2010 Faves

I wanted to share my favorite photos from 2010!  I am so ready for 2011.  I am going for it all! 

2010 was a fun year, a lot of my goals were accomplished and I am looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish next year!

Wow, that was hard to pick the pictures to put on here, so many good memories.  Thanks for letting me share them with you!

I wish you a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year!  Thank you friends!

Feb Pinky Promise Challenge Recap

So, it is now the 6th of Feb and I have only earned 2 points so far.  I haven't really blogged about my workouts and eating, so this is the place I will be doing it!  I need some accountability and if I know someone is going to be reading what exactly I am doing, then I will do better than I have for the first 5 days!

Here is my plan:

Diet Plan


b - shakeology
s - recovery drink (after workout if needed) or fruit
l - carb meal
s - green drink/smoothie
d - protein meal

water - 64 oz per day



Workout plan

m - insanity workout
t - am - treadmill/running  pm - fit club workout (slim series for Feb)
w - insanity
th - treadmill/running
f - brazil butt lift or turbo fire
s - yoga/stretching
s - complete rest day (if wanted) or treadmill time



So, I am putting it out there and going to post here daily.  This post may get long, but I'll be staying on track better.  Hope you will join me in being accountable.  Remember, we have the challenge on the message boards.  Check in there if you want to help each other through the month!

2-7-10

I didn't want to workout this morning, but I pushed myself and I was sooo glad that I did!  Burned 138 calories in just the warm up.  This is NOT an easy workout!!!  I was dripping sweat by the end and completely DONE!  Drank half of my recovery drink after workout and added in some extra ice.  I needed it.  I was shaking all over!  My shower was definitely needed.

Meals have gone well.
b - shakeology
s - recovery drink (1/2)
l - veggie chili w/ beans and brown rice, daiya cheese and 1 tsp veganaise
s - green lemonade (SUPER YUMMY!!)
d - not sure yet, hoping Brian will want to go for sushi!

I'll be back tomorrow for another recap!

2-8-11

I had a GREAT day!  Got up full of energy and ready to get a good workout in.  Today is treadmill time and I was ready to see what I could do.  I ran for 30 mins (short warm up and cool downs) and went 2.2 miles.  I was pleased.  I think I will be able to do the 5K at this rate.  Keep your fingers crossed!  Then had fit club last night and we did Slim Series, Firm it up!  I am feeling this today.  My hips are killings me.  Those darned hip flexors.

Meals:
b - shakeology
s - bowl of berries (strawberries, blueberries and raspberries) with a drizzle of agave nectar
l - potato soup with pumpkin seeds and 1/4 avocado  - 6 whole wheat crackers
s - green smoothie (blue dino!)  YUM!
d - veggie chili over sweet onion pasta with pickles and onions, 6 more whole wheat crackers

water - 68 oz.

workout - treadmill and firm it up

Ok, so I'm really sore today.  I should've done Insanity today, but since I was so stinkin' sore, decided yoga/stretching was in order instead.  I'm okay with that!!

Amazon begins its KINDLE-BOOK LENDING program, finally - Update3

AMAZON ACTUALLY STARTS KINDLE-BOOK LENDING PROGRAM.

On time too -- year end.
This started as a preview of the new Kindle-book lending feature as described by Amazon.

  I tweeted this development, at about 3:45 PM PST after reading about it on the forums where it was already a busy message thread.

  That main Kindle Team Forum Announcement is at the Amazon Kindle Community forums, and I'm adding a bit more in this update with modifications to the earlier afternoon report .

  REMINDER: If your web browser (especially Firefox) drops you onto the Amazon Kindle Forum's list of topics instead of bringing you directly to a forum thread, click on Refresh or Reload to get the message thread itself -- or click again on the link here.  I don't know why a 'retry' is often needed with the forums, but it is, in my case at least.

Here's the very brief announcement for the blog record:

'                                                   Initial post: Dec. 30, 2010 9:16 AM PST
The Amazon Kindle team says:
(AMAZON OFFICIAL)

Today, we're pleased to launch Kindle Book Lending, a new feature that lets you loan Kindle books to anyone you choose.  The borrower does not need to own a Kindle.  Kindle books can be read on Kindle or using our free Kindle reading applications for PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android devices.  Each eligible book can be lent once for a period of 14 days.  Not all e-books are lendable - the publisher or rights holder determines which titles are enabled for lending.  For more information on how to loan Kindle books, please visit www.amazon.com/kindle-lending.
'

As it is, there is quite a bit of good detail, with illustrations, at the main Kindle-book lending page.

   Kindle-edition subscribers: Do use the computer instead to see that very helpful, detailed Amazon how-to-page for loaning or borrowing Kindle books.
      Type in http://amzn.to/kindle_lending to see it on the computer.  There are too many illustrations there in larger size to load quickly and read comfortably on a small 6" e-reader screen.  I'll use some smaller ones below.

PUBLISHER LIMITATIONS PLACED ON THE LENDING PROGRAM
It works only for books that are approved for lending by them and, as with the B&N Nook's lending program, the features are quite restricted in that you can lend ANY book JUST ONCE and never again.

 As in the physical world, understandably, your lent book can't be read while it's 'out' with someone else.  The borrower gets it for 14 days MAXIMUM and it then disappears from the borrower's Kindle  (UK: K3) or from their free Kindle apps and cannot be re-borrowed.  There's no stay of execution on that 14-day loan, so let them know that 14 days is tops.

  After the loan is completed, that book is no longer lendable by you to anyone.

SHARING BOOKS RATHER THAN LENDING THEM
  But also remember that you can "share" (not loan) Kindle books with others who share one Amazon account (the account owner pays for everything), which is NOT part of the lending program but a very reasonable feature.

LOAN-TRADE SITES
  There are already sites being set up so that people can request and trade a loan if the Kindle owner doesn't need to loan a particular book to someone close and wants a particular book.  A Nook-book loan-trading forum has been popular for awhile.   I imagine the publishers don't love this idea, but with paper books that often now cost LESS than the e-book versions due to publisher-pricing whimsies, those paper-bound books CAN be lent to one and all, and the paper industry has survived through the decades.

 Now that more than one loan-trade site is being set up and I don't want to recommend (rather than report on) this, I've started you off if you want to investigate whether this would work for you and is fair to publishers (only one loan permitted per book would seem to take care of that problem though).
  The sites are being announced on Amazon's own forums and you can find them if you search on "lend book sites" in the forum searchboxes there, on the right.

  I do feel strongly that reasonable lending rights should be given for the considerably higher prices placed lately under the Apple iBook Store Agency model insisted upon by the Big 5 for unlendable books we can't resell or give away to friends.  Let's hope they realize that one loan per book to anyone is not going to make a difference in a world where people have always shared books without being made to feel guilty about it (what are we coming to?), and the margins on e-books are better than they are with paper books.

MAYBE NOT ALL THE BOOKS ARE CATEGORIZED YET
Word is that less than 30% of books are currently categorized as loanable by larger publishers.  In the meantime, when I learned about implementation of book-lending earlier today, I didn't blog it right away, as Amazon seemed in the middle of implementing it all -- any available loanable book descriptions had not shown up (that I could see) in my ManageYourKindle page's books area yet, nor did any books I own and checked show any loaning-info on the Amazon product pages I was exploring.  Maybe more will show as lendable tomorrow.


ILLUSTRATIONS OF SOME OF THE KINDLE-BOOK LENDING PROCESS
Here's an image of what you'd see on your ManageYourKindle page when you click on the "+" sign next to one of your books.

  My current understanding is that when the publisher has not yet approved the book for loaning, no loan wording appears at all.


At the right is an image of what you'd see at the top of a Kindle book's Amazon product page if you own that Kindle book.

  Even with Kindle books you don't own, any loan availability should be shown in the Product Details area further down the product page on the left side.  That'll look similar to the image on the image below.


Does Amazon need to get explicit authorization for the lending program from all publishers?

  That could explain the many books I have that show no lendability information on the ManageYourKindle page, where we can see loan-availability if we EXPAND the '+' symbol on our books to see if they're listed as lendable.


OTHER DETAILS FROM AMAZON'S HELP PAGES
Acceptance of loan
Loan recipients will be notified of the loan through the e-mail address that lenders provide and have seven days to accept the loan.  If not accepted after seven days, the book becomes available again in the lender's Archived Items, at which point the book owner can attempt to loan the book again.

The loan can't be accepted if the borrower already owns the title or that title is not available in the borrower's country due to copyright restrictions.  After the seven-day period, the lender will be able to read and loan the book again.

Notifications
Three days before the end of the 14-day loan period, borrowers will receive a courtesy reminder-email about the loan expiration.
  Both the book lender and the borrower will receive email notifications when the loan period has ended, and the lender can then access the book again through the device's Archived Items grouping and the ManageYourKindle page at Amazon.

  The borrower will receive a notice on the Home screen of the Kindle-compatible device, indicating that the loan has ended and will still be able to view the title from the Archived Items folder as well [how weird], but selecting the title will bring up a reminder that the loan has ended and provide a link to purchase the item (ahah! that explains it -- this way they can be motivated to buy it.).

Early return of a borrowed book
It's often asked if that will be possible.  The recipient CAN return the loaned book early by accessing the Your Orders section of the Manage Your Kindle, clicking on the "+" symbol by the loaned title, clicking to delete the Title and then clicking 'Yes' to confirm the return.

Checking the status of the loan
  Again, use the Manage Your Kindle page.  Click on the "+" symbol next to any title to view more details for any book that you've loaned or borrowed, including how much time might be left.

Is lending available internationally?  In Amazon's words:
  "At this time, Kindle book lending can only be initiated by customers residing in the United States.  If a loan is initiated to a customer outside the United States, the borrower may not be able to accept the loan if the title is not available in their country due to publisher geographical rights.

  In these cases the borrower will be notified of this during the Loan redemption process, and the book reading and lending rights will return to the lender at the end of seven days from loan initiation. You can always check the status of a loan by viewing the book on the Manage Your Kindle page."
_______


In the end, although the forumners were restless about this, Amazon did meet its year-end goal, and the restrictions are not theirs, although forum threads indicate that many don't know this.

 Again, most I've read seem to feel that it's better to have loaned and lost (further loan-rights on a book) than never to have loaned at all.   :-)


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's),   DX Graphite

---

Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or highest-rated ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

advanced birthday gift

I know I told myself I won't buy a new one anytime soon after my major purchase just last month, but I can't help it...it's in pink and it's so pretty! Thanks to Cristy, I'll soon have the new Mia Signature Embroidered Scarf Print Maggie...just in time for my birthday! :)

2011 Dreams

I can't believe that it is almost 2011 already!  REALLY!  I'm still feeling like it should just now be fall!  So strange.  The years do go by faster and I get older.

I completed my vision/dream board yesterday and want to share it with you all here!  I'm happy with the way it turned out, not as colorful as last year's and not as many pictures, but that is just the way it goes!

On the back of the page, I listed out my goals/dreams for the year. 

I didn't take a photo, but this is what I put on it:

Pray more
Love more
Laugh more
Work harder
Play harder
Get organized
5 Star Diamond Coach
Triple my income
Complete Turbo Fire and Brazil Butt Lift Rotation
Do a Pull up unassisted
Increase readership/participation on the blog
Do more yoga
Travel as much as possible
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Drink more water
Learn Spanish
Have fun!

I think those are all do-able!

I posted the Jan 2011 Challenge on the message boards!  I hope that you will join in.  I love getting to know people better through the message boards.  It will be a challenge, but we can all get through it together!

Discussion:  Do you list out your goals each year?  Do you make a vision/dream board?  If you do, I'd love to see a photo, please share!

Interview w/ Amazon Kindle-Content head + How many millions of Kindles?

INTERVIEW WITH AMAZON'S RUSS GRANDINETTI

The Los Angeles Times' Alex Pham gets some interesting responses from Russ Grandinetti, who is in charge of content for the Kindle  (UK: K3).

  After pointing out that Amazon currently controls 76% of the U.S. digital books market, Pham gives a brief history of the tensions between the publishing industry and Amazon's efforts to keep bestselling book prices lower, with a $9.99 or less standard that "infuriated a number of established publishers, who feared that digital sales would undercut the lucrative hardcover market."

  Yes, think "The Big5" who did admit to fears that selling e-books at that price would 'devalue' their books, meaning their hardcover books.

  Here are some excerpts:

' ...And its promise in October to give authors who self-publish through its Kindle store a 70% royalty rate, far greater than the 25% in a standard publishing contract, spread fear and loathing throughout New York's publishing houses.

Some folks are irked that they can't easily transfer digital books they bought elsewhere into their Kindles.  Why did you choose a proprietary technology?

We chose a format that we felt would give us better performance and superior ease of use.  It's the reason why the Kindle has faster page turns than some of the other devices.  Because we control our own standard, we can develop applications that let customers read Kindle books on the iPhone, Android tablet, iPad, BlackBerrys and PC.
. . .

Publishers kicked up quite a fuss about digital book prices being too low. Can you actually grow the overall business by shrinking prices?

We think digital books should cost somewhat less than their print counterparts. When we controlled the pricing, we built the business around $9.99.  A small group of publishers have taken control of their pricing, and they've raised the prices.  It's not surprising that publishers who are raising prices are losing market share relative to publishers who decided to keep prices low.  Customers aren't stupid.  Ultimately, the market will drive prices.


Aren't you losing money by paying publishers 50% of the cover price for a $25 hardcover and selling it for $9.99?

Taking a loss on bestselling books is different than taking a loss on your overall book business.  We may lose money on bestsellers, but across the breadth of our catalog, we run a profitable, sustainable book business.


Do publishers now see you as a rival rather than a customer because of your self-publishing business?

We think the efficiencies of selling digital books should not only accrue to publishers but should also accrue to authors.  That means that the middlemen standing between authors and readers need to get more efficient, and they need to pass those savings along.  The 70% [royalty] rate we offer is a way to pass those efficiencies along. '

I left out quite a bit, of course, so be sure to read the full interview.


HOW MANY MILLIONS DID HARRY POTTER'S FINAL BOOK SELL?
For those looking for figures, Amazon insiders had already whispered, to Bloomberg last week, Kindle-device sales of 8 million by end of 2010.   The Daily Planet Dispatch's Martha Astbury and, it seems, every other newspaper, quoted the Amazon press release on the Kindle 3 having passed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as Amazon's bestselling product of all time.

What would that mean?  Astbury points out that Amazon sold 2.5 million copies of that final book in the series (in its debut quarter, per MSNBC) when it was released in mid 2007, three years ago, "and it's safe to asusme they've sold quite a few since then."

Columnists have been trying to explain for weeks why, early this year, their dire predictions of the Kindle's death by iPad by end of 2010 were so wrong.

 The most curious one was by Nick Bilton of the New York Times, who outdid himself by yet again not getting it in that he "admits" that he was "wrong" and then lists a number of reasons why the Kindle is so popular with others (despite his own value system), BUT he doesn't even begin to mention the primary reason - the e-Ink technology that makes it SO EASY on the eyes relative to reading a long-form novel on an LCD screen.

  There ARE people whose eyes need a lot of contrast, and dark gray (or black in the Kindle 3) on light gray may not work for them.  But in reading the NookColor forum, I was amused to see people saying that they can read books just fine by choosing a color scheme that turns the white background to gray.  It does help not to have bright white coming at your eyes and I always turn down the background on my computer screens and my NookColor.

  Back to reading novels -- A novel involves serial, long-session reading of one word after another with no relief from web-browsing's shifting of eyes from this to that area or object.  On an LCD screen which is more or less, for some, like having a dimmed flashlight beaming into your eyes, long-form reading can be a bit fatiguing.  There are those who don't mind it.

  Younger eyes may have less trouble, but an e-reader that mimics the experience of seeing light on a paper book rather than into your eyes has been a real attraction for literally millions now.  There are countless posts on forums about how new Kindle-3 owners felt the words they saw upon unboxing their new e-reader were printed in boldface on something that should be peeled off the screen, only to find out that WAS the screen display.

 Instead, as usual with many tech columnists (gadgeteers by profession) who cannot imagine anyone valuing JUST reading rather than forever surfing, checking email, and watching movies, he cites only that it's lightweight, easy to use, "and most importantly, inexpensive."

Well, of course -- isn't that why all the $99 and other cheap tablets on the market are doing SO WELL? Because they're inexpensive? No, he again misses the point and doubles up on his wrongheadedness by ending with more advice to Amazon that the Kindle will have to get yet cheaper to stay viable -- because he can't imagine that a device just for reading books (primarily) could possibly be of much value to people when positioned against LCD tablets (as he does again).

Granted, if something like Notion Ink's Adam actually makes it to production, with a capability of paper-like display and LCD color in one package, then Amazon will need to adjust its focus, but that's just normal business development.

  Astbury (or her source columnist at MSNBC) gets it though.   She explains:

' Many of the new customers for the e-book readers already have tablets and love them for their touchscreens, their color and their multimedia uses, such as web browsing, movies and games.

But they still like to have a light-weight device they can use exclusively for reading, which doesn’t use up batteries as fast, and uses e-ink technology, rather than colored pixels, which forms a better image for reading... '

  I'm enjoying my NookColor for magazines and the web (WiFi only), but when I leave the house I take the Kindle, as it has free cellular 3G access, is easier to read in daylight (by far), is better for newspaper and book reading, and is very light.  The cost of it has nothing to do with why I choose it as the e-reader that's always with me.  It just provides more of what I personally like, but the NookColor is a great secondary reader despite many quirks which I've already mentioned in a past blog article.  One unusual item for other NookColor users to watch is a charger vulnerability that has 4 reports there.

Ah, it figures.  EWeek has two opposing columns on the Kindle-sales story: one that gives 10 reasons why Kindle sales keep growing, with people who want e-readers, and will continue to do so in 2011 and another column that "explains" that Bezos' statements about the happy co-existence of iPad and Kindle is probably due to his "anxiety" over the "looming threat of the iPad."


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's),   DX Graphite

---

Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or highest-rated ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

ice cream

Ooohhh...I likey especially the Peppermint Mocha one! I wonder if S&R has these. I saw some other flavors last week but not these ones yet. Better check it out tomorrow :)

Here we are in Memphis

Brian and I have been taking photos of ourselves just about everywhere.  In these photos, you can't tell where the heck we are.  So, it has become a running joke for us and several of our friends.  We are actually at the Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, but it may look similar to the one we took in Memphis,

San Antonio

or New Mexico.....

Can you tell a difference???  

Discussion:  Do you take your own photos like this or are we the only weird ones????/

Fit Club Tuesday!

This is a special Fit Club Tuesday!  This is the LAST Fit Club of 2010!!  We are going out with a BANG!

Me and Leah at the P90X video tryouts in Oct!!

Missouri Team Beachbody Event

Tuesday, December 28
7:00pm - 9:00pm

Carl Junction Community Center
303 N. Main ∙ Carl Junction, MO

Join us to learn how Beachbody, the creator of the popular fitness programs — P90X, Insanity, Brazil Butt Lift, Slim in 6, Turbo Jam, Power 90, Hip Hop Abs, and Shakeology "The Healthiest Meal of the Day" — is reversing the obesity epidemic.

7 PM - Team Beachbody Business Briefing Leah Reding will share information about Beachbody's amazing fitness programs, nutritional supplements, support community and incredible business opportunity.

8 PM - P90X Workout   Dana Moritz will lead us all in a fun workout from P90X. We will be doing Cardio X.  This is a great overview of all the cardio workouts and yoga!  LOVE IT!  Please come in comfortable workout clothes, with towel and bottle of water.

8: 45 PM - Shakeology Tasting  This ultra-premium health shake provides antioxidants to fight free radicals, a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, prebiotics and enzymes for better digestive health, and 15 grams of protein to keep you full—all in 140 calories. Replacing just one meal with a Greenberry or Chocolate shake can help you achieve optimal health, increase your energy, and lose weight.

Contact Information:
Dana Moritz 417.434.4871 dana@missourifitclub.com
Leah Redling 402.610.6447 leah@bigredgym.com

Decide. Commit. Succeed.
There is only 3 days left for the FREE Beachbody coach signups.  We need YOUR help!  Get fit physically and financially and help others to do the same!  Let's ALL work TOGETHER to end this trend of obesity!  JOIN NOW! 
 

 
FIT CLUB RECIPE: 
 
Since the weather is so stinkin' cold everywhere, soup is on my mind.  This is a GREAT recipe that is made with things from the fridge!  Enjoy!
 
Rustic Vegetable Soup - Quinoa 365:  The Everyday Superfood by Patricia Green and Carolyn Hemming
 
1 tbsp butter ( I use Earth Balance)
4 cups chopped white button mushrooms ( can use a any type)
3/4 cup diced Spanish onion
3/4 cup halved and thinly sliced leek (white part only)
1/2 cup diced celery
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
3/4 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced zucchini
1/4 cup quinoa
2 tsp minced fresh basil or 1/2 tsp dried
freshly ground black pepper (optional)
 
Melt the butter in a large saucepan on medium heat.  Saute the mushroom, onlin, leek, celery, garlic and salt until the begetables have softened, about 12 mins
 
Add the stock, carrots, zucchini, quinoa and basil and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer,  cover and cook for 20 mins.  Season with pepper (if using) and serve.
 
I like this with a good crusty bread or cornbread.  Enjoy!
 
 
 
 

For New and Olde Kindlers Wanting to Do More with their Kindles

CREATIVE USES OF THE KINDLE
Well, pleasurable reading is good enough for most, but there is a lot more that can be done with the Kindle, as shown in the short list just below.
  (I recommend bookmarking this for quick access later.)

  1. an old, continuing favorite forum thread about the more unique uses of the Kindle's capabilities thought up by members of the Amazon Kindle Community, and I saw another idea added today.

  2. a newer forum thread of favorite tips for new Kindle owners from Kindle oldtimers.

NOTE: If your web browser (especially Firefox) drops you onto the Amazon forum list of topics instead of bringing you to the forum thread, click on Refresh or Reload to get the message thread itself -- or click on the link again.  I don't know why a 'retry' is often needed, but it is.

  3. The Kindle Chronicles
  This is a very informative, fun resource for Kindlers at http://thekindlechronicles.com, a weekly podcast hosted by Len Edgerly who, each Friday night, brings us a roundup of the latest news (with links), excellent tech tips, an interview with someone from the Kindle world at large and some from just outside it who are of course in the Kindle net then :-)  Len also presents video reviews as well.  At the site are summaries of what is included in the latest podcast report.  Links are given there for items mentioned in the podcast.

  4. the new Kindle book by Stephen Windwalker, who has been explaining what can be done on Kindles since the Kindle 1, and this just-released book that includes info for the Latest Generation Kindles is only $0.99, which is more than a bargain.


STARTING GUIDE - BY AMAZON KINDLE SUPPORT TEAM - TOP10 FAQs
To START, though, Amazon has made a new 'Announcement' in the forums which introduces Kindlers to Kindle Top Ten FAQ's, and oldtimers add to the thread, explaining some of it from their experience and helping some there who have specific problems starting out.

Here is a regular WEB version of Kindle Team's TOP10 FAQs with active links (bracketed comments are mine).

  I'll keep a link to this post in the right-hand reference column of the web blog).

'                       Last edited by the author on Dec. 25, 2010 10:35 AM PST

Amazon Kindle Customer Service says:
(AMAZON OFFICIAL)

Did you recently receive Kindle as a gift? Welcome to our growing family of Kindle users!  To help you quickly get started with your new Kindle, we've created a list of some of the most common questions new users have:

1. How can I start reading on my new Kindle?

Visit our Getting Started page to see the simple steps (including videos) to start reading on your new Kindle right now:

  http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_200580340_gettoknow?nodeId=200580340


2. How do I set up the Wi-Fi connection on my Kindle (Latest Generation)?

Kindle (Latest Generation) automatically detects nearby Wi-Fi networks and hotspots that broadcast their network name.  You can watch a video about how to connect to a Wi-Fi network here:

  http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200588130#connect

For more information on how to connect to a Wi-Fi network see our guide here:

  http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200505540&#setupwifi

  [Note that you can click to get larger videos, if wanted, at the video pages.]


3. How do I apply and use a gift card to purchase Kindle titles?

To use an Amazon.com Gift Card for purchases from the Kindle Store, redeem the gift card in Your Account (http://www.amazon.com/your-account).  Any gift card balance available on your account will be applied to purchases from the Kindle Store, except for content with recurring subscription charges.

To successfully complete your purchase, you'll need to establish your home country or region and set a valid 1-Click billing address.  You can set your billing address at the link below:

  http://www.amazon.com/gp/css/account/address/view.html.

  [The billing-address page sometimes takes a while to load.]


4. How do I register/deregister my Kindle?

From Amazon.com, you can register or deregister via the Manage Your Kindle page

  (http://www.amazon.com/myk).

From your Kindle, select Home > Menu > Settings > Register or Deregister.


5. How do I start shopping in the Kindle Store?

You can shop in the Kindle Store directly from Kindle or from Amazon.com.  Shopping the Kindle Store on your Kindle is a convenient way to find and buy Kindle books, newspapers, magazines, and if you are a U.S. customer, Kindle active content and blogs for your Kindle.  If you are in your wireless coverage area, your purchases from the Kindle Store are delivered to your Kindle, typically in less than 60 seconds.

  [KINDLE SHORTCUT: If on the Kindle, press Alt-Home keys at the same time.]


6. How do I give a Kindle book as a gift or redeem a Kindle book that I received as a gift?

To gift a Kindle book, click the Give as a Gift button located under the Buy button on Kindle Store product detail pages, and follow the prompts to complete your order.

You can find more information about Kindle book gifts here:

  http://www.amazon.com/help/kindlegift


7. Are there any free books available for Kindle?

The Kindle Store contains the largest selection of the books people want to read.  This includes the most popular classics for free with wireless delivery in under 60 seconds to your Kindle, computer, or other mobile device.

Learn more: Free eBook Collections (http://www.amazon.com/b?node=2245146011)

  [Also see this blog's Free Kindle Books for more.]


8. Can I read Kindle books if I don't have my Kindle with me?

You can read anywhere with our free reading apps, no Kindle required. Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes your last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across your devices.

To download: (http://www.amazon.com/kindleapps)


9. I have the Kindle (Wi-Fi), but I don't have a Wi-Fi network at home.  Can I still buy and download books from home?

  If you don't have a Wi-Fi network set up in your home, you have the following options for receiving Kindle content:

I. If your Kindle was recently ordered, you may return the Kindle (Wi-Fi) and purchase the Kindle 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi).  The added convenience of 3G enables you to download books anytime, anywhere, while on the go-without having to find a Wi-Fi hotspot connection.

  The full Return Policy is posted on the Kindle Support pages
    (http://www.amazon.com/kindlereturnpolicy).
  You can process your return and print a mailing label by visiting our
    Online Returns Center (http://www.amazon.com/returns).

II. Even without a home Wi-Fi network, you can still buy content from the Kindle Store and access your Kindle items Archived on Amazon.com through your computer and transfer them via USB to your Kindle.  Information about transferring content to your Kindle with USB is available on our Kindle Support pages here:

  http://www.amazon.com/kindletransfer

III. You can purchase a home Wi-Fi router to establish a Wi-Fi network in your home with which the Kindle can connect.


10. I have a problem with my Kindle, what should I do?

If you're experiencing software or hardware issues with your Kindle, please reach us by phone for personalized support.  You can reach us by phone directly and toll free from many countries by clicking the Contact Us option in the right-hand column of our Kindle Support pages at:

  http://www.amazon.com/kindlesupport

Contacting us through the website allows you to verify security before a call is placed and ensures we have your account information ready when we call you.  If your country isn't listed or you're unable to take advantage of the Contact Us feature, you can call us directly at 1-866-321-8851 or 1-206-266-0927 if you're calling from outside the U.S.


Still have questions?

Additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions, how to use Kindle, and the Kindle User's Guide can be accessed from our Kindle Support pages here:

  http://www.amazon.com/kindlesupport

Happy Reading! '

The "Do More" idea is represented by an overview, at the top, of what Kindle owners have enjoyed doing beyond reading a book and there'll be more detail in the new year.

Be sure to check the reference-section in the right-hand column of the website version of this blog, for guides to making Collections, using the Send Passage to Facebook and Twitter features, and many other tips.

  In the coming weeks, I'll be updating those and streamlining them a bit in newly modified blog articles that can also be read on the Kindle edition of the blog for those with not enough time to get here regularly.

NOTE: At the end of each more-recent blog entry, you'll see ready-made links to getting the very latest temporarily-free Kindle books available whenever you're curious about what has been offered since you last checked, sorted by publication date, most recently posted, best-selling, etc.  These are links to both the Amazon-US and Amazon-UK sites.  Also there are links to information on all free books available for your Kindle.


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's),   DX Graphite

---

Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or highest-rated ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

a big sigh

That is how I feel today.  Just a big sigh!  Christmas is over, I still have to put away the tree, probably will get that done next weekend and I think I'm done cleaning up after the big day!  *sigh*

We had a GREAT Christmas.  Our family is ever growing, but we managed to get a family photo!  I really love getting to spend time with my family.  Nothing better!

The Whole Gang

Our family

So, I am now looking forward to the new year!  2010 was a good year for us, many great things happened.  Brian got off his crutches and is walking fairly normally!  Nick and Lauren got engaged, I reached several of my goals, we traveled as much as possible and had a blast at just about everything we did! 

I'll be making my dream/vision board this week, I'm planning my workouts and my goals for 2011!  I'm going to be doing a FULL round of Turbo Fire.  I started yesterday.  It is one of my favorite workouts and I know that I will see amazing results!

This is my vision board from last year. 

Many of the things I wanted accomplished were marked off.  I did more yoga, I had more fun, we got a RV and traveled, I cooked more, ate healthy most of the time, spent time with family and friends.  I didn't run a 5K, I have tried running on several occasions and my knees just won't cooperate.  I'm okay with that.  I still can't do a pullup without assistance, and I don't have the body of my dreams - yet!  I know what I need to work on this year!

Make your own vision board, it is really easy, I highly encourage it!  Just cut out photos, sayings, anything that you like, whatever you are drawn to.  Then get a poster board and glue or tape the items on.  Then I frame mine and keep it on the fireplace in the family room.  This way I am looking at it daily and reminding myself what I want to accomplish!  Last year I was mostly family oriented after Brian's accident.  I was all about having fun and living life.  I'm not sure what this year's journey will be, but I know it will be good!  I'll be posting a photo of my new board as soon as I get it done this week!  I'd love to see yours!

Discussion:  Do you feel relieved when the holidays are over?  Do you use a vision board?

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Merry Christmas to you all!  I am so thankful for all of you!  I wish you the best Christmas Ever!!

I have opened one gift, Brian gave it to me before everyone got here this morning.  It's absolutely beautiful and means so much more to me since he made it for me!  I love it!

I filled it with candy this morning, so everyone can enjoy it as well!!

Food is cooking, family is here, kids are on the way.  All is right with the world today! 

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

Merry Reading to All Kindlers Olde and New :-)

AMAZON'S GIFTING OF KINDLE BOOKS CAN'T BE SCHEDULED AHEAD OF TIME
BUT TODAY'S PROBABLY AN APROPOS DAY :-)

This is just a reminder that Amazon did finally make it possible to gift a Kindle book or books to anyone with an email address -- no Kindle required.  Kindle Books can be read on Kindle devices, of course, but also on free Kindle reading apps for iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC, BlackBerry and Android-based devices.

  For more information on gifting Kindle books (a feature long-requested by Kindle owners), see amzn.to/givekindlebooks.

  To use the feature, choose a book in the Kindle Store, select "Give as a Gift" and send the gift to anyone with an email address.  Notifications of Kindle Books gifts are delivered instantly via e-mail, and the recipient redeems the gift in the Kindle Store to read on any Kindle or free Kindle app.

For convenience, here again is the tiny FAQ at the givekindlebooks page linked earlier above:

'

Frequently Asked Questions about Giving Kindle eBooks

• Do I have to own a Kindle to give or receive a Kindle ebook as a gift?
  No. Kindle ebooks can be given and received by anyone with an e-mail address.  Kindle ebooks can be read either on Kindle or on your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, or Android Phone using one of our free reading apps.

• What if the recipient doesn't like or want their gift?
  Kindle ebooks received as gifts can be exchanged for Amazon.com gift cards.

• Are all Kindle ebooks eligible to be given as gifts? All ebooks available for purchase in the Amazon.com Kindle Store can be given as gifts. '

If you don't have a book in mind, Amazon editors' picks for the best books of the year may give you an idea.

1. "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
2. "Faithful Place: A Novel" by Tana French
3. "Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War" by Karl Marlantes
4. "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand
5. "The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration" by Isabel Wilkerson
6. "Freedom: A Novel" by Jonathan Franzen
7. "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" by Stieg Larsson
8. "To the End of the Land" by David Grossman
9. "Just Kids" by Patti Smith
10. "The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine" by Michael Lewis

Also, here is the November 5 blog article on other Amazon best-book links for 2010 so far.

Hope all enjoy the day, free of offices and job duties (for most), but keeping in mind those laboring in the kitchens to provide the special pleasures of the holly day.

Photo credit: http://www.desktopexchange (Free desktop wallpaper offered)


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's),   DX Graphite

---

Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.
UK-Only: recently published non-classics, bestsellers, or highest-rated ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

Christmas Wish

It's during the holidays that being apart really sucks big time...but we just have to make do for now. Miss you so much, dear! I really wish you're here...Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. Our tradition is to prepare a big feast for Noche Buena on the eve of the 24th, open the gifts on the morning of the 25th, have Christmas breakfast with the entire family then head off to our family reunions - lunch with the Viloria's, hear mass, then dinner with the Hizon's.

As usual, we were still shopping and wrapping up gifts at the last minute, while preparing for the evening's Noche Buena in between - good thing all of us are very good at multi-tasking! Hahaha. I'm again in charge of setting the table, and putting out all the holiday plates and sprucing up the table for a festive meal adds more to the excitement that Christmas is just a couple of hours away.

This time around, we decided to have a full menu again...forget about the diet!

We had Mushroom Duxelle Vol-au-vent, Creamy Chicken Vol-au-Vent, and Salmon with Dill Pistachio Mousseline with Caviar for appetizers:

Cranberry salad with Chicken, Grapes, Walnuts and Cheese:

Roast Stuffed chicken (we originally wanted turkey but given that there were only 5 of us, it might take us 'til the New Year to finish it!) with Mashed Potatoes as the main course:

And for dessert, we had mini Mango Chiboust, mini Samba cake and the Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake:

It was a very delicious and filling meal that it took us a couple of hours more before we finally headed to bed. Tomorrow's gonna be a busy day, but before we get lost in all the holiday festivities, let's not forget the real reason for this season...Happy Birthday, Jesus! Here's wishing a very Merry Christmas to everyone :)