The Big Reveal -- Mini-Vagabonding!

Deek and I have been teasing a little online about a big surprise coming up! Well, it's here!

So what's going on? You know that Deek and I want to become "professional" vagabonds in the future, right? Well, we have some very important reasons why we can't do that full time right now. However, it got us thinking...why can't we do a mini-vagabond? So, Deek got permission to work remotely (I already work remotely), and now we're spending a month--pets too--at the BEACH!!!!

Everyone loves the ocean!

OMG! I am so, so, so excited! We both *love* the beach, and the notion that we get to spend all this time here blows my mind. When we wrapped up work, we went for a two hour walk on the beach, hand in hand. So romantic and a perfect way to end the evening. 

But the evening kept being awesome when we also got to have dinner with my dad. Because guess what?? We inspired our parents to vagabond too! So, we'll be spending extra time with both Deek's parents and my parents over the course of the month. We have some pretty cool adventures planned with them, so I'm stoked about that too!!

We are both blessed with super cool, super fun parents 

who all get along swimmingly with each other!

And let me give you some Dave Ramsey-esque tips:

--Plan, plan plan: Deek and I have been planning and budgeting for this trip for a year. He requested permission to work remotely in December of 2018 in preparation. We've also been saving and allocating budget funds to this trip since then. So, everything is paid for, and we're here to have fun without financial worries!

Planning: 

It gives you such peace of mind to know

you aren't racking up debt on your adventures!

--AirBnB: If you rent a place for a whole month from AirBnB, it's cheaper than renting for two week (sometimes cheaper than renting for one week!). You can get anywhere from 30-75% off your stay just for booking for a month. So, Deek and I were able to get one of those huge markdowns. We are living it up in style in a beautiful home right by the beach, and we obtained permission to bring both our cat and our dog (for no extra charge!). 

I'd say they like their new digs!

--A great practice in minimalism: We don't own much that is of value because we don't place value in stuff. And since 2014, we've been working on paring our lives down and becoming minimalists. Being able to bring only what you can fit in your car, for a whole month of living, is a great minimalist test. I, for one, am thrilled because I've been wanting to test out the capsule wardrobe concept. I only brought pieces that I love and that can be mixed and matched, and I'm going to see how I do wearing only those clothes for a month. If I "pass" my own test, I'll be getting rid of what I didn't bring and start doing the minimalist wardrobe!

I am so excited to be on this adventure, to take a break from our regular life and do something different and out of the box. But more than anything, I'm SO very thankful to be doing it with my family, the people I love the most. And I am STOKED to be here with Deek--my best friend, my partner, and my true love! He makes everything in life so much fun!

I adore this man so much!

Life Changes

Hey y'all! It's about to be summa, summa, summa up in here! WOOT!! I am so freakin' excited! Give me a hot day over a cold one any day of the year! ;)

Throwback to our honeymoon after the 2nd/Southern wedding!

Speaking of throwback and the 2nd/Southern wedding, Deek and I just celebrated another anniversary! Let me tell you, life with this man just keeps getting better and better. Every day I think I can't love him any more than I did the day before, and yet, I do! He is my dream come true, and I adore him epically!

And now... 

More in love than ever and having a blast!

And if you needed more proof that my hubby rocks, may I present his latest "just because" gift to me...

OMG! YES!

House Stark forever!!

Okie dokie, now let's talk about some changes that have been in the works.

Eating: For the past five years or so, I've struggled with my thyroid and adrenal failure. Before Deek, I lived a *super* stressful life, and living that way for so long has lasting effects (see my posts about that here and here).  If you know anything about thyroid problems and adrenal failure, you know it's almost impossible to lose weight.

I'd had success with South Beach and paleo in the past, so Deek and I gave those a shot. We worked out and we ate right and...nothing. I might bounce down a pound or two, but it would always come back. Many times, I'd look at my husband and say, "Screw it. I might as well eat pizza and Coke every day for all the good this diet is doing me!"

I still think pizza may be the most perfect food ever invented...

Also, I had been having pain in my stomach every time I ate. Back in January 2017, I had a stomach virus, and my tummy has not been happy since. A doctor said when your stomach goes through a trauma like a bad virus or something like that, it can take up to two years to fully heal. Think of it like this...if you break your arm, you put it in a cast, and it heals. But your stomach is never "off duty."

Enter keto. I'd been reading about it a lot and considering it for a long time, but everyone said, "Don't do it if you have a thyroid problem. It will shut your thyroid down!" So, I stayed away, but it kept creeping up the back of my mind. One day, I told Deek I was going to devote some time to really studying this eating plan and see if it would mess my thyroid up even more.

Confession, I freakishly love to research. I mean, I *really* love it. I need some kind of job where I just research stuff for people. Anyhoo, I found a way to make keto work with the thyroid. After Deek and I discussed it, we decided to give it a try.

Y'all, I am losing weight! It's slower than most keto people because of my thyroid and adrenals, but it's happening!!! I had this pair of shorts that did not fit me in April. I'm talking about I looked like a sausage being stuff into casing--that bad. But I wore those shorts yesterday, and they were super loose. What the heck??

But more than that, I *feel* good. My stomach does not hurt at all anymore, and I have energy like crazy. Now, I'm not a doctor (check with professionals if you're considering a diet change), so y'all take this anecdotal story with a grain of salt. But man, it's changed my life!

In addition to eating keto, I do HIIT workouts, tabatas, and interval running.

I spoke to my mom yesterday, and she decided to do keto also. She said she's losing weight and feeling great. She said "Keto even works for old people." LOL! She's not old BTW. ;)

Ain't she purty? And definitely *not* old.

Since this blog post is already super long, I'll save my next change for my next post. In that, I'll be talking about my new facial regime (it's not for any sales company). I make it at home, and it's revolutionized my face. 

I'll leave you with this recent photo of me and Deek doing what we do--having fun together. Until next time... 

It's you. It's always been you, and it'll always be you!

Heads Down

Hey, y'all! I've been heads down lately working on an editing project on my Erin Rhew Editing and Design side as well as finishing up my latest book to be pitched on #PitMad!

I am pleased to say I have finally finished the Molly and Ryder story, and it finally has a name--THE TRANSHUMAN PROJECT! Woot!! I have always been a huge sci-fi person, so I'm thrilled to have a sci-fi book ready for the world to see. And when I pitched on #PitMad, I got some hits, so I'm thrilled about that! YAY!

Here's the image I imagine for The Transhuman Project!

Both Deek and I have been buried in projects. He's working on The Injector, the sequel to The Extractor. He's almost done with the "creative vomit," and then he'll start the long, arduous process of editing. I finished The Transhuman Project, and I've decided that I'll rewrite Restore To Me from solely the women's perspective. So, that's the next thing I'm tackling.

But though we've been busy writing, we haven't forgone all the fun! Here's some of the shenanigans we've been up to lately.

Recently it was International Women's Day, 

so I had to give props to these and all the other AMAZING women in my life!

We had a warm snap, so I could work outside in our three-season room with this little nugget.

Blooming trees and a bird's nest...spring is almost here.

Although, they are forecasting snow this weekend. <insert pout>

Trinity LOVES her Daddy. She's *such* a Daddy's girl!

Who can say no to this face?!?

Thanks to generous gift cards, Deek and I were able to get a much-needed couple's massage.

I got a new sign for my desk. "Sweatpants Zone" represent.

When you wake up and look like a pineapple. #ShortHairProblems

The latest books to be released by Tenacious Books Publishing!

Aren't they purty?

Deek got free tickets to a hockey game from his work. 

It included a VIP parking pass and a food voucher.

 So, naturally, we got nachos with said food voucher.

I may be lactose intolerant, but I can't resist nachos!

Spring is coming, y'all! I'm so thankful to have schlogged through another winter and made it to the other side! So, I'll leave you with this beautiful thought...

Da beach...

OMG with the snow...

So, you know I'm a Southern girl, right? And you know I prefer summers and beaches, right? Well, in January alone, the South has seen unprecedentedly low temperatures and two snowstorms. UGH! And if the weather rumors are correct (and who can know that since they're not even correct the day things are happening), we might get more in February. GAH! Is it summer yet?

The first snow didn't produce too much, but it was enough to shut down the South for a day or two.

But Deek got to work from home! YAY!

And we drank lots of tea from our cool Star Trek looking teapot!

The second time around, it came down a little more!

I don't hide my feelings on the matter. LOL!

But, it made a cool view from our three season room.

I *love* that room!

The bright sun shimmering off the snow highlighted Trinity in a glow of kitty beauty!

Gus was so cold, he wanted to sit inside my jacket. LOL!

One time, I chose to go into the snow and go tubing on Mt. Hood with Deek.

Y'all, these trees in Oregon are everything... <3

It's not really relevant, but I just love the picture.

While we were snowed it, at least Deek got to work from home, by my side, for several more days. That's the one benefit of snow...more time with my man!! And we'd done a good job of stocking up on food, so we didn't have any problems there. In fact, the night it started snowing hard, we cooked up several batches of meals to use in the coming days. We kinda ate like kings...albeit healthy kings. LOL! By the end, I'd almost run out of Aloha bars, Bai drinks, and plantains, but our stock held until it was safe to venture out again.

Snack of gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free champions! ;) 

We enjoyed movies, popcorn, and Bai drinks in the presence of the great and mighty Trinity!

Then finally, finally, all the snow melted, and the South returned to its regularly scheduled program (50-60 degree days)! Deek and I went for a 5+ mile walk because we were SO happy to feel the glorious sun on our faces and feel the warmth against our skin!

This man, y'all. I had *no* idea it was possible to be this happy or this in love.

Deek is my dream come true! <3

Deek's kisses are hotter than the sun! <3

Meanwhile, our gym handed out free flowers to help combat the January blahs.

How cool is that?

And we *had* to put them in a Mason jar because...the South. ;) 

Thankfully, January is almost over. Only one more month to go before spring makes its glorious appearance. Until then, I'll be over here dreaming about the beach and the sun so hot if feels like it's eating your skin. ;) 

PS. I've been so busy with the latest changes in our lives and so obsessed with surviving the snow, I realized I didn't do a post on Illogicon!! We had a fabulous time there and met some amazing people, so stay tuned for that post soon!

Until next time, stay warm, and may the sun be ever on your face. ;)

Crystal Coast Con 2017

This year, we headed down to the Crystal Coast to participate in our second year of Crystal Coast Con!! We love everything about this con--the people who run it, the people who attend it, the unique venue, and the beach! Over the last year, we've been to a lot of cons, and we always compare them to Crystal Coast Con! ;)

Come see what we love so much...

On the way there, we stopped for a little beach time.

Hubba hubba...that driver! ;) 

Deek and I were thrilled to put our toes in the sand!

Gorgeous sunset!

This is the face you make when you're supposed to be eating paleo, but the Dunkin Donuts next door touts Maple Bacon Sandwiches...

Deek got to set up his new banner! WOOT! Awesome job, Anita!

Let's talk about fantasy!!

Team Tenacious right here! 

Two Tenacious Books Publishing authors together again!

Deek Rhew and Chrissy Lessey

Y'all, we met Denise Crosby. For those of you who are Trekkies, you'll recognize this beauty as Tasha Yar!! Let me tell you, she's classy, kind, and very personable. I'm so thankful to have met her!

I love how much Deek loves comic cons. He's like a kid in a candy store! LOL!

This guy's ready for a fight!

The force is strong in this one.

Babylon 5!

Storm Troopers in da house!

Can you get over this costume!??!

I have always loved trolls...

A female Maui workin' it! 

Aren't our book bundles purty?

Cons are FUN but tiring, so Deek and I were so grateful that MacDaddy's provided us with our very own carafe of coffee!! I think that's my third cup...

Getting close to the end of the day. We're tired, but we're having a blast!

The lady who keeps our pup while we're at cons texted a picture of him on his walk.

<squeezey heart>

End of con Snapchat shenanigans...

Since the con is only one day, we got to enjoy the beach again before we headed home!

This is THE beach where Deek proposed, so we reenacted the "after proposal" kiss.

Hey, I'll take any reason to smooch with my handsome hubby!!

A hurricane was a long way off shore, but it made the water do crazy things!

I love the beach! One day, Deek and I *will* live there...

This man, y'all. This man.

I am stoked and blessed beyond belief to get to do life with this wonderful, funny, talented, loving, amazing man! 

We hope to see you at Crystal Coast Con 2018 next year!! Cool guests, the beach, and a fun venue...what more could you ask for?

Until then, geek on!