Facebook blog

Xlibris, my publisher, set up a blog on facebook.  aalleman80107.

Back to fitness....I hope

The past couple of months have been more than hectic with getting the book published and working in the shop.  I'm afraid the thing that suffered the most was getting to the gym.  No real harm done, though, and now getting back into the routine.  Of course, I'm writing the sequel to the first book and still have the shop but I know I just have to pace myself and remember what is most important.   If you're not healthy nothing else matters!

Exciting Book News

The book, Currents Deep and Deadly, is published.   I can't believe it.  The press release is out to the media and in December, the book will be featured in the NY Times Sunday Book Review Magazine and in Publishers Weekly.  We will have a book signing event at The Barn in October and I'll keep you posted about the details.  I'd love to get your reactions to the excerpts on the website at http://www.currentsdeepanddeadly,com/   and this blog set up by the publisher, Xlibris.  http://aalleman80107.wordpress.com/  

Wow! Has it really been that long?

I haven't been blogging, tweeting, or getting out much for the past six months, except to work on the shop and the book.  Well, yipee, the book went to the publisher.  It is called Currents Deep and Deadly and will eventually be offered for sale on on-line booksellers sites and my websight.  It's my first attempt at writing a novel but I'm already working on the sequel.  Just as a tease, here is a short description of the novel that will hopefully be out in September.

In three intertwining chronicles blended into one fast paced journey, Darcy Farthing offers tidbits of history and geography from her travel log of South American seaports, spins a tale of murder and madness aboard a cruise ship, and reveals her own devastating but enlightening personal crises.  Through a series of unbelievable coincidences, she meets the man who could be her soul mate, battles a psychotic shipboard killer, and runs headlong into her carefully hidden past.  The wondrous and terrifying events of this month long adventure meld together in ways that threaten to destroy her entire belief system...and her life.

A Fitness Resolution stll good for 2011

We had a conversation with the owner of our gym about the huge number of new members they always get in January.  People have great intentions to turn over a new leaf and lose weight or just get healthier.  Unfortunately, it is typical that most of these members fade out of the picture by Spring.  Why?  More than likely, these folks were not really committed to their self-improvement.  It is one thing to know what we should do, and quite another to completely internalize it and make fitness our top priority FOR LIFE.

This seems surprising in a way, because the feeling--the high, if you will--that comes with being in shape, looking good, and knowing that for the most part we are putting healthy fuel into our bodies, is incomparable.  So, what to do?  Let us know your ideas for turning a fitness resolution into actual life change. 

We also have to renew our committment each year as we look forward to, and prepare to embrace, the changes that will inevitably take place in our lives.

The Barn Shops Are Blogging

Our 20 shops at The Barn in Castle Rock now have a blog too.  We'll be posting events as well as stories about the shops and about our shop owners.  So, in additon to the website, http://www.thebarncastlerock.com/, you can get all the information you want, not to mention we twitter @TheBarnAntiques.

Meanwhile, the thaw is starting and we are hoping to solve our frozen pipe problems.  But, first things first.  I'm off to The Barn to check the shop, then to the gym to work out.  Don't know about you but I tend to eat a lot more when it's cold.  However, did you know that shivering is a great calorie burner--that is why you need to eat more--and this presents a weight loss opportunity.  Maybe I'll resist turning on the heat in the car a little longer this morning to capitalize on the shivering effect and to offset the cookies I plan to make and undoubtedly eat this afternoon.

Positive Self Image or Vanity?

You know, I got to thinking about why some people have a more difficult time than others developing and then maintaining an eating and exercise lifestyle that will keep them fit for life.  I wonder if being on the vain side--really needing to look good in order to be comfortable--is a key.  Maybe we need to be a little vain in order to make the small sacrifices necessary to stay look'n good.  At least we need to put ourselves near the top of our prioriy list.  We need to try to take the time to exercise and prepare and eat healthy, rather than constantly grabbing easy but fattening and low nutrition snacks.  And this needs to happen despite job, kids, house, and other demands on our time.  After all, in the long run we might be around and be productive longer if we make the necessary commitment now.