My Newest Common Sense Article

My newest article in The Herald News came out today, "Bracing for season of fundraising." This one is near and dear to my heart since, as you'll read, I'm not a big fan of fundraising. It's probably one of the main reasons that I'm not all that thrilled with elementary school.

What do you think? Are you a fan of fundraisers?

Common Sense Article- Parents Beware of Teen Blogs

My newest installment in the Common Sense column at
The Herald News is Parents, beware of teen blogs. Check it out!

The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch

Allison Winn Scotch's debut book, The Department of Lost and Found, is everything that I hoped it would be and more! This poignant, funny and enlightening story takes the reader on a true journey of self discovery.

TDLF is the story of Natalie Miller, a highly driven New York Senator's aide, propelled by her will to succeed (and someday become President). She will do everything necessary to get to the top- no matter who gets hurt in the process. Just when she feels that her life is on the right course, Natalie is diagnosed with breast cancer AND her boyfriend dumps her!

Feeling alone, Natalie learns to let go and lean on friends and family for support- a concept very foreign to her.

Though breast cancer is a tough subject, Allison does a remarkable job of weaving humor, strength and eye-opening life lessons into her debut book. Follow Natalie on her journey of self-discovery and you will not be disappointed! TDLF is a definite "must read"!




ABOUT ALLISON
Allison Winn Scotch is a frequent contributor to numerous consumer magazines including American Baby, American Way, Arthritis Today, Bride's, Cooking Light, Fitness, Glamour, InStyle Weddings, Lifetime Television, Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Parents, Parenting, Prevention, Redbook, Self, Shape, Weight Watchers, Woman's Day, Women's Health, and ivillage.com, msn.com, and women.com, as well as American Airlines Custom Magazines and American Express Custom Magazines. Her debut novel, The Department of Lost and Found, will be published in May 2007 by William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins.

You can read more about The Department of Lost and Found and check out Allison's Website and Blog at these addresses:

www.allisonwinnscotch.blogspot.com
www.allisonwinn.com

Oh, my aching muscles!

I am so sore! Not crippled, mind you, but my muscles are aching all the way up the back of my legs from my calves to my bum. What prompted this soreness, you ask?

Running.

I. Hate. Running. Anyone who knows me knows that I hate running. I have decided, though, that in order to drop the rest of the weight that I want to lose, that I must run. Not far. Just far enough to jar my body into weight reduction, which does seem to be working. It's been about a month and a half now and I have seen some weight loss... mostly in my face, but it is working it's way down. I just know it!

The soreness comes in because I've just recently graduated from running one minute at a time to running for 20 minutes straight. Yesterday it was 15 minutes, today 20, tomorrow I die! I'm thinking that maybe I've graduated too fast. (I'm asking myself: "How do people run five miles at a time...every day? Does the running get easier? When does it quit hurting?")

At this point you might be thinking that I'm a wimp. I know that I'm a wimp! Anything that induces pain is generally a no, no for me. But, I know that running has worked for me in the past, so I'm willing to give it another try. As they say, "no pain, no gain"- or loss in this case! I think I'll just put up with the discomfort for awhile longer and see where it gets me.

Anyone else going "against their grain" for some desired results?

Quirks and Sputters...

We've lived in our house for about eight years, but it's about 13 years old.

We are experiencing all kinds of quirks and sputters with mechanical and non-mechanical items around our house...inside and out! The TV repairman just left, my dishwasher soap dispenser won't dispense (well at least not on a regular basis), my pool is leaking (nothing to do about that until spring, except to keep putting water in it as needed), my refrigerator and furnace make noises on alternate days, my son's laptop has decided to reject its operating system and my garage interior light works sometimes and not others.

I just realized that I said my house is 13 years old...unlucky number 13! Do you think that could be the problem?!?!

Is there anything strange going on at your house?

Lisa

Lots of Energy!

I have so much more energy when the sun is shining! Makes me feel that spring is just around the corner. It is...isn't it?

This week I'm working on an article about Promotional Products...you know, the "freebies" that we love to get when we go to trade shows, etc. I love them and use mine all of the time (must be the cheapskate in me!). My favorite promo items are: pens, pencils, magnets (especially the strong ones!), calculators, can coolers and t-shirts.

What are your favorites? Have you received something really unique? Tell me about your experiences with promo products. I just might be able to use the info for my article.

Happy writing!

Lisa