Louisa Cornell, ladydawgfan, KateS and Kelly Ryan are the winners of Fun Contest Saturday!
Lori Austin's (aka Lori Handeland) An Outlaw in Wonderland has been named one of Publisher Weekly's Best Summer Books of 2013!!
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Goddesses Lori Austin (Lori Handeland) and Sabrina Jeffries for being named as RITA finalists for their historical romances BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER and A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS!
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I’m a power-napper. I’ve been one since way back. I never “taught” myself to do it; I just did it. In college, I couldn’t function without my afternoon 10-20 minute nap. When I was pregnant, I actually chose an hour lunchtime (my company did flex time), so I could dash home, wolf down lunch, and take my 10 minute nap. I don’t even need an alarm. I just lay down, and my body wakes me up in 10 to 20 minutes. And I really sleep, too. I usually even have a dream. If I sleep an hour or more, it means I’m sick or exhausted.
I’m also a breakfast person. Must have breakfast. And coffee (most of the time, iced). And lately, my morning walk. Everything else is negotiable, but not those four. If I don’t get my walk or my nap, I’m very cranky. And there’s no “if” for the breakfast and coffee–I get them, period. I can’t think of a single time in my life where I skipped breakfast (except for fasting blood tests and surgeries, and even with the blood tests, I got breakfast afterward).
Do YOU have any must haves? Will you do anything for your daily coffee (or Pilates or muffin or romance novel or dog walking or morning kiss)? Is there anything in your life that if you miss one day of, you’ll be cranky?
Tea. In the morning I need tea before becoming a nice enough person to talk to
And before going to sleep, I need to read a chapter or two from my book, any kind of book as long as it isn’t work related.
And since weekdays start way to early I need to sleep at least till nine in the morning in the weekends
Other wise I’m pretty good, but these three are not open for discussion
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 4:51 am.
I have a friend who reads to go to sleep, too. I can’t do that. I wouldn’t sleep!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:20 am.
Depends on the book
There are books that just don’t allow you to read only one or two chapters. The books by a mrs Jeffries for example have that effect *grin* Then I need to sleep a while longer in the weekends 
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:05 am.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:09 pm.
My must have is a weekly chocolate. I must have that chocolate or Things Will Get Bad. I must also have lots of cuddles from New Guy because he gives wonderful hugs and I must follow a set routine of television shows. I get mean otherwise.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 4:53 am.
Oh, I also picked up a copy of A Lady Never Surrenders today so please don’t cry. I got it as part of the “free” books that came from 10 previous sales, New Guy was flummoxed when that happened *g*
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:00 am.
Hey, I won’t cry–you got my book! As long as you’re not illegally downloading it, I’m happy. *G* Hope you enjoy it!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:23 am.
Nope not illegally downloading it, it was free in that at the bookstore I frequent there is a club that you can join and 10% from each sale for 10 sales goes towards a gift voucher and your book was one that I chose in my $64 worth of gift voucher.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:46 am.
Cool! Sounds like a good deal. Believe me, I make use of those programs wherever I can myself.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:10 pm.
I really like my chocolate, but I’m trying to cut it out, at least for a while. Wish me luck!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:22 am.
I know you can fo it Sabrina!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:47 am.
I must have my daily 8 hours of sleep. I can’t sleep during the day, but at night I need my rest. Even as a little baby I wouldn’t sleep at daytime! If I don’t sleep enough, I grow tired and moody.
I also need my breakfast, lunch and dinner at set times. If I’m too long without food, I have a headache.
And three cups of coffee a day are also what I need – I’m sipping one right now, here at my desk at work (being on your own in an office without someone looking over your shoulder is a blessing!).
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 4:59 am.
Hubby needs 10! He doesn’t get it much, though, not these days. I’m like you with the food–if I don’t eat, I get sick. Weird, huh?
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:25 am.
My dh must have 8 and complains when he doesn’t, which is often. He also has to eat or becomes unreasonable. Me, I go with the flow and can function on 6 hours (and that nap!).
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:38 am.
I can function on 6, and have been known to survive 5. But I’m most comfortable with 7 to 8.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:46 am.
I also take power maps, and have since I can remember. This does not happen on work days. And honestly, since my brother died I barely sleep during that time. Now I just lay there for ten or fifteen minutes. It recharges me though. I also must have coffee in the morning. Without it I’m just uglier than normal. And I must be able to write. If I don’t get time during the day, or night, I just turn mean! *g*
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:45 am.
Kelly, sorry to hear about your brother–that must be very hard.
Back when I worked outside the home, I tried to nap at work, but it was hard to manage. Nowhere to sleep!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:45 am.
I’m a napper too! I can tell myself to sleep a certain amount of time, and that is what I do.
I’m not able to eat breakfast until I am hungry, otherwise there is an ick factor. my morning mocha doesn’t apply.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:36 am.
I have lots of friends like that–they can’t eat when they first get up or they feel sick. I feel sick if I DON’T eat when I first get up!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:02 am.
I’m a napper too. Big believer that if you need to go down for a little while it’s okay. For me it’s definitely coffee first thing in the morning. It’s the first thing I do after I take the first dog out. Must have breakfast.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:04 am.
I actually eat breakfast even before I have coffee! I’m a serious breakfast eater. *G*
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:04 am.
Oh how I envy that you’ve always found a way to nap. Head down on my desk doesn’t make for a true nap but sometime I just have to.
Musts:
Caffeine in the form of ice tea or that sirens song Diet Coke
8 hours sleep
Dinner with friends at least once a month or I could easily get cozy as a hermit
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:07 am.
Fresh, Hubby is perfectly happy as a hermit. If not for me, I think he would stay in the house forever!
And I love Diet Coke myself. And Diet Dr. Pepper.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:06 am.
I’m the same way about coffee and breakfast. For years I had coffee FOR breakfast and that was okay. But now if I don’t have breakfast I am not presentable for humans.
If I don’t get my workout I get really hyper. Also not presentable for humans.
I’ve noticed that if I go several days without reading, my writing suffers. I need to hear that flow in my head I guess. I also get a little nutty if I don’t write for more than a week.
I love naps. But I really nap–like an hour or more–and that’s hard to slip into a day. I envy those power naps.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:18 am.
If I nap for an hour, it really messes me up. Sometimes I do it on a Sunday, but rarely.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:29 am.
Tea, I must have my morning tea.
I envy those who can powernap. If I nap…I’m down for the count, and I feel groggy until bedtime.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:31 am.
Same here with the nap thing.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:07 am.
That only happens to me if I take a LONG nap!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:30 am.
I must have free time in the morning to sit and enjoy a coffee while I surf online. I usually get up at 5:30, so that I can do this before the kids get up. I also must have a shower. This is what wakes me up in the morning and gets me going. If I don’t shower I feel out of sorts all day. I also have to sleep in at least one day on the weekend. I usually try and stay in bed until 9am, but I am finding as I get older, it has been getting harder and harder to sleep in.
I also must have an hour a day to sit and relax and read. This is usually when my 2 year old is napping. However, she has been telling me that she doesn’t need a nap anymore. I don’t know where I am going to fit that relaxing afternoon read in once napping stops. I don’t want napping to stop!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:35 am.
Hubby’s like you–he must have his shower! I can skip a shower and not feel too bad. Not sure what that says about me. *G*
Good luck with finding the relaxing time! My son stopped napping early, too. How can he possibly be MY child?
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 12:14 pm.
I have several “must haves” where everybody else drinks coffee I need a soda(Coke is my drink of choice) choclate(Preferably without nuts) and I have certain tv shows I try never to miss,Game of Thrones & True Blood to name a few:)
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:42 am.
I never miss True Blood, either! I can’t wait until the next season starts.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 12:24 pm.
We could live together, my friend. Exactly what you said.
The nap is a big deal for me. 20 minutes, almost to the second. Every day.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:09 am.
Yep! Must have nap.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 12:26 pm.
Wow…I am jealous! I can’t power nap (or really even nap, for that matter), if I lay down its going to be for at least 6 solid hours…which is one of my must haves. I like my sleep–I can function on less–but I don’t like to (and neither does anyone around me).
I also need decompress time at the end of the day before bed. We work some long hours, especially this time of year–but regardless of when we’re done for the day, I need 20 minutes to read a book, stare at a TV, sit on the deck, etc., so I can sleep….(which brings us back to sleep again)!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:28 am.
I need some relaxing time, too, to watch a show or do spider solitaire. I do WAY too much spider solitaire.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:11 pm.
I have always envied power nappers. My sister is that way, and she can fall asleep anywhere. I agree that a 20 minute nap can really rejuvenate me but I have to set an alarm or I will sleep for 2 hours.
Morning coffee and fifteen minutes with the newspaper would be my daily must do. I am out of sorts on the days when I have to skip it, and will normally make it a point to wake up at a time that allows it no matter how early I have to be up.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:35 am.
That’s how I am with the nap. I try to always work it in. It’s hard when I travel, though.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:16 pm.
Now that I’m in dialysis, I must have my meals on schedule. I actually can feel them physically if they don’t happen on time. It’s a sad thing to be ruled by your stomach, but then life goes on doesn’t it? I used to be able to power nap, but they’ve now become a little longer. I still wake up refreshed and ready to go. I generally put music on a timer to go to sleep. I am cranky if I go without my music for any stretch of time. Of course, now that it’s baseball season, when the Mets are on the West coast everything gets blown out of kilter. *g*
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:02 am.
I have to use music to sleep if I’m on a plane–I have to block out the people noise. *G*
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:17 pm.
I must get a minimum of 8 hours sleep, 9 is ideal. Without that, I’m really not functional. Never in my life have I stayed up all night— not in college, not on prom night, not with a houseful of small children/infants.
Not. Happening.
Can’t do it.
Everything else in my life is negotiable. But not a long night of heavy sleep.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:11 am.
When I was young, I did the stay up all night thing a couple of times. I don’t get the appeal. *G*
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:18 pm.
i dont have to have it but i prefer my coffee lol and sit down to watch my tv shows (switching between family fued with steve harvey and tyler perry’s house of payne and meet the browns) if i get those im doing good for the day
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:38 am.
Hubby has to have his Daily Show and Colbert, so I completely understand needing the shows!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:20 pm.
I love naps, but I have never been a power napper. I am so jealous! If I try to sleep for only 20 minutes, I will feel horrible when I wake up. I generally have to sleep for 45 minutes to an hour if I have a nap, and then I will feel good. I tend to sleep better at night if I don’t nap, though.
As for must haves, I must eat something in the morning. It doesn’t have to be an organized breakfast, just a granola bar is helpful, but if I don’t eat something I will be nauseated and have a headache well before lunch. Yuck.
I also drink a cup of tea or coffee every morning while getting ready for work (or waking up over the weekend). I usually have at least one more caffeinated beverage throughout the day, but I must have one first thing in the morning. I fluctuate between tea and coffee though, since I enjoy both.
Other than that, I’m pretty adaptable. I get varying hours of sleep a night (between 5 and 8 usually) and am fine with all of those things. Sometimes I get home late and crash right into bed with no down time besides a few minutes of cat-cuddling. Maybe as I age I will get into a more set routine.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:54 am.
That’s me without breakfast completely–if I don’t eat it, I get nauseated.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:24 pm.
I have to have my coffee in the morning. A nonfat latte, made with our own roasted coffee beans, to be specific. Yes, we are coffee snobs.
I also have to have my breakfast of blueberries and Greek yogurt. Anything different and the day is off. I miss my workout when I can’t make it (Tu/Th/Fri), so it is inked into the calendar as an appointment. And a lot of water, or I’m cranky and have a headache. The rest of the day is negotiable. Finally I’ve found time again to do more reading, and that is something I really, really, really want to have back in my day.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:04 am.
I’m trying to do more reading, too, Sharon. It’s hard when you’re a writer–it feels more like work than play. But I am enjoying the reading I’ve been able to do.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:38 pm.
coffee, some form of exercise (Sabrina, have you joined Running for Burgers yet?), and chocolate at some point during the day.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:19 am.
Not yet, but I will! It’s been a crazy week.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:40 pm.
A subject I’ve never really thought abut but the only consistent ‘must have’ daily is a few minutes of being alone & quiet. No people/dogs/tv/radio/book… doesn’t need to be for very long, just needs to be there. Interesting subject to explore.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:23 am.
And boy, is it hard to get that, too!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:41 pm.
My morning can of coke… I drink my caffeine cold… Has to be in a can too
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:49 am.
My brother has to have a Big Gulp Diet Coke from 7-11 every day. I think that’s funny. He’s such a picky eater normally, so I find it amusing that he gets his daily fix from 7-11.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:42 pm.
I need 5 small meals a day because I’ll admit that I’m extremely unpleasant to be around if I have low blood sugar. Ideally, 7-8 hours of sleep helps me function better, especially during the week when I’m the only parent at home to help with homework. I, also, have to have music on when I’m getting ready to go out. I like our morning walk to school and home for me, but I like some other form of exercise on top of that. It clears my mind. I absolutely have to do something creative every day – whether it’s planning a jewelry project or working on one. And a little reading is required. I can’t imagine going thru a day without reading.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:54 am.
Part of the reason I like my walk is I listen to music, and I really like having my music fix every morning.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:58 pm.
I must have a diet soda in the morning. Diet Dr Pepper or Diet Coke. Period.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 12:26 pm.
You and my brother!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 2:02 pm.
Btw, those are my two fave soft drinks, too!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 2:03 pm.
Those are my favorite drinks as well!! If someone cut me open, Diet Dr Pepper would probably come out!!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:44 pm.
Must have my morning Starbucks. It’s not just the caffeine, it’s the routine of going to get it. I think about my writing for the day, and I often get my best ideas on that morning outing.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 12:58 pm.
I walk to Starbucks, so I understand EXACTLY what you mean! I really love my daily iced coffee.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 2:05 pm.
I need a nap, too! I lie down at about 1/2pm and wake up at about 5/6pm. That’s my power nap. If I don’t have it, I get grumpy, moody and weepy. Like a 3 year old. Obviously, I’m not the most productive person in the world, but, hey, a girl gotta do what a girl gotta do, right? On the other hand, I’ve never been able to sleep well at night, so, my naps counterbalance it
And I need… obsession. It doesn’t matter what it is, but, at any given time, I’m obsessed with… something. Whatever it is, I need to be focused, desperate, thinking about nothing but THAT. Just that. Lately it’s been GRIMM. But it changes all the time. It can be a tv show, a book, a food, a class (why not?), a person (lol), a game, anything, really! It keeps me from focusing on my real life issues, I think.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:08 pm.
I was a bit like that with the obsession thing when I was your age (usually I was obsessed with some guy), but I pretty much grew out of it.
Oh, and I got married. That really nips the crushes in the bud. *G*
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 2:07 pm.
Well I don’t absolutely HAVE to have my morning coffee, I suppose doing 20 to life for taking out the idiot who stopped me is well worth the price. i used to have a poster of Garfield in a cup marked “Coffee” and the message said “Don’t talk to me before my second cup.” That was gift from my children because they grew up on that simple truth.
More often than not breakfast consists of toast with honey or cinnamon or both; sometimes we have bagels and cream cheese instead. Favorite snack is granola cereal of some kind and yogurt instead of milk.
Coffee is the glue that keeps me stuck on this planet, otherwise I would go spiraling into space.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:10 pm.
Ooh, I love bagels and cream cheese. I don’t have them much, but it’s one of my favorite breakfasts.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 4:43 pm.
I need my Coke in the morning and my romance novel before bed. I also need a shower in the morning and a shower before bed. Highly desired is a walk everyday, but sometimes I don’t get that and I’m cranky when that happens. Thats really it. I guess I’m not as high maintenance as I thought.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 1:51 pm.
My husband would probably LOVE to take two showers a day, but he settles for one really long one. He likes to be clean. *G*
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 4:44 pm.
Hrm. I like a cup of tea in the morning, but don’t have to have it.. or a Diet Coke.. but again, don’t have to have it.
I don’t think I have anything that I *have* to have really. I tend to mostly go with the flow and am pretty laid back about things.
I do with I could take power naps, though.. but if I take a nap, I am out for quite a while then can’t sleep at night. So it’s best I just soldier it out if I am tired and go to bed a little earlier.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 2:19 pm.
I’m lucky in that sleeping during the day doesn’t stop me from sleeping at night. Neither does caffeine. It’s the hot flashes that sometimes get me up at night.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 4:45 pm.
Must haves:
- sleep, 8 hrs min, or a nap to make up for lost time… I can survive with less but the result isn’t pretty (think Zombies “brr..ains”)
- breakfast, without it I get light-headed and/or queasy
- regular meals/snacks.. low blood sugar gets me downright mean & nasty
Like to have daily:
- coffee, though it has to be after or with breakfast or the light-headed queasiness hits pretty quickly
- a walk, don’t get this one nearly as often, am hoping to do better now that nicer weather has arrived
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 3:27 pm.
I didn’t used to be religious about exercise, but lately I really crave my walk. I guess that’s a good thing.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 4:46 pm.
My daily must haves are a few…1 a half a pot of coffee with my flavored creamer and sugar to get my day going, my chocolate fix every day around noon when I have lunch, which I have to have something with Avocado in it, like a sandwich or a salad and at the end of my day I read in bed until I start to fall asleep, or when hubby goes to bed.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:09 pm.
I like the flavored creamer, too! My favorite is the caramel one and I use sweetener. And I also have a salad at lunch, with avocado. I used to have chocolate mid-afternoon, but I’m trying to cut it out. Maybe we’re twins. *G*
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:55 pm.
Oh we must be. I love any flavor that has caramel too. I like the Almond Joy too. With my hyperthyroidism I can eat anything and not gain any weight because It burns off quick. So I need the chocolate..
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:11 pm.
I have to have some form of caffeine every morning, usually tea. I have to have some form of breakfast every morning. I must watch Jeopardy at 7pm every weeknight. And I have to read before I can go to sleep every night.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:13 pm.
My mom likes Wheel of Fortune. I never watch anything then–that’s my writing time!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:56 pm.
My needs are few but definite:
- Diet Dr Pepper in the morning to get my engines going
- A good protein breakfast for the same reason
- A hot shower in the morning to wake me up – if I shower before bed, I look like Don King because of my curly hair!
- Quiet time to read. If you see me with a romance novel in my hands, leave me the h*ll alone unless someone is bleeding from an artery or the house is on fire!!!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:51 pm.
Yes, I eat a protein breakfast every morning, too. I love my chicken sausages! LOL about the romance novel time!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:57 pm.
my daily must have is my ebooks or books cause i loving reading one of my daily and my other daily must have is hot tea
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 6:08 pm.
I’ve never been a tea person myself, but I can see how it would be soothing.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:58 pm.
Do not really have any Must Have unless you count needing food or drink with my blood pressure pills. Since I can’t swallow the pills whole, I have to chew them and they taste nasty.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:59 pm.
Ugh–you poor thing, you!
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:58 pm.
Diet Coke. I must drink Diet Coke everyday.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:32 pm.
I don’t drink it every day, but I used to. Now it’s mostly coffee, with the occasional diet coke or diet Dr. Pepper thrown in.
Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:58 pm.
I need a shower first thing in the morning to start my day just right, then a cup of tea.
Mess with that & I am out of step all day.
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 3:19 am.
Hubby doesn’t like anyone messing with his shower either.
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:42 am.