Flashback Friday: Sonic Boom!

Oct 1998:
D's relatives arrived for the pre-arranged weekend, and we had an enjoyable visit.  They had brought their camper, so their kids and mine spent the night in the back yard.  The next day was our planned picnic, and the boys decided to start a bonfire.

One problem:  It refused to light. 

D had just come in, laughing at their problem-solving skills, when all of a sudden, there was a loud

BOOM!!

We four adults ran outside and discovered the oldest boy had dumped Coleman lantern fuel over the wood, then tossed a match into it!

He got his butt chewed for a few moments, for possibly endangering everyone's lives and nearly setting the woods on fire, but after the adrenaline rush, we laughed about it!

Halloween that year was different:  One of the neighbors loaded most of the kids into the wagon behind his lawnmower and took the kids all over the neighborhood:)  I don't remember if S was Queen Amidala or Barbie that year.

Next Month:  Thanksgiving!

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Present Day:
Happy 55th Wedding Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Also, tomorrow is the launch of Whispers!

There's one slight hiccup to our launch party/Open Mic Night:  No confirmation of books shipped, which means.....a launch party w/o books.  Oops....

I still think it will be okay.  All we have to do is explain the snafu about Amazon delayed shipping; we'll have our proof copies to display and read snippets from; hopefully enough people will be willing to share their own works.

If nothing else, just some comradarie and some delicious cupcakes and finger food!

I have two short stories in this antho:

Badass Fairies of the Wabash:

Trouble is brewing along the Wabash River.  A young fairy who’s recently released from Solitude, is rebelling against her new duties in the Three Bridges area.  When the High Council intervenes, will things improve?

Spirit Pottery:

Ciera is convinced her apartment is haunted by the ghost of her ex-boyfriend.  When she consults a medium, she is shocked to learn she has ghosts in her pottery studio as well.

Trevor is more than willing to help Ciera come to grips with her past.  Can he put his attraction aside to help an angry ghost with his unfinished business?

Have a fun weekend!

Flashback Friday Catch Up

Oct 1978:
My Uncle Bill (my favorite uncle) arrived for visit:)

Cathy C made my choir dress....mauve with 'chilly shoulders', ruffled flowered around bodice. There was some confusion over how to wear it; some girls arrived at the concert with their arms through the straps, instead of just around their shoulders.

My sister celebrated her 8th birthday with Campbells, Mcintire clan, including Michelle and Aunt Linda.

I have no idea what I went as for Halloween that year....

Next Month:  Thanksgiving!

1988:
My Thursday night Astronomy class was fun!  For years, I'd not understood the blurred voices of the astronauts as The Eagle touched down on the moon, and my teacher cleared it up for me:

"Tranquility Base here....The Eagle has landed!"
(I'd heard it as 'ingoldy base here....' yeah, I guess I've always had a hearing problem??)

Anyway, Saturn was close enough to be seen through a telescope, so our professor took us upstairs so we could view it.  I think I amused him, because when it was my turn, I saw a white dot with Mickey Mouse ears, which drew laughs.  He later revealed it had been knocked out of focus, but I wasn't able to view it any clearer.  Still, I can say I saw it!

Our dorm decided to offer trick-or-treating, so I put on my 'southern belle' outfit, and Erica dressed in her 'old-fashioned girl' look.  The girls across the hall decided to be the Tin Man and his Oil Can, so E changed her look to 'Dorothy', which made me Glinda the Good Witch:)  'Toto' was one of our stuffed dogs!

Next Month:  Working Thanksgiving

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Present Day:  
We're getting closer to the Whispers Launch Party!  I've spent this week recuperating from a busy Imaginarium weekend.  My ankle/Achilles tendon bothered me all weekend, but Monday I stayed off my feet, and Tuesday I could walk semi-normally again.  WTH???  Wednesday, I had twinges of pain, and I think I'm gonna have to buy new tennis shoes next week.  I go see the Ortho doctor next Friday, so maybe that threat is shaping my feet up?

Imaginarium 2018

Reminder of what I said last year:
"Might try the one hour thing again, since I'll be an official Stardust author, and if B and N want to get a table again, I'll not do so many panels, so I can be behind the table.  Which means seriously cutting back on craft fairs, except for local ones.  Or maybe not; it's a double-edge sword:  Make money or keep having to order inventory?  Check back with me on this later."

Did I Follow My Own Advice?
Sort of.  You be the judge.

Friday:
I decided to take my Teen with me, since he's into gaming now (Magic The Gathering, World of Warc, Minecraft), and we left around 10:30am.  Grabbed lunch at the Arby's off I-64, then headed to Louisville.  Arrived, checked in.

Hiccup #1:
There's a work cart in our room, plus the bathtub faucets are completely dismantled.  Phone in room doesn't have the same room # (2113), and not working.  I called the front desk, who said they would call maintenance.

No sooner than I hung up did Maintenance knock on the door and express surprise.  They crew spoke broken English, and front desk called them thirty seconds later.  We all trooped downstairs (luggage and all!) and went to the lobby, where Teen and I were issued a new room.  Right across from where we were, 2114.  Luggage could have stayed upstairs...and did I mention I'm still limping from an 'irritated' Achilles tendon?  And the elevators are waaaaaaay at the back of this hotel.

Yeah.....poor planning on that one.

Anyway, W and I unpacked, then drove to the convention center and unloaded my stuff.

Hiccup #2:
I'd forgotten my money bag with my Square.

Brian Morris, my tablemate, said I could use his.  Problem solved.

Hiccup #3:
I decided to attend a 'How to Sell Books At Conventions' workshop.  For whatever reason, I had this in mind to be a 'which conventions would be optimal'....uh, no.  It was on How To Present Yourself....everything I'd already know.  Have your 'elevator pitch', smile, be positive, etc.  The only part I disagreed with was about bringing all your titles.  What happens if I bring only the Women's Fiction and everyone is looking for Romance?  Or vice versa?  This way I cover all bases.

I walked around and took pictures, and briefly chatted with a few.  Did my 1st slot of Prime Author Signing and sold one book:)  W and I ate dinner at the pizza buffet, and since the convention had arranged for food trucks, this took the pressure off the restaurant.  Ate 3 slices of pizza and two salads.  Went upstairs and watched Survivor, New Amsterdam, and TBBT, took a shower, and went to bed.

Sat:
W refused to wake up, so left him some $$ and went down to breakfast, then over to the convention, so I could sit in on the 'Marketing 101'' panel, suggested by my friend CP.

Hiccup #4:
Found this informative, though I already knew most of it.

Discovered Frank Hall had arrived, and wanted to show him the sneak peek of my time-travel story.

Hiccup #5:  Where Was It?
Not at the table; not in one of the totes.  I'd not left it in the truck....but remembered the last time I'd seen it was Friday night at the PAS....it was against the wall, where someone had graciously placed it:)

Sat for my 2nd slot of Prime Author Signing and it was Baby Row.  LS had her two week old; LP had her 9 month old....my 14 y/o showed up, lol!  LS sold a few; LP sold one.  Me?  Nada.

Game of Thrones Panel:
Enjoyed this one!  I was able to contribute to the discussion and it fueled my desire to read the rest of the books AND watch Season 6 in full (I've only seen 2 episodes!)

#3 Prime Author slot followed, and while I didn't sell any, my cover artist received an amazing compliment from a professional photographer!  He was comparing CJ's covers to mine and said mine were more 'professional' looking, and it made him want to pick up the book to look at it further!  I sent off a message to Dawne, who was thrilled!

Lunch was a delicious crepe from the Sweet-n-Savory truck, chicken and goat cheese:)  W had the chicken BLT.  Afterward, he went back to the motel and swam.

Advice To New Writers
This panel was fun.  We had several guests ask questions, and we were able to provide a lot of good information.

Crowdfunding For Creatives
This one was definitely informative!  I may actually look into doing this.

After the expo hall closed, W and I followed CP to Cracker Barrel and had a delicious, relaxing meal.

Hiccup #6 and #7
#6
My teen took his sweet time returning to the truck.  C had just decided to go on and get the table when he finally showed up!

#7
After dinner, W returned to the pool and I watched my Thursday night comedies online.  Around 11pm, W asks for a candy bar, and my wallet turns up missing.

Panic.  Did it fall out in the suitcase?  No.  Did it fall out in the truck?  No.  Had it fallen out while hiking back to the room?  I went to the front desk.  No one had turned one in.

We returned to the convention center, for we HAD made a lap around the game room and I HAD taken a picture of the steampunk costumed lady.  It wasn't under a chair when we checked it earlier.  As we're walking in, a lady was coming out.  W asked if she knew anything about a missing wallet, and the reply was that yes, one had been found.  I quickly found Holly, who said Robyn had it, but she'd gone to bed.  David said he knew where R had put it, and went to get it.  My wallet was found, with everything still in it!  I thanked God and everyone!!!

W got his candy, and I went to bed.

Sunday:
Decided to pop into 'Frugal Conventioning'.

Hiccup #8
Again, for whatever reason, I thought this was going to be more about how to do Cons on a shoestring budget, and it turned out to be common sense stuff:  Share a table/room.  Watch VistaPrint for sales.  Stick to your Con budget.  Yeah....stuff I already knew.

I went to my table and talked with BKM, plus walked around to take more pictures.

Importance of Networking
This panel was also fun, plus I was able to reconnect with an author I'd not seen since last April:)

MailChimp 101
I'd begged Holly to get someone to present a step-by-step tutorial of how to set up a newsletter on this site, so I was eagerly anticipating it.

Hiccup #9
Was deeply disappointed when it turned into 'why you need a newsletter' and 'what content to provide'.  'What site to set it up (MailChimp, MailerLite, etc)' and 'where to promote your newsletter'/  I wanted to cry.....I could have spent that hour at my table!

Blog Tour Strategies
Another fun panel, plus had some great advice from a guest!  Who knew the guests could teach a panelist something?  LOL!

At 4:30, everyone was packing up.  Said goodbye to new friends and old, and resolved to stick to my strategy next year!

Ate dinner at Fazolli's, then hit the highway.

Hiccup #10
Got stuck in traffic, due to bad accident on the bridge over the Ohio River.  Semi vs car.....pretty sure the car lost.  I shut off the truck to conserve gas....we were stopped for 45 mins.

In New Albany, I pulled into McDs for a sweet tea and W promptly asks for chicken mcnuggets.  I changed it to a #6 combo, and he let me eat 4 or 5 nuggets.

What Will I Do Differently Next Year?
-Leave Teen at home (unless the YouTube panel/workshop will be presented.
-Double-check panel descriptions and ONLY ATTEND MY PANELS!!!
-Try to fund a full table ($110) and leave my display racks at home.
-Spend more time at my table!

Check back next year to see if I actually follow through on this?

Oct 2018

Is it just me, or did September drag?  Of course, I spent so much time running back and forth to Lafayette....is it any wonder I don't know if I'm coming or going?

So What DID I Do Last Month?
-Do well at ISU-Con Day #2:  Sold 2; Day #3:  Sold 2; Total:  8  Tied my InConJunction total:)
-Do well at 1st Friday  Ugh.....rain out.  Did hand out 9 copies of the 'sneak peek' and found out a woman had TP on her kindle, but hadn't read it yet!  YAY!
-Do well at Eminence Harvest Fest  Sold 4:)
-Do well at Vandeburgh Craft Fair  Sold 9:)  7 Sat, 2 Sun.  Reversal of last year, lol!
-Successfully move all books to KDP  Check:)
-Have a successful launch of Whispers  Oct 20th
-Finish cleaning out Green House  Not yet
-Finish cleaning out front room and DRM of Brown House  Getting closer...
-Resume clearing out magazines in Brown House  Check:)
-Order more AU inventory  Check:)

Neck Update:  Continuing to improve:)

Ankle/Achilles Tendon:  Apparently, when I chose to walk to my CHRP meeting, then walk home from choir practice on 9/12, I strained my achilles tendon area.  This area has bothered me off and on throughout the summer, but normally I can walk out the stiffness.  Not on the 15th....I limped all over Eminence school during the Harvest Fest.  Mom's friend Marian, who's a former sports trainer, told me to do some exercises, which have helped.  However, I've discovered the problem MAY be connected to my tennis shoes.....the temps turned cooler, so I wore my riding boots all weekend, with no limping, and a little discomfort.  Barefoot doesn't seem to bother it.  But my year-old tennies....well, it might mean I need another pair!  More on this later.

Books Sold:  17, as compared to last year's 24.  But in all fairness, I only sold 4 at EHF, as compared to last year's 9.

Books Read:  7
            Print:  5
        E-Book:  2

Karaoke Songs Added:  14
                            Thurs:  4
                                 Sat:  10

October Goals:
-Mail HS to customers (check!) and TP to Harlie
-Enjoy Imaginarium!  Didn't sell any books last year, so no expectations other than to do well on my panels and enjoy catching up with friends!  Last year, our goal was to expose Brooke and Nancy to everyone....Nancy sold one book and Brooke was picked up by a publisher:) Sold 1, but had a great time seeing everyone!
-Take more things to auction from Brown House
-Finish cleaning out Brown House front room and re-organizing front bedroom
-Finish cleaning out Green House
-Have successful launch of Whispers
-Do well at Collections Carnivals Craft Fair on the 27th
-Have enjoyable time with Ghost Hunters
-Send Suzanne check for ICTAH show Sent half:)
-Buy Whispers inventory
-Buy WHH inventory
-Decide on cover art (check!) and pay for it (Catered Romance)
-Decide on costume for Halloween

October Reading Schedule:
Print:
Wired-Julie Garwood  Very good!
Skip Quincy, Shortstop-Jean Joachim  DRR!  Loved this!
Will Grant, Center Field-JJ  DRR!  Loved this one also!!!
House Sitter's Christmas-JJ  DRR!  A wonderful short, sweet story!
A Feast of Crows-GRRM
A Dance With Dragons-GRRM
Conversations with Caris-George Kramer  Cute collection!  Just wish the formatting would have been better.  Looking forward to Caris the Teenage Years:)
Cat Magic-Lydia Sherrer DNF
Panda Girl-Jeri Lyn Ryan

E-Book:
Wheeler-Sara Butler
All Jacked Up-Mysti Parker
High On You-Mysti Parker
Sealed With A Kiss-Mysti Parker
Her Snow White Christmas-Cara Marsi
The Party Plan-Melanie Jayne
Skater's Waltz-Peggy Jaegger

Karaoke Songs:
Thurs:
Wild Wild Life-The Talking Heads There were parts that weren't too bad, but overall....ugh.
Wild Wild West-Escape Club Slightly scratchy, but otherwise good:)  I also now know the words to the spoken part in the middle!!!
No One Like You-Scorpions Rocked the bar!
Borderline-Madonna Not too awful; camera batteries died during final chorus.
Will You Be There-Heart  Did well:)
Love The Way You Lie-Rhianna/Eminem Between me, Gary, Richard, and Cooper, we nailed this one!  Was complimented!
No Son of Mine-Genesis  Think it sounded good!

Sat:
R.O.C.K. in the USA-John Mellencamp Wasn't too bad:)
Radio Gaga-Queen  Did well!
Radioactive-Imagine Dragons????  DNH
Rainbow Connection-Muppets Ended up singing an octave higher....not too bad!

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head-BJ Thomas
Rainy Days and Mondays-Carpenters
Raise Your Glass-Pink
Ramblin' Man-Allman Bros???

Rapper's Delight-Sugarhill Gang???
Rapture-Blondie
Raspberry Beret-Prince
Reach Out and I'll Be There-Four Tops

Ready To Run-Dixie Chicks
Real Love-Doobie Bros???
Real Love-Jodi Watley????
Real World-Matchbox 20
Reason To Believe-Rod Stewart or Wilson Phillips

Flashback Friday, BB20, and Survivor Catch Up

Sept 2008:
Toddler (now referred to as 'Youngling') returned to Head Start, and I decided to defend my position on Policy Council.  Two other moms decided to run, and I was very surprised and a little hurt, that I wasn't elected.  Why not keep The Veteran on the council, since it's her final year?

While speaking to people afterward, they weren't even sure my name had been mentioned!  But at least I had my Tuesday nights back again....

I also attended the Tri-County Book Signing Event at Washington Square Mall in Evansville, In.  I was on the front row; BC Brown near the back.  Jamie Carie was at the opposite end of my row, and I bought her 2nd book, The Dutchess and the Dragon.  Sold 5 books at that event:)

Next Month:  Halloween!

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Present Day:
Took my daughter to S-n-S last night, and we ended up having a long-overdue heart-to-heart.  Turns out my sweet child had 3 miscarriages two years ago, and I'd only known about one.  She's handling it a great deal better than I would have.....I'm choosing to think of it as a blessing in disguise.  She and her then-boyfriend were sooooo not ready for another child!

I'm very thankful she's back on Depo shots.

Also found out she's thinking of making an entire Life Change next spring.  On one hand, I'm happy; on the other, it would mean I would only see her once a year, if that much.   Still, it's in God's hands.

BB20
The final 3 were JC, Kaycee, and Tyler.  Tyler won Pt 1, Kaycee Pt 2.  Round 3 had them tied, and Kaycee won the tie-breaker.  She evicted JC and took T to the end.

When Dr. Will polled the Jury, it sounded as if Kaycee had everyone's vote, and I was right!  Again, it was tied, and Bayleigh voted for K.  T did win Favorite Housegues.

Shaggy did something asinine....he proposed to B, even though they'd not seen each other for nearly 3 months!  They'd only spent ONE MONTH together!  I give it 6 months, and if they do follow through, I don't think it will last.  Although, they're both selfish and drama-oriented, so who knows....

They're bringing back Celebrity BB in January or Feb, so I'm anxious to see who's stupid crazy to sign up.

Survivor David vs Goliath
Two teams, one brawnier and more successful than the other.  'David' won the 1st challenge, and was awarded the shelter logs. 

Over at Goliath, one guy found the Hidden Immunity Idol; Natalie was getting on everyone's nerves by barking orders left and right.

Over at David, Nick irritated people by not helping, and Pat's off-color jokes were raising some eyebrows.

Goliath won the Immunity Challenge, and Nick's name was being tossed around at David.  HOWEVER......during the ride back to camp, the waves were rough from the storm and Pat was jostled, hurting his back.  Medical was called; they pulled him from the game for X-rays.  No tribal council, and Nick has no idea he just dodged a bullet!

During the previews, it looks as if Goliath may throw a challenge just to get rid of Natalie!

Have a great weekend!

BB20 Catch Up

After winning his way back into the house, Scottie was voted out again and returned to the Jury House.

Haleigh was then voted out, and on Double Eviction night, Angela and Tyler sent Brett packing in a surprise move.  Tyler won HOH, put up Sam and JC, then Angela won the Veto.  She took off JC 'I call this being one step ahead..' and Ty told Brett to take his place 'And I call this being two steps ahead.'

Angela won the next HOH and put up  Sam and JC.  Kaycee then won the veto and Sam was sent to jury.

Final Four:
Tyler, Angela, Kaycee, and JC.  Angela couldn't compete in HOH; in a surprise turn, JC won and put up Ty and Angela!

Kaycee won the POV and voted to send Angela to jury.

Final Competition:
Pt 1:  An endurance comp.  Ty and Kaycee planned to have K win the physical, then Ty the mental one.  Will this plot play out?  Find out next Thursday after I watch the finale!  I also voted for Samantha to win America's Favorite Player.

Flashback Friday: Cold Labor Day!

Sept 1998:
We went to Crown Point to visit D's cousin and his family, and ended up spending the night.  When we had arrived, it was a comfortable mid-70s, but when we woke up, suddenly Fall had arrived!  Thank god I had worn long sleeves, because I was COLD!

D woke up with numbness in his left arm, so I had to drive us home.  J and M promised to come down for our planned cook-out the following month.

Next Month:  The Sonic Boom That Rocked The Neighborhood!

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Present Day:
I'm heading to Evansville tomorrow and Sunday for the annual Vanderburgh Craft Fair at the Fairgrounds!  Brooke got us a booth inside this year, so hoping for good sales!

Got a new phone yesterday, and after 6 hours, one call to Tech Support and 3 CSMs later, we discovered we'd entered the wrong SIM card number.  Still having a little trouble with apps freezing, but it should work out okay.  My case arrives next week, and I need a screen protector.