Welcome to a month of change! A month of Reinvention, Renewal or Reenergizing something in our lives.

All around me I hear people complaining about the status quo. Whether it's a relationship that's stagnating, those extra ten pounds that just won't come off, or anything job related - the old phrase comes to mind, "if you always do what you've always done, you're always going to get what you've always gotten." (meaning, if you keep doing the same things, nothing will ever change!)

Don't you deserve more?

Whether it's spiritual fulfillment by committing to going back to your religious service this month or if it's just to get off like your duff (like me) and getting your body back in shape - we can do it.

Yesterday Christians the world over celebrated Easter - a time of re-birth. And it got me thinking about all the times I've made changes in my life and how my life changed (not always for the better, I might add) because of a change in the everyday routine. It's not always about setting goals, either - because let's face it, not everyone is good at setting goals   So, instead why not join me this month is picking a way to renew something in your life! Reinvent yourself to move in a different direction maybe. Or, re-energize something you haven't done in months or years. Maybe it's just gathering the good kharma by thinking something positive before flying off the handle and letting your wrath be known to everyone on your line that isn't moving or that car next to you that just cut you off. Patience peeps, it's a good thing!

So in the spirit of change, I've picked a few things that I plan to work on, just because I am an ambitious (read: sadistic) woman...LOL.

(1) I WILL focus more on the actual writing and editing of my novels and LESS surfing the web.

(2) I WILL get out of my chair and walk around the block at least once everyday.

(3) I WILL renew my relationships with my family - without the use of electronics.

Number 3 might have some people baffled. Let me explain. Yesterday I hosted Easter dinner for my family. Since my wonderfully patient hubby is the electronics guru of the family - we have a vast array of internet capable gadgets (and many people we know bring their gadgets with them to our house so hubby can guide them through using them or set them up or fix them when they crash...LOL) The family arrived and (since we're a wireless house) everyone took out their devices or plugged in. We sat searching facebook for other family members, we downloaded pictures to each other, and burned music for each other. Texts were flying. I'll admit on a normal day, my kids text me from their bedrooms to find out things like when dinner will be ready. (I know, I know.)

I'm not saying we didn't have a great holiday, because we always have fun when we get together (my sister, brother and I are very different people, yet in some ways soooo much alike - we can't help but laugh!) It's just an observation about how different our lives are with all these innovations at our fingertips. Yes, we even had the discussion about digital publishing!

But thinking about when everyone went home, I looked at my kids and decided it's time for us to connect more - in person.

That's my mission.

You're turn

Is there anything you'd like to change? Anything you used to enjoy doing that you've let slip by the wayside because life has intervened or maybe something you've never done that you'd like to accomplish one day soon - something that's going to take action on your part? Let me know, it will be fun to see the progress through the month!

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 Remember playing the cloud game as a kid? A warm summer day, the fresh cut grass the only blanket you needed to spend hours watching the clouds roll by. What did your imagination create? Did it get any better than those carefree days?

Lately I've been looking for things to get my kids to think outside the box and not rely so much on the suggestions forced into their minds via video games, youTube and the television.

I've managed to get them at least noticing the clouds - and that's one step forward for me. There have been the moments in the car when they spot something in the clouds and comment on it. And from the plane? What things you can spot from high above, and how different they look from those heights.

Now with the fall coming, it's going to be harder to get them to sprawl in the grass (and since I'm not a big fan of bugs and seem to get worse with each passing year...) a picnic blanket is now okay with me!

 Watching the clouds is relaxing and invigorating at the same time. While your body rests and soaks up the fresh air, your mind is running away with possibilities we all can find in those white wispy creations. From fire-breathing dragons to giant hippos - it's all there for you to enjoy and it doesn't have to make sense.

So while you're taking time to smell the flowers, or taking in the crisp fall air - don't forget to look up!

Enjoy the weekend.

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Tired of the same old brownies? Although brownies are the standard stand-by dessert in our house, I like to mix it up every now and then and throw the family a curve. Try this twist - mix and bake in the same pan, too!

One Pan Chocolate Walnut Cake

1 Cup Flour, 1 Cup Sugar, 2/3 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.

Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour an 8 inch square or round cake pan, preferably nonstick.

In the prepared baking pan, combine the dry ingredients above. Make a well in the middle.

Into the well, add...

1/2 Cup sour cream, 1/4 cup light vegetable oil, 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Gradually incorporate all the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients by pulling in from the edges as you stir.

Stir in 1 cup walnuts.

Spread the mixture evenly in the pan and rap it once or twice on the counter to remove any air bubbles in the batter.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack.

Enjoy the weekend!

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