I got my fast-food job today, for the research. I was told if I worked on Saturdays, instead of going to church that I would get .50 more an hour, plus an extra 8-hour shift. In reality, I wouldn't have done that, but since it is an experiment, I took the job. I have orientation tomorrow at 8am. I had to get a food handler's permit- have never had one before. I am starting my nationwide school tour in January, so I'll only be flipping burgers for a little over a month. I got several corporate sponsors today. I really enjoy the comments here.

Ok, since I am a celebrity Amish cook and romance author, I have to say that I also enjoy watching all cooking shows- Racheal ray is my favorite, as well as Paula Dean. I can't wait to have my show in Canada. As for spending, I splurged last night at ate at a French restaurant- $40.00 with tip( I tipped 30%), so its back to the drawing board for me. I have to use my CC today to order more cookbooks from Doubleday- its that time of the year, so I'm running out. I always do a B1G1F at Christmas, so I want to make sure I don't run out.

I went shopping- just a little yesterday. I am going to put in applications for my min. wage job today. I'm a little nervous about doing it- don't know if I can or not. I'm already wondering how I'm going to balance everything.

Ok- I will not be posting again until Saturday, after church. I know everyone will miss me:>) I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

1. I am "adopted" mom to my 19 year-old nephew, Andrew.

2. I am a best-selling author, writing Amish romance novels, journals and cookbooks.

3. I am an advocate for home-schooling and Christian schools.

4. I travel alot several times a year, on book tours.

5. I want to move to the coast and sip tea on my balcony.

6. I am former Old Order Amish. I had to return there for a week because we had a terrible shooting- I hated it. It was devastating.

7. I have my own private-label line of Amish jams/sorghum. I have tapped for sorghum before when I lived in PA.

8. I love parties- being a local celebrity author, I attend and sponser many galas, silent auctions and fundraisers.

9. I donate 10% to the church and give 10% tithe as well.

10. I merchandise in stores part-time- 2 to 2 1/2 days a week- depends on the season.

11. I am a former Registered Nurse. I rode horseback when I was Amish, to visit ill members.

12. My autobiography comes out in the spring. I will be touring the country for 2 months with photos from my former Amish hometown.

13. I can't type well- I make typos. MY 1st book wasn't edited and has just went out of print! I'm sooo glad- Lori at Fidlar Doubleday is proofing my next 2 books.

14. I will be getting 2 low-paying jobs next month and will start a "new" life in Lexington for 6 months, to see if I can live on low-paying wages. I will be keeping a daily journal which I will have Doubelday print in the late summer/ early fall.

15. I have a twin sister who lives near the coast in Texas and will never leave there. I had labor pains when she had her first child.

16. I am Seventh-day Adventist now.

17. I love to dress up-sometimes; however, when I'm touring its kind of tiring to keep dressing up every day. I love to dress up for parties.

18. I don't like for my picture to be taken- it still feels weird, getting used to the cameras.

19. I love to canoe.

20. My big dream is to do a book tour in England and Monacco- I have many penpals in both areas.

21. I am trying to save money; however, I like to spend it too much.

22. I once cut my hair, got a perm and entered a beauty pageant( that's how the publisher got the nice picture of me on the back of my cookbook.)

23. Like most authors, I have 2 names. My other name is Teresa Phillips.

24. I will be touring West Virginia again in April.

25. I love chocolate.

26. I love fresh flowers but haven't gotten them for several months...maybe I need my SO to read my list???

27. I love getting letters- I read all of my fanmail. I once got too many to read, thus I was reading mail for 2 months solid. It was in the middle of a tour, so I had to take the 2 overflowing mail bags with me. I get unusual stuff sometimes.

28. I've had a stalker( actually he still exists, so I don't travel without a bodyguard when I tour.)

29. I'll have my own food show in 2008.

30. I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University.

31. I went back to college, majoring in Fashion & Merchandising.

It has been a nice, calm morning. Mom asked me to take her shopping at Dollar Eagle and The Dollar General Store, so she bought my breakfast at McDonald's. We just sat there and talked over coffee( my mom can't live without it) and hot cocoa( my fav. hot drink.) She bought me some things at Dollar Eagle. They had dish soap for the dishwasher for only $1.00 and it said, "Spot Free", so lets hope it is spot free. I'm off today- the stores are a mad house, so I'm not working until Sunday. I guess I could be writing. I'm going to fill out some applications online for my research on low-paying jobs. I was figuring it up last night and it looks like I may have to work 1 full-time job and at least one job at 25 hours a week to make my "new", rent in Lexington. I am doing this for 6 months.

I'm having a hard time of not spending money. I decided to cook on Thanksgiving- just for my nephew and I. We are going to stay home and watch DVDs and the Thanksgiving Parade. I had a free lunch today- business lunch. I had crab cakes and homemade slaw and a salad. I drank iced tea and some water- made sure I had the water. I walked 10 blocks in downtown Louisville.

Today is a very cold and rainy day. I serviced 2 stores today( I stock batteries), and the stores were packed. We are supposed to get some snow flurries. I had a coupon for Steak & Shake for $2.99, so I ate there and drank water. I saved $7.00, so I will tuck it away in my envelope. I will also add $1.00 because I drank a large water. I am really trying to drink more water. I am cooking tonight, so that will save $25.00.