Home is Where the Love is.

I'm sitting at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario waiting to catch the last leg back to Red Deer, Alberta - the place I currently call home.  My son and I are on our way there after spending the last eleven days in St. John's, Newfoundland - the place of our birth.  I left that city with my son when he was only one year old; he's now fourteen.  Of course, he doesn't remember much of the place, but to anyone I know who's visited St. John's - stranger or former resident- that old, old city just feels familiar.  There's a warmth and friendliness that satisfies that needs to feel belonged in each of us. I think my son is no exception.

Even though sad circumstances were the catalyst that brought us back to Newfoundland - I brought my mother back there to be laid to rest - the results of this trip were immeasurably precious to both of us.  We had the blessing of seeing numerous friends and relatives whom, I am ashamed to say, I've let slip slowly from my life over the years.  Promises have been made by all that this will not happen again, and after gaining a new appreciation and respect for them, that is one promise I intend to keep. After being estranged from my father for the last four years, my mother's illness and subsequent death brought us all back together.  Staying with and getting to catch up with my father was very cathartic to both my son and I.  Not having his grandmother anymore, knowing he now has a grandfather he can rely on to be there is priceless.  There was nothing I wanted more for my son than to have that.  It's kinda nice for me to have him back in my life, too [understatement].

BUT...eleven days away from my husband, my stepchildren, my house and our pets is almost more than I can take.  To listen to my husband and I on the phone, or to read our texts this past week, I'm sure you would swear we were two hyper-hormoned teenagers.  I've been in Alberta for thirteen years.  There is no place like the comfort of your own bed, the routine of your own household, the loving embrace of your partner in live, and the gift of watching your children grow; and all of this is in Alberta. My heart is torn; I've caught myself saying two recurring sentences while in Newfoundland: "I'm home from Alberta" and "When I go home to Alberta".  Home really is where the love is.

I'll talk to you later,

Kelly

A Little Too Ambitious, I Guess.

Well, it is the second Monday after the start of my Blogger's Health Challenge...the Monday that I am supposed to make a draw from the names of the participants's who posted their progress yesterday, Sunday, for a reward.  The response has been underwhelming, to say the least; there hasn't been any posts from my three fellow participants [insert tear stains here]. So, not being one to ignore the deafening silence, I have decided to put an end to the Challenge and to go it alone. I know, I know, people...but disappointment is a part of life, and I'm sure someday soon you'll forget all about this sad sad day.  (Sarcasm, by the way, is not a highly recommended comedic tool in writing.)

Once in a while I will post my progress with my own goals, but I'm letting you all off the hook. Really, you don't need me to cheer you on...you have the power to succeed without me.  Trust me, you can do it on your own. (Again - use of unnecessary and unappreciated sarcasm here.)

Just a sidenote:  I'm across the country and have been particularily busy arranging my Mother's memorial service in our home province, so my own fitness ambition has been barely registering on the scales.  So, I too am guilty of not really jumping on my own Challenge bandwagon.

I'll talk to you later,
Kelly

The Challenge has Begun.

I'm a little late posting this, but I would like to welcome the first participants to my first annual Blogger's Health Challenge.

Welcome:
Misha from the blog My First Book.
Devin Bond from Devin's Musings.
Alex from Breakfast Every Hour.

It's only the first week of a five month challenge.  Check out the details on this post on my blog.  If you are interested in being a part of this, just make a comment stating your interest and then meet back on my blog every Sunday to post your week's progress.  And remember, there is an awesome incentive to stay on track.

It would be fantastic if you could link my blog on your blog to get the word out.  Let's make 2011 the year of the healthy, skinny writer.

Kelly.
http://write-at-home-with-kelly.blogspot.com/

One Day Left

Hello friends and followers,

This is just a reminder that my Blogger's Health Club starts the health challenge tomorrow, Monday, January 10.  Read my original post about this challenge right here. Please pass on the word.  There are great prizes to be won every Monday for the next five months.

If you are looking for a great way to get healthy and lose weight, I posted a great blog about the 17-Day Diet.

I'm asking you to put a link to my blog on your blog about this challenge.  The more people we can get involved, the more motivated we will be ourselves.  Let's make 2011 about being the best we can be for our family, friends, writing, and most importantly, ourselves.

Take care,
Kelly

17-Day Diet Craze.

Hello everyone.

So, today earlier today I suggested starting our very own health club.  Well, talk about timing...I caught today's episode of Dr. Phil, and there is this new diet that is sweeping the nation called "The 17-Day Diet".  Dr. Phil and The Doctors highly endorse this diet and are hosting their own challenge.  If you would like to be part of this challenge, in conjunction with being a member of our blogger's health club, you can only order the diet book here.  If you would also like to be a part of the show's challenge, you can choose which team you would like to be on right here.

I'm looking forward to getting started, so while I'm waiting for my copy of the diet book to arrive, I'm going to start with my 60 minutes of activity today.

I hope you decide to be a part of this group.  Check it out here. Let your followers in on the group as well.

Here's to a healthy, happy 2011.

Kelly

New Group - Are you interested in improving your life and having a chance to win great prizes?

Happy New Year, fellow writers.  I can't say I'm sorry to have 2010 behind me - it's been a hell of a year.  I have decided that 2011 is going to be my year to meet goals, and I am excited to add a NEW goal to my list, and I am inviting all of you followers, and your followers, to join me.  What am I suggesting, you may be asking? Well, let me just start off by telling you all that writing has been taking it's toll on me physically - I've been carrying around an additional 30 lbs due to my shameful lack of self-discipline in the "get my ass moving" department of my life.  Now, I'm going to do something about it...and if you can relate to my predicament in even a small way, I'm inviting you to do something about it as well.

I'd like to start a group for bloggers that will help us motivate ourselves and others to get a little healthier, and possibly lose weight in the process. And there will be rewards for those who are willing to share their progress every week for five months.  Read on...

Starting Monday, January 10, members of this group will pledge to incorporate 60 minutes of physical activity into their day, each and every day for five full months - ending Friday, June 10.  You don't have to do the full hour at one time; you may break it up into as many intervals that suit you each day, as long as you get in your full 60 minutes, and as long as you break a sweat each time.

Each week, on Sunday, you come back to here to post your progress.  You don't have to mention your weight, as it may not be your goal to lose weight, but to just move.  You should mention, though, how you spent your hours during the week.  However, if you think it will help, please mention any weight loss you've had each week. You can tell us how many inches you've lost, or how much better you are feeling, or how much energy you now have, or even post pictures of yourself showing your progress. The point is to set a health goal and strive to attain it, then post your progress.

We have five days before we get started, so please help me grow this group by mentioning it and putting a link to my blog on your blog.  

If you are interested in doing this, leave a comment after this post stating your name and the goal you want to reach in five months.  Invite your followers to join.  Once we have our group together, let's do all we can to motivate each other.  And here's the REWARD...

For everyone who posts their progress each Sunday (starting January 16th), I will put all of those names into a hat for a draw each and every Monday morning for a $20 Amazon gift card.  There is potential for each dedicated member who posts their progress each week to win $80 per month in Amazon gift cards.

I will be the first to comment after this post, but I am not eligible for the draws, of course.  Just follow my lead in the comments area, and come back each Sunday to post your progress. I hope you're as excited as me.  Good luck.

P.S. If you can think of a clever name for this group, let me know before the 10th.

Kelly