I tell myself this while I’m working out in the morning right after that first school trip, because adding intense workouts on top of walks in humidity you sweat and sweat and sweat.

I tell myself this on the afternoon walk to Destruction’s school, because by then it’s well into the 90s with a heat index and humidity pushing it to 100 or above, and you guessed it, and you sweat and sweat and sweat.

Since the beginning of the summer I’ve dropped 20 of the 30 pounds that snuck on in the last year or so. Mostly I did it by doing a major detox and super strict diet with CIS. I cut out soft drinks, and man do I miss my soft drinks. I cut out sweets, well, until Destruction’s b-day party this last weekend, but those are gone again so sweets are back out. We’ve cut out breads and rices and potatoes and all those starches and carbs that are bad in overabundance. Now, we’ll still use brown rice in some recipes, but not many. And though we’ve finished the official detox, we’re sticking close to the recipes we were eating while on it.

CIS and I have both slowed down on the weight loss, but even with our cheats we haven’t gained back any of what we lost, so this is good news. And now that the temperatures are beginning to chill some (and only some) the time is coming where we can start getting the bikes out again so that’s even more exercise which will help us lose more.

And of course more sweating, which carries the fat out the pores. But you know what else it does? It makes your skin look great. We’re talking a natural facial because your face gets hot, your pores open up, and out come all the impurities. Then the pores shrink again. My skin is looking tighter than it has in a long time despite my regular use of skin care products.

And if you want a simple recipe I’ve eaten a lot of for lunch, try this out. It takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish.

A small serving of shrimp, heated and spiced with a chipotle seasoning. I cook mine in the skillet.
A red or green bell pepper or a tomato diced up. Either heat them with the shrimp or don’t – both ways are good.
A small, wheat tortilla warmed. I place mine over the shrimp in the skillet and let it absorb some of the spice and moisture.
Wrap the shrimp and veggies in it.
Voila, you have a quick, healthy, tasty, and inexpensive lunch.

I know how he did it, but I still loved the act. This guy is classy!

He had some mistakes, which I thought for sure would get him buzzed, but given what happened to him before the performance, I respect him all the more for what he did last night. This guy is the definition of determination! He had me holding my breath the entire time, especially at the end.

This little girl is amazing, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her go on, but I wonder if she’s right for Vegas. Regardless, last night was a tremendous night of talent.

I’ll be back later with the detailed report she’s insisting I file. These FBI types are demanding.

1. The kids are back in school! This is such an awesome thing, I can’t express how happy I am about this. Productivity will once again become my friend.

2. I have my first local booksigning this weekend! I will be signing with Shayla Black at the Barnes & Noble in Lewisville, TX Saturday at 2:00. So excited.

3. My friend Ali will be coming up from Houston for the signing. The tricky part will be keeping the girls off her because after Ali’s last visit they adore her.

4. Did I mention that the kids were back in school and I’ll be more productive during the days? Well, I will also be walking back and forth to get one kid from school, which means exercise and sweating and burning calories which should translate to losing the last few pounds I need to drop.

5. Speaking of losing pounds, this week begins our own version of Family Biggest Loser. My sisters, mom, a family friend, and I are all competing to see who can lose the largest % of body weight by Thanksgiving. I’m looking forward to seeing how this goes for everyone!

6. It’s Destruction’s b-day party this weekend. We’re having it a little early because I will be out of town on her actual birthday. As much as I don’t like the heat, I’m ready for the party and for catching up with some friends I haven’t seen in too long. And maybe Dad can take her to do something fun and special while I’m gone to make sure it’s a good day.

7. I’m looking forward to finishing up the anthology project I am working on with friends Cathryn Fox and Mackenzie McKade. We turned in the proposal, but I want to get the second half written.

8. TV Shows. I’m eager to get caught up on some of my faves waiting in the TiVo for me, and some that will be joining soon. The list includes in part, Haven, Eureka, Dark Blue (WooHoo), Burn Notice, Royal Pains, America’s Got Talent, The Glades (Thanks for hooking me on this one Mel Schroeder) and more I can’t think of at the moment.

9. I’m looking forward to making the cupcakes for the b-day party. I get to play with fondant to make the decoration and I love to bake. The trick will be to not eat the goodies. And I’ll also be making some extras for the booksigning on Saturday.

10. Tomorrow’s Chatty Characters blog is the last thing on my list of things I am looking forward to, at least the last thing I can think of with a post afternoon walk in the heat headache (thankfully it’s going away quickly.) Anyway, on tomorrow’s Chatty Characters blog, Lana Quinn (who we first met in SOUNDS TO DIE BY) has wrangled a tough to get interview with an evil genius villain. Be sure to check it out!

Before I’m through, this could well be the theme song for my current hero. :)

The fun came with a visit from friend and blogger Ali Flores and her cousin Eli. They came up to get some books signed and while here we did a quick lunch and a trip to the Barnes and Noble I’ll be signing at in 2 weekends. WooHoo!! We chatted and hung out and Ali sneaked a few peaks into some hopefully soon to come projects. Eli was an angel and allowed herself to be roped into entertaining Destruction. I can’t wait until Ali comes back on the 28th, and I hope Eli gets to come so we can spend more time talking and less time with her playing with the kids.

On the productive side, I’ve written almost 5k words of a new work in progress. If you want to read about that, check out my blog on The Daily Dose today.

Oh, and on the weight loss front, I’m down 18 pounds and while some of the pants in my closet are still snug I can officially button them all. WooHoo! Just a little more to go for comfort in all the clothes. lol