8/17/15, Breakfast of Champions

Hi Everyone,

Here we are in the middle of August, the summer is almost over, and thoughts are turning to Fall and making plans. September always seems exciting to me, maybe left over from my school days, but life begins anew in the Fall, new season, fall clothes, clean slate, and a burst of energy after the summer, to do new things. When the real new year starts in January, the weather is usually so dreary and depressing (unless you live in Hawaii or the Caribbean!!), but in September, everything starts over again, the cooler weather is invigorating, and the pace steps up as we get busier again after the summer. I actually have a new book coming out on September 1st: “Undercover”, about an undercover agent, fighting the Colombian drug cartels, lots of excitement and suspense!!! I hope you like it!!

So back to breakfast. My real breakfast is not too exciting. I eat the same thing every day: 1 piece of toast, and an iced decaf coffee, which seems to hit the spot as I start the day. I’m not much of an eater, and I share my single piece of toast with my 2 Chihuahuas, Minnie and Blue, who get very excited about it!!! So that’s the fuel I use to start my day, nothing too exotic, to say the least.

But I also try to feed my soul in the morning. Some days are better than others, and I try to keep a positive attitude, no matter what is going on—sometimes more successfully than others. Sometimes I think of the things that are worrying me as I wake up, not a great way to start the day. So I need a little boost to brush away the cobwebs. The first thing I do when I get up, even before my breakfast, is check my emails, to see if I have emails from my kids, my agent, editor, or publisher, or anything urgent. With half my life in Europe, it’s already the end of the afternoon there when I wake up early if I’m in the States, as emails come in from abroad while I’m sleeping. So I read through them first thing. What that means is that my first stop of the day is at the little table my youngest son made for me when he was about 10, in Woodshop, (it was for my birthday, I think, he made it and painted it) and I use it as my computer desk, with a little child’s antique chair. It’s a cozy set up in a corner of my office, since I only use my computer for emails, and not for writing my books. I’m always in my office by 8 am, no matter how late I go to bed (usually around 3 am, sometimes a little earlier or later if I’m writing). And first thing in my morning, I sit down at the little computer desk. So I put things on and around that desk to inspire me and start my day off right, and make me happy.

Right now there are 4 signs/sayings on and next to my computer desk, to start my day off right.

A sign I bought recently: “Wake up every morning as if something wonderful is about to happen”. I like that, it’s a great way to start the day. And a great reminder!!!

To the left of my computer screen, right next to it, is a smaller sign my youngest daughter gave me for mother’s day, “I love you a bushel and a peck”. I smile every time I see it, and it makes me think of her. (She has shocking pink hair—-now THAT’S happy!!!)

Right above my laptop, where I see it every day, a framed saying I have loved for years: “Miracles DO happen”. You can’t beat that for a reminder of great things. And I believe it.

And my new favorite that a friend sent me this summer and I had framed. It’s a drawing of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet walking along next to each other, leaving footsteps in either sand or snow. And I LOVE their exchange: “What day is it?”asked Pooh. “It’s today” squeaked Piglet. “My Favorite Day,” said Pooh. I just love that. I love the reminder of Today being a favorite day, not tomorrow or yesterday, or your Birthday or Christmas morning. Today. For now, those four sayings start my day off just right. I see them, and smile, read my emails, answer anything urgent, and then move on to my desk (where my typewriter is, and I work day and night), and I have my toast and iced Decaf. And I really love those signs I start the day off with….Today….my favorite day!!! I hope it’s a wonderful one for you. Whatever your morning routine, I hope your day starts off just right!!!

love, Danielle