Mar 31, 2014 |
My web-designer updated my website this weekend. That’s New Inklings Press’s website, not the blog.
I’m very excited. The changes are subtle but specific.
You can now link to my Amazon page, and individual product, from the home page. You can read about upcoming projects and our authors. And of course, you can still shop directly.
Which is a good thing, because I have 75 copies of the THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK, Second Edition. Remember when you followed last year’s journey to get it published, and how you said to yourself, “I need to order.” or “This would make a great gift.” or “So-and-so really needs a copy of this.”
The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition
Well now’s your opportunity. With just 75 printed copies left and no plans for a reprint, this may, in fact, be your last chance.
Now here’s the “wish” part of this post. It’s my wish, my goal, to sell all my cookbooks before Easter. There are three small bills I am trying to pay in full, and, as you may have read on my Facebook page, I’d like to get a Disneyland annual pass. Sure, that last one isn’t a necessity.
But Dot and I used to have passes. Instead of a big vacation, we’d go to the Parks a few times a year together, as well as with friends. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to renew my pass for a few years now. She and her friends have. And let’s be honest: This Momma’s a tad bit jealous.
Disney Dream (from a door on Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland, CA)
Does the world stop spinning without Disneyland? Of course not. Can we still have Quality Family Time without the Mouse? We do every day.
But now and then I think it’s okay to say out loud, “This is what I’m trying for” and see what happens. This, for me, is that moment.
A “New” website. A cookbook. And a wish.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Dear Disneyland . . .
Following Fabian
FIVE THINGS FRIDAY: Everything old is NEW Again
Dec 22, 2011
Here it is. My blog list for Christmas. This is what I really, really, really want for Christmas. For every one of you (and yes, I mean every single one of you!) to comment on this post and let me (and the other readers know) the answers to these 12 Questions of Christmas:
1.What holiday(s) do you celebrate this time of year?
2. What present do you really want this year?
3. What’s the best gift you ever received?
4. What’s your favorite Christmas movie?
5. What’s your favorite holiday meal?
6. What traditions, new and old, do you have?
7. What’s your favorite Christmas song?
8. If you could give just one gift this year, what would it be?
9. How do you decorate this time of year?
10. What’s your favorite holiday memory?
11. What’s your favorite holiday keepsake?
12. Happy Holidays! Share your stories, ideas, wishes, and dreams here.
Dec 2, 2011 |
On the heels of yesterday’s post about Wishes, I’ve decided to plot out what to do when I win the Lottery. After all, a girl’s gotta have a plan, right?
First of all, positive thinking: notice I didn’t say if, I said when.
So. When I win the Lottery, here’s how I intend to spend it:
1. Give 10% to my church. It’s a most amazing church where I’ve made many friends, learned much, and been given much love and support. It’s a wonderful foundation for spreading the Word of God and acknowledging we all have a personal need for Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be where I am without my Church. 10% is the least I can do to give back.
2. Put 25% into a savings, market or stock account for the future. My friend Tony is always trying to get me to invest, but I’d rather buy a gallon of milk. When I win the lottery, I’ll be able to do both, and that excites me!
3. Pay off my and mom’s mortgages so we never have to worry about the economy. Also because it’s really fun that our homes have the same floor plan and I don’t ever want a stranger living in either one.
4. Buy new cars for me, my daughter, my mom, my two brothers and my sister in law. With all I’ve been through with my car breaking down lately, I may also hire my own personal mechanic.
5. Pay off all family debt. ‘Nuff said.
6. Put my daughter through college so she doesn’t have to incur any debt or loans that she’ll have basically no chance of really paying off in this economy.
7. Buy my daughter a house, or put money aside for her to buy a house when she’s ready. What kind of mother would I be if I didn’t make sure she was financially taken care of in the best ways possible?
8. Give more than generously to charities I believe in: American Red Cross for all their work across the globe, whether emergency aid or ongoing. World Wildlife Fund for all their efforts to protect animals and stop illegal killings. Local food banks and homeless shelters, because everyone deserves to not be hungry or cold.
9. Build a Writer’s Retreat, whether that means an addition to my house, or a completely separate location. A place where I can go where there are no distractions, no stressors. Just a peaceful environment that lends to imagination and the writing process.
10. Take my mom and daughter on regular vacations. Disneyland. Frankenmuth, MI. Italy. NYC. Missouri. Washington. Canada. Big Bear. Vegas. San Luis Obispo. Travel Route 66. And everywhere in between.
11. Invest in people. Start scholarships for the local schools. Hire interns. Support small businesses.
When I win the Lottery. I’ll do all this and more.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 1, 2011 |
I recently watched a made-for-TV Christmas movie: a woman needed a life change, was granted 12 wishes, she used them selfishly, then spent the remaining time “fixing” the problems she created, and they all had a Merry Christmas. She was guided throughout the movie by an Angel who gently guided her toward selfless love. In the end, it was all wrapped up neat and tidy.
It was campy, low-budget and disgustingly predictable.
But it got me thinking.
If I had 12 wishes that I absolutely knew would be fulfilled, what would I wish for? The first few immediately come to mind: world peace, financial stability, health and happiness for the family. After that, it gets a little tricky. Because I really want to focus on important things. But what’s important to me may not be important to someone else. Or the world.
That’s okay. Some things don’t need to be important to everyone else. Just some things to some people. I know the list will change with time, but if I had my own Fairy Godmother or Personal Angel to grant me 12 Wishes of Christmas, here’s what they’d be:
1. I wish for my entire family (birth, extended, in-laws) to be, and remain, debt free.
2. I wish for permanent world peace.
3. I wish for everyone in the world to live by the Golden Rule: To Do Unto Others, to respect everyone, and stop being selfish.
4. I wish for the world to be free of sickness of all kinds: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.
5. I wish for Megan and I to have our book series completed, published, and prize-winning.
6. I wish for our book series to be made into movies.
7. I wish for the world to less electronic and digital; and more personal and home-made.
8. I wish for all animals to be cared for.
9. I wish for everyone to be accepted, loved, cherished, and treasured.
10. I wish for Christ to be more accepted, and “political correctness” to be abolished.
11. I wish to be the best mom ever, for ever.
12. I wish for everyone I love, to know how much I love them. For ever.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote.
