It felt like something a bit out of the twilight zone at first. And I felt gigantic when I arrived in the land of smiles.
Thailand.
It was by far the most exotic place we'd been to thus far on the book tour and it stretched me a lot
Let's see-the people, the food, the culture, the beauty, the spirituality-I appreciated it all by the end, but I'm not gonna lie-Thailand tested me.
Would I go back again? Absolutely

I can't believe it's the last stop on the book tour and Japan is definitely one of the most exotic places I've been to yet.
Sushi, karaoke, cat cafes, ramen soup, bullet trains...there's A LOT to see and do in Tokyo AND the toilets-did I mention the toilets? I won't ruin THAT surprise for you.
P.S. We're also celebrating our first anniversary in Tokyo. I know Can you believe it's here already? Shhh don't tell Max, but I just might have a little surprise for him.;)

I just want to keep one breakfast down. Is that too much to ask?
I so want to be over-the-moon about this pregnancy-I mean, it is a gift, a precious gift that I'm nurturing inside me, right?
I know this-I do. But most often I feel as if an alien life force has taken over my body-and not to mention my tongue-which I try to hold, but poor Max...poor, poor Max, the love of my life and wonderful father-to-be.
He could not annoy me more lately
Sigh.
I'll work it out though. You know I will. Contrary to everything I just said, I am incredibly excited - girl or boy, which...

We're getting pretty good at this parenting thing. Well, we made it through the terrible twos anyway.
And Abby is mostly a complete joy. She's free-spirited, opinionated and not afraid of much-traits that both impress and terrify me at times.
She's mostly doing okay in preschool. Well, I wish her teachers understood her as well as I do. Yeah, maybe we need a little break from preschool after all.
We're going to try just a small family book tour altogether. I'm sure it will be one big family adventure Okay, I'm reasonably sure it will all work out just fine because what could...

From the author of the popular, Single Wide Female series...
199 pounds
Any 200+ lb woman on a weight loss mission, will tell you about the magic that happens when she steps on the scale and sees those magic numbers for the first time.
Onederland
I'm not alone in this, right? I mean, I felt pretty amazing when I stepped on the scale and saw that number the other day.
Somehow in the midst of a divorce, starting my own business, celebrating a big birthday and too many other things to mention, I've managed to continually work on my weight loss while tackling a few...

We had our share of Christmas invites, to be sure. But after last year's travel between hubby's parents and my own relatives, we threw in the towel this year.
A vacation away - that's what we needed
It only took a little convincing for me to decide that Australia would be a good first international trip to attempt as a family. And with Abby's current obsession with koala bears, I'm sure it will be a hit.

So, I've been separated from my husband for about a year. It wasn't my choice to end our marriage and the fact that he now seems to have a change of heart?
Well, you can imagine. I'm not really sure what to do with that. Especially because I've had a lot of time to think-and to challenge myself in new ways. I'm not so sure that getting back together again is the answer for either of us.
The pressure's on though because the big divorce date is coming up fast

40 The big one
I really hope that I can pull myself together enough to enjoy a little getaway with friends.And why not?
I've been learning so much about myself as a newly single woman-as a business owner with drives and ambitions.
I am woman, hear me roar, right?
I'm pretty sure I'm going to handle turning 40 with ease. Please consider yourself invited to the party.
Alex in Onederland:
Book 1: Common Grounds
Book 2: The D Word
Book 3: Forty & Fabulous
Book 4: Empty Nest
Book 5: On the Run
Book 6: Ready for Love

I really can't believe the day has come. I think there's nothing that can prepare a mother to send her daughter off to college-especially when you're as close as Rachel and I are.
I feel like I should be the one helping to calm her nerves, but I think it's me who's having a bit of a freak out around here.
And then-well, there's no time for freaking out. I've got the cafe to run and a huge list of things I want to do with my daughter before she goes, so carry on-thats what I'll do.
Alex in Onederland:
Book 1: Common Grounds
Book 2: The D Word
Book 3: Forty &...