my Gentleman Friend, then it wasn't going to happen. I love them, I am blessed to have them in my life, and time with them is precious. So writing for me means getting up early or writing on the mornings of my days off.

I also see my off time as precious, as it is my time to recharge and rejuvenate, so I have to save some of it for me. If I don't take care of me, then I am not as good a friend, coworker, mother, girlfriend, etc. No book is worth giving that up.

Instead, writing is about carving out time, focusing and being consistent, week after week.

However, there's wiggle room. My Gentleman Friend and I got some quality time together Sunday, and Monday, the kiddos wanted to go to the fair. My gig at The Clarion-Ledger required an appearance at the company's tent there. So the writing happened Saturday morning and Monday morning and afternoon, and lo and behold, I hit the point where I was done.

And then I hit the fair, ate funnel cakes and catfish and got busy on job 1, being my kids' mom. Life is good.