Prepping & packing for summer tour. Also have 2 final manuscripts due. All this for June 1! Somehow, I am going to squeeze in a workout too!

Soleil & I went to Baton Rouge last nite for celebration (Happy Bday Rebecca & Holly!). Some of u wonder if I ever have fun & play -yes! LOL

Did 2.25 miles @ track. Ramped it up by adding weights & doing intervals of power walking & jogging. Whew! Down 8 lbs... :)

Health Tip: Drink ice cold water. Body burns a few extra calories to "warm up." Over a year, those burned cals add up! Raise your glass!

My 8 yr old, Eliana, surprised me w hot breakfast in bed - scrambled eggs w mozzarella & Laughing Cow swiss on toast. What a sweetie!

Children's authors are the greatest people in the world! I just love 'em! Eric Kimmel, you totally rock! :)

Walked 3.37 miles. Yay! Now cooking Mexican mushroom turkey burgers w homemade guacamole & mock mash tatos fr cauliflower.

Health Tip: Can't stand dry sandwich? Try this substitute. Laughing Cow Light Swiss is 35 cal & 2 g fat compared w mayo's 90 cal & 10 g fat!

Chatted w one of my fave children's authors, Peter Reynolds, author of The Dot. He is such a caring person. An inspiration! Thx, Peter!

Rocked & rolled today! Accomplished much. Put a manuscript to bed (going to production), wrote 2 wkshp proposals & executed book contract.

Follow me on Twitter, my friends! Let's connect! @storyconnection

Research shows apples contain enzyme that staves hunger (4 hrs) & blocks fat absorption. Say no to fries & yes to apples! An apple a day...

Thinking about getting the Mazda5 minivan. It gets great gas mileage (28 mpg hwy) & can fit my equipment. Does anyone own one? Feedback?

Brain buzz - another book idea hatched! Writing it down but not enough time in the world to do it all even on only 4 hrs of sleep! Sigh

Eliana rec'd straight As. So both daughters closed out school yr w 4.0! What more could a mother ask for?! Way to go, Soleil & Eliana! Wow!

Today was Eliana's last day of school. She is promoted to 4th grade. Yes, this occasion officially kicks off our summer!

Finished working on The Treasure of Pirate Jean Lafitte. Research is exhausting! But it's going to be a cool nonfic pic book for kids. :)

Working on new pic bk - Treasure of Pirate Jean Lafitte illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker. Finalized study guide & activities 4 Mama's Bayou

Worked on Mama's Bayou, pic book for Spring 2011. Can't wait to see illustrations complete. Holly Stone-Barker, cut paper artist, rocks!

Greek Festival fun! Ate yum food (Tiropita)! Eliana & I rowed a canoe on the bayou. A blast but now upper body is sore! LOL What a workout!

Hope weather holds out so we can enjoy Greek fest on bayou. Gyro, hummus & spanokopita, here I come! Yum!

Had wonderful book signings @ Sam's Clubs - fans came! One little girl's excitement was contagious - I am filled w joy! Thank u, Gianna!

Saw Night at the Museum 2. Cute movie. Now time for bed. Book signings at 2 Sam's Clubs Sat morn & afternoon. :)

Finished 2.25 miles at the track. Still sore from yesterday's Wii workout! But it feels good to be sore like this! My body's benefiting! :)

Just joined Sparkpeople.com, an awesome FREE way to track your fitness & nutrition goals! Love the food & activity tracker!

My publisher, Libraries Unlimited, was bought by ABC-Clio. They are detail-oriented! Completed lengthy marketing questionnaire 4 next book.

Did my daily exercise using the Wii Fit EA Active. What a workout! (Quoting James Brown:) "I feel good! I knew that I would!"

I luv the Wii Fit! It's awesome that I can work out for 10 min at a time & still work up a sweat. What a great way to break up my wk day!

Gotta psyche myself up to work, exercise, clean & cook dinner. Where is my ofc staff, personal trainer, maid & chef when I need one?! LOL

Answering fan mail & signing autographs. I luv what kids write: "Ms. Dianne you are so cool, funny, nice & crazy in good way. PS You rock!"

I did it! I got Wii Fit AND I also got Wii EA Sports Active, which just came out today. Now I have to get "Mii" fit. LOL

Finished my last school show of 2008-2009 yr. Thank u, Ms. Herrera & 3rd graders of Immaculate Conception School in Marrero, LA. You rock!

Laura Backes interviewed me for Author Podcast in May CBI (Children's Book Insider) Clubhouse. Thk u so much - I am honored!

Loaded van for last school show of 2008-09 school year. 2 wks @ home then on road again for library summer reading tour. :)

Attending nephew's high school graduation. Congratulations, Christian Michael James!

Proud of self for going to track & walking! New goal - 140 lbs by 40 yrs old (Jan).

A cold front swept thru Louisiana. It's 61 degrees in New Orleans in Mid-May! Weird & cool - literally & figuratively. LOL

Too type A to just relax! LOL Cleaned out closet & straightened room.

Fun day! No work. Just shopping with my girls. Yes, we're major shoe-a-holics! LOL

Hallelujah! Story Connection Express newsletter is done & now sending. What a fun issue (zany zoology: weird animals around the world)!

Working on May Story Connection Express Newsltr- Zany Zoology: Weird Animals Around the World. Subscribe @ http://ping.fm/5nNAU

Saw Angels & Demons. Great movie! Glad I read book long ago. It made the movie "fresh." Ron Howard is a great director & I luv Tom Hanks.

Excited that Cajun Cornbread Boy featured on cover of Pelican Publishing's new children's catalog. :)

Had great TV interview w Liz Reyes fr ABC-26 in New Orleans. She is a doll!

Media appearances & book signings are great excuses for retail therapy! LOL Bought gorgeous outfit, shoes & jewelry. Gotta look fab, right?

Publisher set up TV interview for me tmrw w New Orleans local channel ABC-26. Cool!

Thank u to Freshwater Elementary for an amazing afternoon! Ms. Marita & I had a blast! Ooh yeah, cher!

Major flub this morn. Books did NOT arrive @ school where I am signing. Fortunately, easy fix. I have books & will bring w me. Sigh relief.

Never thot I'd lust after Blahniks til I saw the B&W Cage Pony Slide. Yes, the lace is made of pony hair! http://ping.fm/NIs84

Prepping for performances & Cajun Cornbread Boy book signing w illustrator Marita Gentry in Denham Springs, LA. School pre-sold 100 books!