H is for Humble

I spent this morning with a group of wonderful women at a Bible study. These women come from all faiths.The No one religion is predominant.

That's not what makes me humble. What makes me humble is that they would pray for good things in my life.  They truly care about each other.

It makes me humble that our hostess, Linda, would offer me a place to stay when I return to buy a home here. It makes me humble that these talented extraordinary women took me into their group.

I will miss my Tuesday mornings with them when I return home.

TTFN

G is for Gorgeous

Gorgeous sun streaming though the windows. Warm weather. Looks like a good day for the beach.  Have a good book to read. Will be having dinner with great friends. Got a wonderful man, working on my plumbing so I can get my house sold.

Life is good and the day is gorgeous. Hope you all are having a good one.

TTFN

F is for Full

My life has been full of friends, family, surprises, and blessings.  My friends are the best. They put up with my quirky ways, encourage my many ideas, and love me for who I am.

My family has always had my back. Even when the surprises in my life have not been pleasant ones. They stand by me.

I am blessed to have all this in my life. I cannot imagine a life without it.

TTFN

E is for Energized

I am full of energy. I have a plan for moving. I have the print ready copy of the inside of my book. The cover will be done in the next couple of days and then the ebook will be ready.

I have ideas flooding my brain for the things that need to be done when I get home. I have the next book to get ready. I have a couple of baby layettes to finish.

The list is endless, but in my last 11 days in paradise, I'm going to enjoy myself and burn off as much of that energy as I can.  I know I'll get it back when I return home.

TTFN

D is for Disheartening

Today I find myself truly disheartened. I had a loan secured for a house. I was ready to make the offer and the loan fell through because they didn't ask me if it was a manufactured home. For which they need a higher down payment. Ugh. This was perfect. I will pick myself up and go to plan B. Sell my current home and then  buy one here.

I'm also saddened that my daughter and the kids are leaving tonight. I will worry about them driving in the mountains at night. I know she plans to pull off and sleep at some point, but it is a long trip.

TTFN

C is for Coping

Coping with stress, coping with life. Yes, c is for coping. I am coping with the stress of getting a new book out. I am coping with the minor stress of having seven people in a 950 sq. ft. condo. a

Life is good. I am in those last anticipatory days before a book goes to print. Just before it gets released to the general public.

I am enjoying spring break with my daughter, grandchildren and some of their friends. Yes, there are five kids here. They have been swimming, playing basketball, walking on the beach, and tonight they saw a movie.

So coping with my own demons is keeping me busy.
TTFN

B is for Best

This has been the best winter away ever. First a friend came down on his way to bike week. Then I found a home I want to buy. My friend came back on his way home from bike week and finally, my daughter, grandkids and a few of their friends came down for a week.

In all of this I have a book almost print ready. I have spent time with the marvelous friends I have here in South Carolina. I've been able to share SC with friends and family, so they know why I want to move here.

Yes, while the weather has not been as warm as I'd hoped, it has been the best winter away from Michigan yet.

TTFN

A is for Anticipation

I have waited months for the A-Z writing challenge to begin. Arlee Bird I am so glad you came up with this and continue to do it each year.

I am also anticipating the release of my next book, Crossing the Line. It is well past it's November release date for several reasons. One the original publisher closed their doors. Two, I decided to open my own publishing company. Three,  we finally have the last of the edits done, and the book proof has been read so, I can send it to the printer.

There has been a lot of anticipation. I have more, but want to keep this short.
TTFN

Worst Buy

Most of you are familiar with Best Buy as a merchandiser of all things electronic. They have a rewards program to keep you coming back and they own the Geek Squad for computer repairs. I have a new name for them: Worst Buy.

Let me start the nightmare from the beginning. A friend and I went to get some sort of Ipod/Mp3 player. The first one we bought had us back in there because we couldn't get it to download. We returned later because we had tried four different computers and it wouldn't work. We exchanged it for a different Mp3 player. Different company, easier operating system. Plugged it into the first computer and it burned itself up.

By this time we have been two days on this and I'm fed up. I take every thing back and I'm going to purchase an Ipod. I have one, know how they work. I specifically tell the girl I don't want a used one. She assures me I'm not getting one and I have a full warranty. So, it's $17 off the regular price. I buy it.

I arrive back at the condo with dinner and we eat before I tackle getting the music downloaded to the Ipod. As I start loading it and getting it registered I learn that yes, I do have a used Ipod. I'm livid. It is too late to go back they are closed. I am not feeling well, but I'm mad.

I contacted Best Buy. Not sure why I wasted my time. That was two weeks ago and all they have done is passed my complaint onto the district manager who could care less. I went in to talk to the store manager. They don't have one, you have to walk around trying to find the one for the department you have a dispute with. My thought was just stand in the middle of the stupid store and scream at the top of my lungs, but I didn't have anyone who could bail me out of jail. e

Seriously, you can't pick up a phone and page the manager???? How stupid is that. To make matters worse, no one told me when I bought my computer a year ago that I had to register to get my rewards. Something I only learned because my friend needed to check his. So, I register my account, but I cannot get credit for those reward points. That's how they rip people off. They should be automatic, they are not.

I am  done with Worst Buy. I am cutting up my credit card with them and closing my account. There is nothing on the planet I need bad enough to step into one of their stores again.

Customer service=epic fail. Rewards Zone=epic fail. Overall impression= bye bye


TTFN

My Radio Interview and Other Stuff

If you missed the radio interview, I've got a link for it. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rrradio/2013/03/14/no-limits-with-barbara-m-hodges Feel free to listen and give me feedback. I thought it went well.

Second on my list of things is a four star review I got today. I've got the link for that, too: http://tillyandmertle.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/cold-case-my-thoughts/ Again feel free to leave feedback.

I am working to get my name out there and known. I have a good following, I just need to grow it bigger. I am in the process of putting my older books into ebook format for those who like ereaders. Be patient, there weren't ereaders when the books were published. One of them will need a new cover.

I am busy with the marketing part of my business while I await the copyright so that we can put the finishing touches on the book and get it sent to the printer. Waiting makes me crazy...oh wait, I'm already crazy.

Enjoy the links.
TTFN

Radio Inteview

I had a great time with host Barbara Hodges and her other guest Denise Middlebrooks. I was interviewed the first half hour and Denise was interviewed the second half hour. I got some good questions and  hope I gave some good answers.

Denise is an editor and she said things that make a lot of sense. If you are a writer, you give your most polished piece of work to your editor. You need to have an editor who can work with you. One who will explain why something needs changing or why it doesn't work. Be sure you've read your work before turning to over to an editor. You want this to be as easy and painless as possible. Get your basic grammar right. If you're not sure have the local high school English teacher give it a read through.

I did get feedback from a friend who was able to listen to the interview on her cell phone. She said I sounded good and she enjoyed hearing it. It's always good to know someone is listening. It was broadcast on the west coast.

I also picked up an new connection on LinkedIn. It is good to have a wide network, you never know when you need to call on one of them for their expertise.

All-in-all, I enjoyed myself. It went smoothly. No trick questions.
TTFN