catchup

Current work: Harlequin Romance (aka M&B #57)
Listening to: Beethoven
Reading: Liz Fielding, Anything But Vanilla (fantastic); Susanna Kearsley, Mariana (enjoying)

Many apologies – what happened to the last three weeks? Basically, I’ve been up against a deadline with a book that did NOT want to be written. The whole thing was like struggling through treacle. I’m very relieved that it’s with my editor now. In the meantime, I’m playing with my new book while I’m waiting for what I think will be mammoth revisions.

Other than that… I’ve discovered scallops. How, how, HOW can a foodie have never eaten scallops before? Littlest and I really like them with lime and chilli :o)

The weight loss is progressing nicely (touches wood to avoid jinxing that). Whether the 5:2 diet has kickstarted my metabolism, or whether eating that way is the equivalent of interval training in fitness (i.e. quickest way to see big improvements), I don’t know, but I’m very grateful that it’s working. In the last month I’ve lost almost 7lbs; given that it took me four and a half months to lose 10lbs last year, and then the scales stuck fast, I’m delighted! I’m still interested to hear what the endocrinologist has to say, next month.

I’ve been doing a bit of reading, and watching some films to refill the well (some have been, ahem, better than others – but even the ones that didn’t hit the spot were useful because it taught me to watch out for things in my own work).

What’s new with you? What have you been reading/watching?

March already?

Current work: Medical Romance (aka M&B #56)
Listening to: Beethoven
Reading: Hilary Boyd, Thursdays in the Park

How did it get to be March already? Sorry. I have been atrocious about blogging and Must Try Harder. So what’s been going on at Planet Kate?

Well – the blood test results came back and they weren’t what the doctor or I was expecting, so it’s off to see the endocrinologist next month to see if they can work out what we’ve missed. And in the meantime, as my blood sugar appears to be stable, I’m trying the 5:2 diet. Last week, I lost 1.5 lbs – and as that’s the first weight I’ve lost since October (despite eating sensibly and exercising), I’m very pleased.

Apart from that, I’ve been struggling a bit with the book. Fingers crossed, it appears to be working now (and I do hope I haven’t just jinxed myself by saying that!). I think part of it is that I’ve been stressing about the health issues and it’s got in the way of my ability to think straight. Dew yew keep on a-troshin’, as they’d say in my part of the world. (Translation from the dialect: keep plodding on.)

I’m over at the Pink Heart Society today with a recipe – one that might be nice for anyone doing the 5:2, but with a couple of tweaks will also suit anyone who isn’t :o)

Oh - last thing - in the UK, it's publication week. So my ballroom dancing book is out in the shops now!