Long Time, No Blog

Contrary to what you might believe, I am still alive and well. ;)

Okay, I guess it's only been a little over a week since I posted, and that seems to have become the norm for me, but it feels like it's been much longer.

 I do have some exciting news, though. I've now officially finished my second post-Mount Hermon draft of my book! :D It's not ready to send off just yet. I'm currently reading through it from start to finish and making corrections. I'm also having some writing friends help me edit it in the coming weeks.

Still, this is a huge victory for me. Why? Because this is the first time I've actually written the thing from start to finish since I started...ahem...five years ago. :} Getting a great idea is one thing. Writing a book all the way through, imperfections or not, is much harder.

I don't know what God has planned for this book, but I'm excited to find out. Traditional publishing would be my first choice. My self-doubts like to kick in and inform me that it's not really good enough for anyone else to want to publish it. Maybe it's not. Maybe it is. All I know is that I'm moving forward with it, no matter what. If nothing else, I can start a Kickstarter page to fund self-publication. ;) Even if only ten people read it and are blessed, I've done my job and shared my joy. :)

Again, I can't thank all of you enough who have encouraged me, supported me, and done so much for me every step of the way. :)

I wish so much that I didn't have to pixelate this picture. Part of me wants to post everything right now and share it with you right away! ;) But I know that in the long run, waiting until it's ripe and ready for everyone to read is the best way. I can't wait to share this story with all of you. :)

So, as you can imagine, this project has kind of distracted me from blogging. Once I hand it off to my editing friends, though, I'll get cracking on those sad little draft posts that have been waiting for me for so long. Blog comments responses and email responses are high on my priority list, too.

I think I need a secretary. ;)

I haven't talked about the gym much here on the blog since I started in August. I've tried to keep it pretty low key here since this is a place people come to talk about dolls and toys. However, for those of you who are interested, I have been keeping up with my gym vlogs. I'm up to 26 of them now, with more on the way. :) (You can see all of them on my Gym Vlogs Playlist HERE.) My plan is to record vlogs until Skinny Jeans ends in mid-November.

Going to the gym has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm feeling and seeing changes in my body, I'm learning a lot, and gaining confidence. I don't even hate pictures of myself anymore! :) As evidenced by my selfie session in the school parking lot today, taken while waiting for my girls to finish Homework Club:

I should have been editing my book, but I felt like being goofy instead. ;)

I have four weeks left and can't wait to see the further changes that come my way. :) Going to the gym throughout the week has made my schedule a little crazier, but the benefits to my body and my health are definitely worth it.

And since I really should give you some toy news of some kind, here are a few little tidbits. :)

Disneystore.com is offering free shipping on any purchase until Wednesday (tomorrow). The promo code is FREESHIP. I put some things in my cart but was a good girl and walked away before clicking the order button. ;)

While traipsing around town today, I found some fun MLP-related goodies at Walgreen's that I haven't seen anywhere else. 

First up, there were giant Princess Celestia...

...and Princess Cadance brushables. These are the same size (around 8 1/2 inches tall) as my giant Fluttershy, which I reviewed HERE. They're super cute, but I'm focusing more on Funko Vinyl ponies and Blind Bag ponies in my collection now instead of brushables. Plus, I have no room! ;) 

Both ponies were $9.99 each.

Right next to them was this cute Pinkie Pie and Scootaloo set with a little stove, also priced at $9.99.

And then there were these plastic-haired Equestria Girls dolls that I'd seen online but never in person. They're pretty simplified and not my style, but I thought I'd mention them in case anyone else is interested. :)

I haven't been tempted by much of the Equestria Girls line (aside from THIS darling Rockin' Hairstyle Fluttershy with the sweetest face who has tried to jump into my shopping cart several times). ;) However, I'm really looking forward to THESE VERSIONS of them, created with Hasbro by the founder of the Pocket Princesses. :D I might have to add at least Fluttershy and Twilight to my collection when they're available. :) Plus, they're small, so they won't take up much room! :D

Now if she would just work with Hasbro and design collectible Pocket Princesses! ;)

Okay, I think that's about all I've got for you now. Stay tuned for toy review posts! I know I keep saying that, but bear with me. They're coming. :} Really and truly. ;)