Unveiling the new cover for A Healing Heart

It's here! Unveiling the new cover for A Healing Heart releasing April 2013. I've turned in the manuscript and expect the edits back beginning of June. It's so hard to wait when I want to share the story.

Fun news for July, I'll have the honor of unveiling the new Quilts of Love line of books from Abingdon Press at ICRS (International Christian Retail Show) during the special fiction event. I'm excited to share :) The first book for the Quilts of Love line comes out in October 2012. Each author's book has a spectacular quilt with a rich story.

Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family history. Featuring contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery, you will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.

Hint: 

A Healing Heart is a contemporary romance laced with endearing family humor.

Weight Loss Toys (tools)

I posted this on a private loop, but thought it might be fun for the general public too.

No kidding. I LOVE this new "toy". I call them toys instead of tools because I think we can make weight loss fun and staying healthy enjoyable. But only if we adopt an attitude of positive thinking. So I've called my weight loss tools "toys" for a long time. When I coach at the gym, I ask my clients what "toy" they want to play with :-) We smile instead of grimace. Much better!

Here's my newest and current favorite:

https://www.theshakeweight.com/

So why is it my new fave? Because it's light, easy to use, and fun.

Does it work? Yes. I saw additional definition in my arms within one week. Now if you have a lot of weight to lose, it may take longer to visually notice sculpting. But keep going anyway.

Favorite tip: Turn on music and dance with it to Salsa or upbeat tunes. The routine is only 6 minutes long. You can find time to do that! Invite a friend and have a blast.

Be sure you watch the "how-to" video first. It's only a few minutes long, but it explains the isometrics and how to properly use the toy.

My biggest frustration: I had a car accident on Dec. 21st. I'd been using the shake weight for 1 day shy of 2 weeks. My doc won't let me for another week. I am SO bummed. I really started to see results in the definition of my arm muscles. But I'll be back at it soon with a little Salsa music in the mix!

Biggest money saving tip: I get the 20% off mailing flyer from Bed, Bath, and Beyond all the time. They carry the shake weight. Use the coupon and save two bucks. Don't order it online because it's just a lot of postage for no reason. You can find it in most stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond or Walmart, Target, etc.

Have fun Salsa dancing with your new toy!

Angie

My daughter and I were urged to compete in a mother/daughter look-a-like contest on our local KPAX TV station. Here's the pic we submitted from the book launch party for Gems of Wisdom. I was so happy to have her there :-) 

Would you consider voting for us? They have a safe server, and you do have to make a quick account so they know you're a real person, not a spammer. For me, it's about bonding with my daughter. For my daughter, she thinks it's just funny ;-)

Mariah and Angela

Click below to vote

Take Me Out To The Ball Game-The Missoula Osprey

Another great place to visit on our virtual tour of Montana. The Missoula Osprey Base Ball Team.


Our semi-pro baseball team is a wonderful, fun attraction for locals and tourists:-D This is our mascot (he's an osprey.)

Some of the folks at our church decided it would be fun to do a barbecue and baseball game. They were right!

This is Don having a great time with Steve and Steve!



Then we all danced to YMCA, lol, led by the Osprey mascot.

Oh yes, we do have fun in Missoula:-D


Three of our younger members were invited to lead the singing of the traditional, Take Me Out To The Ball Game!


What is there to do in this town? Visit the Osprey and see a real osprey nest (lived in too.) This pole was installed to lure the river hawk to the stadium. The osprey is a bird that lives near rivers, fishes, and builds nests all over the area on tall poles like the one in the distance here. We watched them fly around the park throughout the game as if they were rooting for the home team.

Hey, thanks for visiting today. Come back soon:-D
Angie

Confidence has a No Need to Compete clause

Ms. Montana and Mrs. Montana work together at the Hospice Ball 

My friend, Janet Bierer, is Ms. Montana US Continental. I'm Mrs. Montana International. Different pageant systems and yet we aren't defensive or concerned about who does what. Instead, we enjoy running the race together and because of this, are more successful in our duties for our charities. We've built a friendship that benefits others.

We had the honor of assisting at the 1920's themed fund raiser for the Hospice Ball on Friday night. (Our job was to enforce the TSA regulations at the door to the Minuteman airport hanger and help people check in for the auction.) It's not unusual to see both of us at a fund raiser. What's wonderful about working with Janet is that neither of us feel competitive toward each other. Rather, we complement one another.

Janet is beautiful, funny, and successful in her professional life. She owns a couple of beauty salons here in Montana. But I don't feel jealousy, instead I am honored to be her friend.

Too often, women feel they must compete with the other women in their lives. We worry over someone else's beauty, talent, vivacious personality. We worry that we can't be as bubbly and witty or photogenic. We think the other woman always has it better. But when we enjoy the benefit of our unique personalities and talents, it's more productive. Okay, it's just plain fun!

When people try to figure out the difference in our titles, we laugh and explain it this way, "She's the unmarried and I'm the married version." We have a lot of fun explaining the different pageant systems, and trust me, no one knows more about them than Janet! The loveliest thing about Janet is she enjoys sharing her knowledge. She's a giving person full of heart.

Janet and I met last fall during the American Heart Association's Heart Walk. Since then, we've appeared at many special events together from managing hundreds of people coming in the doors to the Hospice Ball to selling raffle tickets at the Make-A-Dream event and helping the Jadyn Fred Foundation raise money to get kids to the out of state hospitals. It was Janet's idea to team up. And am I glad we did!

Together, we are able to do more than we could alone. Both of us have outgoing personalities so it's easy for us to sell raffle tickets or comically toss someone in the 1920's jail cell by convincing their loved one to pay $5 for their "arrest" by the Keystone Kops. We easily laugh and encourage the other one, and in doing so, we manage to successfully raise more money for the non-profits. We've also been able to help out when schedules clashed. Janet filled in for me when my charity had an event and I was out of town.

Do you have someone in your field that encourages you, runs the race with you, and complements the work you do?

How do you support each other's efforts and goals?

Angie

PS I'm also honored to be a guest today over at: www.seriouslywrite.blogspot.com

Please come visit as I share each Wednesday in March about self-care. This week's is 5 Things Writers Forget First.

Honest Scrap Award

Yes, I was honored with the Honest Scrap Award.

It is for those bloggers who write from the heart. I received it from L. Diane Wolfe, one of my favorite bloggers. The rules are to pass it along to seven bloggers and then list 10 honest things about myself. Here are those deserving of this honor, bloggers who write from the heart and touch me because of it:

Ten Honest Things About Myself:
10. This is really my hair color, lol, and yes I get asked.
9. I am 45 and have never really worried about people knowing my age.
8. I stay up way too late and never get enough sleep.
7. I love the wind in all it's forms. Wind is magic.
6. I talk back to my cats, dogs, horses...well, they talk first ;-)
5. I laugh easily, but I'm not the best joke-teller.
4. I'm a terrible secretary. That's why I need one.
3. I have public speaking, singing, teaching in my DNA, just ask my grandpa, he told me so 30 years ago.
2. I am stunned and honored that people read my blog. Thank you!
1. I have awe attacks. My husband titled them after I continuously drove him nuts with all the things I comment about that keep me in awe. I can stare at a sunset, a rainbow, a blade of grass and wonder how God thought of the creativity to make such a thing. Don't get me started on my grandson...Awe is such a tiny word when I look at him.

7 Bloggers who write from the heart:
Missy Tippens
Belinda Peterson
Shar McLaren
Mindy Obenhaus
Jennifer Hudson-Taylor
Christy LaShae
Tosca Lee

Pet Fest--Mrs. Montana International Appearance

Last year, I had a lot of fun MCing and helping at the Pet Fest as Mrs. Missoula America. This year, I've been asked back as Mrs. Montana International 2009!

Pet Fest is a fun event that helps place and adopt out pets as well as raise pet food for folks that are struggling and need financial help keeping their companion pets.

So I will be at Caras Park in Missoula this Saturday, Aug. 15th! You can find out more information at www.petfest.net :-)

But it has a twist.

One of our local business owners agreed to buy a $3500 dunk tank for the event to use year after year...IF...Mrs. Montana would allow herself to be ... dunked!

Would I? Could I?

Why not? When something creates smiles, laughter and helps people I'm all in.

I'll be MCing the pet costume parade (this was hilarious entertainment last year) getting the crowd to help me decide the winner. Then I'll scoot on over to the dunk tank to take my hour long turn getting soaked with other local celebrities.

Come out and have a plain, old-fashioned good time with me!

Angie

Professional Fashion and Fun-Mrs. Montana International

Reader Question: How do you know what to wear to an event like Mrs. International?

Angie: I researched it by going to the website and looking at lots and lots of photos :-) Ultimately, I fell back on my own sense of self. What do I like to wear and feel confident in any time? I have had a lot of fun shopping for just the right outfits that promote my personality and professionalism. I've stretched a little too. I've worn a lot of solid colors and decided to try on a few dresses with bold patterns. They still have my figure in mind and I fell in love with them. It was just as much fun finding accessories for each outfit as it was the dress! Leopard print-never! Ahem, but I did and I can't tell you how elegant it looks. I promise photos after the competition. ;-)

Angie: The first thing I look at in choosing clothes whether for the competition or for my personal choice is does it fit me physically and personality-wise? We need to look at our body type and dress to enhance who we already are and not how it looks on someone else. I have to honor my own sense of modesty to maintain my comfort in public. (I don't think I need to be intensely sexual. In fact, I think it's harder to get people to listen to what a woman is saying if she is too immodestly distracting.)

The next thing I look for is the simplicity of care. If it is too hard to take care of or travel with, I don't buy it. Bald truth. Why make your life harder than it needs to be? I tend to lean toward beautiful colors and tailored lines made out of fun to touch and wear fabrics. My interview dress is a gorgeous non-wrinkle jersey. All my rehearsal wear and appearance outfits are also fun to touch and non-iron. The lines fit my figure well, though sometimes I have to have them altered.

I also want the clothes to be something I can wear later for appearances, church or fun social events. So I'd say those 3 values are how I shop.

Reader Question: Why do you alter?
Angie: I happen to have a very small back/rib cage. Clothes don't fit me well there and hang like a sack. I've found a wonderful seamstress at Kathy's Bridal here in Missoula. She adds darts or takes in seams so my clothes fit me well and I feel more confident in them.

Tip: If you've never altered your clothing, I'd suggest trying one or two outfits/dresses that have always bugged you. Loving the piece is fine, but it should make you feel comfortable and confident. Get suggestions from friends or ask your favorite dry cleaners for referrals. It's amazing how great the right fit makes you feel and look! It's really about the confidence.

Folfing (or Disc Golf or Frisbie Golf anywhere else.)

A Folfing we will go, a folfing we will go...
(Heh heh, couldn't help myself there.)



The goal is to hit the pole with your disc. These photos were taken last summer as my family took me on my first folfing run. I love the fact that this is a low impact game. As a Weight Watcher, this game takes a couple of hours. You can easily earn several activity points for your weekly plan. At my weight, it is worth 4!



A Folfing course in Pattee Canyon. This is the topography and layout of the course.


My first game of Folf. What a blast! It's a great family sport that gets you to excercise without really feeling like it. I'm not sure how far we walked and tossed our discs, but it had to be a good couple of miles hiking through the woods.



The holes on this course are large posts painted with a red marker. This is my youngest son mocking me, lol. He does not expect me to get a hole in one. And, I don't :-D


However, I never had to go searching for my disc like he did. LOL.


And he needed help!


(He has a really long throw.)




One of our older kiddos shows great folfing form. She's trying to teach me to play. Actually, she did a pretty good job. I stayed 1-3 over par on most of the holes. Okay, there were a few...



That would be me flinging my folf disc. We all have different colors so we can tell them apart. They are also different weights for better throwing ability depending on your personal strength.


This is my husband trying to get his disc uphill. This particular hole is straight up and over the mountain. Quite the challenge.

The discs cost anywhere from $6 on up. You can buy one good mid-range or build an arsenal of specialty discs.



I like folfing very much. It's an inexpensive activity that gets a family or group of friends outside playing, laughing, and excercising. In the above picture, one of the kids treed their disc and a squirrel is busy scolding my son for trying to help his sister bounce the folf disk out of the branch.


My kids tell me there are opportunities all over the country. Why not take discs with you on vacation? You can find a great place to run off energy and cause awesome laughter.

In Missoula, there are at least two courses. This one at Pattee Canyon and the other at Blue Mountain (which has baskets on the holes. It's a little more challenging.)

The perfect way to spend an afternoon!

Thanks for visiting :-D
I hope you'll try a game of Folf.
Angie

Angela Breidenbach is awarded Mrs. Montana International

Hi Friends,

I wanted to share a very exciting experience with you. A few weeks ago, I was awarded the title of Mrs. Montana International 2009! It's been a whirlwind ever since :-) I'll be competing for Mrs. International this July 14-18, 2009 in Chicago. The pageant is open to the public, and tickets are available by visiting the North Shore Centre for the Performing Arts.

Some of the unique items I've had to complete are online questions for the entire world to read as they get to know me. I included them here, with one answered. If you'd like to read all my answers to the interview, you can click over to the Mrs. International Contestant page and then click on Mrs. Montana International (hey, that's me) and see some photos too. I'd be honored if you would :-)

I thought it would be fun to hear all you lovely ladies answer these questions too! I'd love to learn about you. I'm going to post a different answer to one of these questions over on the six author blog, WritingbyFaith, with the same request to learn more about all of you. Please feel free to visit there also.

On this blog, I'll be sharing photos and posts about the journey to Mrs. Montana International and on to Mrs. International. Please join me on June 15th, 7p.m. Mountain Standard, (6p.m. Pacific, 9p.m. Eastern) for an hour long live interview event. I'll post the website and how to join the webinar/radio interview next week.

Might I mention, if you're an author or you might be writing a story for future generations, these questions are awesome character exploration opportunities.

On to the interview, tell me about yourself :-)

How do your personal / unique qualities best fit the International Pageant system?

What is something that few people know about you?

What do you do to stay healthy?

Everyone talks about "family values", what are they?
Instilled through our examples, our values show in how we live, laugh, cope with difficulty, express affection, and give of our time or blessings. It's what we do, not say, that reveals our values. By showing and building relationships, we gain the benefit to share our gems of wisdom.

What is your worst habit?
Why?