CHECK OUT THESE VALENTINE TITLES BY THE WILD ROSE PRESS

Today is a day for lovers, young and old, to celebrate love. As a writer of romance, developing a love between two people is an integral part of my books. There are a lot of themes for love--A love lost. A secret love. A jaded love. There is nothing more fun than to put two characters in a situation you wouldn't want to be in and see how they work themselves out of it.

What are you reading right now? I just finished a HOT read by author Brit Blaise called CAVE CREEK COWBOYS KAMA. I highly recommend it. Currently, I'm in the middle of ECHOS OF TORMENT by Kevin Helmold. It is about a current obsession of mine--FIREMEN--Well, one in particular. LOL. I'm enjoying the book. Kevin has graciously agreed to be on my blog for an interview when I'm finished with it.

BELOW are some new titles out for Valentines Day I can recommend to put you in the mood for LOVE. You can check them out at www.thewildrosepress.com/



HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

THOSE LITTLE STINKERS!

OK! I took my youngest son with me shopping (well, he hopped in the car and invited himself a long. What's a mom to do?) to get my husband his present for Valentine's Day + our wedding anniversary is Friday.

What does the stinker do? He blabs at the dinner table! AARGGH! So much for the element of surprise. The rest of the kids laugh. I'm aghast, and my husband is quite pleased with himself.

I need a vacation!

But seriously. Here are the top ten gift ideas for men for Valentines Day this year according to ASKMEN.COM are:

10) Magazines
9) DVD's
8) A Bar Set
7) Champagne and Truffles (I like this one!)
6) Grooming Products
5) Cologne
4) Gift Accessories (they gave examples such as a wallet, hats, gloves...)
3) Handheld Organizer
2) Intimate Bedroom Gifts
1) A Classy Watch

My husband received a new Chocolate Cell Phone and a large box of candy. I guess I flunked this top ten! *g*

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Recently, my daughter told me something that really made me pause. She said, "Optimism is life-changing." The phrase really made me stop and think. I've always considered myself an optimist, trying to look for the good in others, myself, and in the things going on around me.

But life-changing?

ABSOLUTELY!! Why? Because of the power of positive thinking. I'm a firm believer in if you believe something bad will happen--it does. If you believe something great will happen--it will!

I've set aside some writing goals. With hard work, lots of planning, and the support of my family, I will achieve those goals, too. I'm going to continue to wrap myself in my optimism and BELIEVE!

What do you believe? Are you an optimist? Are you ready to change your life?

DIABETES MONDAY~FACT #2

Did you know that if you are a diabetic and become sick you should still take your diabetic medication?

Lately, we have had a special on patients being admitted into our ICU with a condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). This is when blood sugar levels are dangerously high. I'm talking a blood sugar of greater than 400. One patient came in with blood sugars of greater than 1000.

Although there are many reasons DKA happens, the recent cause has been a belief that when a diabetic is sick (like with flu or cold) and they are not eating, they think they shouldn't take their insulin or oral diabetes medication.

Makes sense, right? But this is a completely false belief. In fact, when a diabetic is ill, it is even more important they take their diabetic meds. Why? Because the body requires more sugar at the cellular level in order to fight off the bug that has bitten them. If you don't take your insulin to drag those sugar molecules into the cells, that sugar just sits in the blood stream and doesn't do your body any good.

It is also a good idea to check your blood sugar levels when you are sick more often than you usually do. This way, you know exactly how your body is coping while you are sick.

As always, if you have questions or concerns about your medication while you are sick call your doctor's office and ASK!! There are no dumb questions. No one will think you are bothering the doctor. It is our job to be there for you. If it is after hours, you can certainly call a nurse hotline--any hospital has one and if not, call your local emergency room and ask questions.

TAKE CARE!

Kathleen

If you'd like to help raise money for diabetes research, join Romantic Suspense Author Brenda Novak in May for her fourth online auction for Diabetes. For more information, go to http://www.brendanovak.com/ to learn how you can donate items for the auction or see what has been donated so far. Who knows? Maybe there is a prize on auction for you!

DIDN'T YOU KNOW? THESE GUYS AREN'T JUST EYE CANDY!

Mike Sandulak, Division Chief with the Phoenix Fire Department Public Affairs Section, has been invaluable with my research for my manuscript Dating 911. Here are some things I've learned:

1)On any given day, there are approximately 400 firefighters on duty in Phoenix.

2)They have three shifts: A, B, and C, and work 24 hours on and 48 hours off.

3)Approximately 75% of the calls firemen respond to are medical calls. They also have Haz Mat
teams and Technical Rescue teams that carry specialized equipment as well as ARFF trucks at Sky Harbor Airport.

4)Firefighters have to handle seeing and dealing with tragedy everyday in their jobs and it can take its toll over time. It takes a special person with a great deal of physical and mental toughness to do this job. It is also a very rewarding profession as they help and make a difference in peoples lives every day. The Phoenix Fire Department takes care of its own just like the customers they serve, top notch.

5)They have there own Critical Incident Debriefing Team as well as Father Carl. They also have an excellent Employee Assistance Program. Firmen also take care of their own and are trained to see signs if a fellow Firefighter is having problems. Nothing is really mandatory including time off, but it is always offered if needed or requested.

6)The Phoenix Fire Department's motto is Survive, Prevent Harm, and Be Nice.


Next time you see a fireman tell him "Thanks!" for a job well done!

Now, on to other business. The winner of yesterday's anatomy quiz is Lynnette! Her guess was the closest--ten. There are ELEVEN erogenous zones on the female body. Congratulations! You receive the $5 Barnes and Noble gift card. I'll email you to get your address!!