I was talking to another writer the other day and she said she was applying (along with her good friend) to be a contestant on The Amazing Race. Now I love to travel but it’s not like these contestants get to enjoy the sites they’re seeing. It also seems like it would be extremely stressful.

If I could go on a show, I think I’d like to try:
Is this because I’m a great dancer? Absolutely not. But I’ve seen how people improve on that show. They lose weight, get more toned and graceful. That’s what appeals to me.

How about you? Would it be The Amazing Race or Dancing with the Stars for you? Or is there another reality show you’d rather be on?

I’ll draw a winner from everyone who comments. That lucky person will win a copy of my soon-to-be released book, The Doctor’s Baby.

When you read a book are there particular settings that draw you in?

For myself when I read historicals, I like England and Scotland best. Unless of course it’s a western. India and France…ummm, not so much.

For contemporaries I like small towns and settings more in the midwest than in the south or on the coasts. That’s not to say I won’t read a book set in a different local but they’re not books I’m immediately drawn to…

How about you? What settings do you prefer? Or, does it even matter?

BTW, I just received my author copies of my The Doctor’s Baby, my new book that will out in April.

I’ll draw a winner from everyone who comments and that person will win a copy!

And…big announcement…I’ve just had my website revised. If you’ve got a minute, go to www.cindykirk and check it out. Let me know what you think!

Last night, for the first time I spent some time watching the Winter Olympics. I saw the Super G downhill and some ice dancing. We don’t have cable or satellite and there was nothing else on television. That’s why I watched the events.

That attitude is a far cry from the the last Summer Olympics. I watched those events All. The. Time. Perhaps I just like the summer sports more than the winter ones. I also think the Summer Olympic coverage was more…interesting.

I’d like to know your thoughts. Are you enjoying the Olympics this year? Have you watched any of the events?

As some of you know, I’ve been fighting bronchitis and a sinus infection for almost two weeks. I’ve continued to work and I’ve discovered something…it seems like everyone I interact with has this crud or knows someone who has it.

In my day job I talk to a lot of people on the phone. When they hear my voice (which doesn’t sound normal–this makes sense to me since I don’t sound normal. My one ear is plugged and I feel like I’m talking into a tunnel)…they always make some comment..or they sound funky so I make some comment. Before you know it we’re talking about everything from the high price of antibiotics to doctors.

This reminds me of other times in our life that we have an instant bond with people. Like when you’re dating–people want to exchange dating horror stories, When you’re engaged, they want to talk about wedding plans and wedding horror stories. Then when you’re pregnant… well, you get the picture.

I’d be interested in knowing what kind of stories you’ve been exchanging recently with the people in your life. If not, I could tell you about my $75 copay on my second antibiotic (only ten pills)

I went to the doctor yesterday and found out I have a sinus infection and bronchitis (for sure), pneumonia (possibly).

I don’t have a creative thought in my stuffed, fever-ridden head.

So, I thought I’d give YOU the opportunity to write a blog (on anything).

My favorite blog will win some free books. I have a lot of new books hanging around that I’d be happy to share. So….blog away. And much thanks!

I was at a writing workshop a while ago where a woman (an unpublished writer) stood up and asked an editor on the panel why they don’t buy books with regular guys as the hero. When they asked her to clarify, she said “you know, men who have a few pounds to lose or those without a full head of hair.”

The editor’s answer–women look to romance novels to give them a fantasy, an escape. Most of them want the handsome hero not the average guy next door.

I know some authors have their heroes be not quite handsome…maybe his features are more rugged rather than chistled. Maybe he broke his nose as a kid so it’s not quite straight. Those guys I can handle. But an overweight, balding one…ummm not so much.

How about you? Do you like the heroes in the books you read to be good-looking? Or doesn’t it really matter?

I’m ending week 3 on my healthy eating/exercise program and, last night while on the treadmill, I realized what I’ve done differently this time. I’m realistic.

Initially when I began I wanted to do 90 minutes on the treadmill. But it quickly became apparent that 90 minutes wasn’t going to work. In fact I had to really plan to get in 60 minutes. So I reset my goal to 60 minutes. Although it was still stretching me to get that amount of time in every day it was something I “could” make work and feel successful. I didn’t do 30 or 45 minutes because that would have been too easy. Now I’m focusing on increasing the speed at which I walk during that hour.

When I started I also looked at what was one thing I didn’t want to give up…and it was a certain lunch that I have every week with my friend. It would be very hard to fit the number of calories (almost 1,000) into my daily 1560 and still get my five fruits and vegetables and 2 milk products. So I decided that on that one day, I would give myself permission to go over my points total. I usually end up going over by about 350-500 calories. But it’s planned and I feel good about it. I don’t feel like I’ve “cheated” because I’m not. It’s part of my own “program.”

So, what’s different this time? Why am I doing so much better and feeling satisfied? Because I’m being realistic about my goals. And this time I’m going to be successful!

How about you? Do you have some goals that you’re focusing on?

When I went to have my hair cut and high-lighted this time I found myself tempted to tell my stylist to do something wild and crazy. Perhaps color it red…cut it in a different way…just do whatever she wanted.

In the end, I didn’t. Because the only time I told a hairdresser to do something different, I ended up with dark, dark brown hair (when my hair was normally dark blonde). My boyfriend called me Elvira and people just stared when they saw me. Is it any wonder I’m not more adventurous?

How about you? Do you have a “hair” adventure that you’d like to share?

And do you think I should do it…tell my stylist to just do something very different? Or shall I continue to play it safe?

I know some great people who don’t particularly care for animals.

Okay, now that we have that out of the way, I have to say that I could never date or marry someone who wasn’t a big animal lover. My husband and I both love animals. We currently have four–two dogs and two cats. We didn’t go out looking for any of them. They came looking for us.

The shih tzu had been our daughter’s dog. But he got into a fight with her other dog and his eye popped out. That eye is now back in place, but blind. The vet said he couldn’t go home because he was at higher risk for it to happen again.

The blue heeler was a stray that someone dumped in the country and found his way to our home.

Our female cat had been placed in a dumpster on a hot summer day when she was only four weeks old. A friend rescued her and asked if we’d take her. (When you live in the country, everyone wants to give you their animals)

Our most recent addition, a male kitty who escaped from a neighbor’s farm. He came to us with ear mites, worms, and a serious eye infection.

No, we didn’t want four animals…one or two would have been okay…but these are not animals that would have been easily adoptible….and we couldn’t turn them away.

I am so grateful that my husband and I are on the same page concerning their care. Money isn’t an object if they need something.

I’m curious, could you date a man who didn’t like animals?

I accept that a lot of people don’t believe in making New Year’s resolutions but I’ve always been a fan of them. In fact, I think we should make resolutions throughout the year. Especially if they are the kind where we’re trying to better ourself.

You know what I mean….lose weight, eat nutritiously, do a random act of kindness every day, exercise every day, make more time for family.

This year I made the same resolution that I make every year…I want to eat more nutritiously. Even though I don’t always keep that resolution, I think by making it I do better than if I don’t even try.

What about you? Do you make resolutions? Only at the first of the new year? Or at other times as well?