Moon Affirmations on Amazon!

Last night I had Moon Affirmations go through final approval for Smashwords.  This means I’m able to use the same file – with a few adjustments – submit to KDP which is the e-publisher for Amazon. 

After an hour or so working on it, I submitted it last night and now it is available on Amazon.  I’m very excited about this book.  It is completely different from other meditation books because it uses the phase of the moon to focus your energy.  This means during a new moon, you would focus on beginnings or starts to the projects, relationships, and so on. 

Next step for this meditation book is to get it in print.  I’m working on that but discovered all of my images need to be reworked to a higher DPI.  I was four steps from being done when I discovered this.  This means I have to work on it as I’m able and hopefully will get all the images updated, cleaned up and ready for print this week.  However, time is my most limited resource. 

In the meanwhile, go check out the meditation book at:

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/432900

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Affirmations-Daily-Meditations-Energy-ebook/dp/B00K08TF3K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1398791925&sr=8-5&keywords=moon+affirmations

While you are out shopping, take a look at Secret Past too.  It is available here:

Available on Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-past-eileen-troemel/1119169953?ean=9781499159868
Available for sale at:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/426548
Available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Past-Eileen-Troemel-ebook/dp/B00JL38Z7C/ref=la_B00JL4PEJ8_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398097355&sr=1-1

New – Last – Semester of Classes

In just under two weeks, I start my last two classes.  When this semester is done, I will have earned my second degree.  I’m both excited for this and a little sad.  I won’t be crazy busy all the time once I’m done with this degree. 

I looked at master’s programs and none of them sold me.  I think the next thing for me will be to spend a lot of time writing.  Whether I get the grant I put in for or not, I have two books ready for publishing.  I am in the process of editing two other books.  I have a third one I’m working on writing – whether it will finish the story or not I don’t know. 

My writing has been on the back burner since I started school again.  I never feel like I have time to just sit at the computer and write.  Once I get started, the words just flow so I am looking forward to spending more time writing. 

One of my goals after I graduate is to spend more time submitting my work for publication and contests.  It is always good to put my work out there to see who likes what and what needs more work.

This semester I have a grammar class.  I know many of you are groaning over that but I’m actually looking forward to it.  I have already started reading the book.  My second class is a publications class.  It is with my favorite instructor so I’m sure I’ll get something out of it. 

Before classes start, I am going to enjoy a short visit from Stephanie, crochet time, and as much down time as I can cram into the next few days.  Stephanie will be home for a long weekend.  We are going to get two very short visits from her this fall.  It will be fun to have her here by herself and get a bit of one on one time.

One more semester and then on to other things.  It will be good to move forward and focus back on my writing but I’m going to get the most out of the last semester.   

New Semester

Tuesday classes start for my new semester of school.  I’m feeling ambivalent about both of my classes.  I am taking Geography 120 – Weather and Climate and English 378 Prose Stylistics. 

Science is not my favorite topic.  I enjoy the ideas in science and the possibilities.  I’m not very good at the whole scientific learning.  As for the English class – I’m not really sure what it is about so I’m reserving my opinion on it.  I’m hoping it is a good class.

The nice thing about this semester is the science class is online so I can do it from home.  The English class is held in my building so I will be able to just take the elevator to the floor and go to class.  This makes getting to class much easier especially with the ambulatory issues I’ve been having.  Also it means Vicki doesn’t need to worry about coming back early from her volunteering to make sure I can get to class. 

Hopefully I will enjoy both classes.  It would be nice if I didn’t have a horribly stressful semester but you never know with classes.  The work may be extensive or there could be a variety of other issues to contend with.  I’m certainly not above whining about it either.  I’m just trying to go into this semester with a cautiously optimistic view point that I will do okay. 

Up until last semester I had a 4.0 in my classes for this degree.  Unfortunately I got an A- in my manuscript editing class which means my 4.0 is gone.  However, I’m hoping the science class won’t drag me down.  I’m still going to shoot for an A but I know this is a difficult subject for me. 

This semester I have six books.  One I was able to get one at the book rental.  I got four through Amazon because they were less expensive there.  I was going to get the last one through there as well but one of the comments made me nervous about buying it online.  The comment talked about getting the wrong version and it causing problems.  So I opted to get it from the university bookstore.  Vicki went yesterday to pick it up for me.  She couldn’t find it on the shelves and ended up asking.  They directed her to someone who asked her a ton of questions.  After she answered all the questions, the woman gave her the workbook for free.  I was very surprised as this book would have been $115.  By getting it free, it saves me lots of money.

Writing organization

Writing is wonderful for me.  It takes me away from everything that annoys me.  It relaxes me in a way almost nothing else does.  Yet I find myself being annoyed because I’ll come across a good lead for submitting my work but then I can’t find what I want.  Obviously the creative side is struggling with the logical side of me. 

Yesterday I spent a good portion of the morning wading through piles of paperwork.  How is it that so much paper can be accumulated in so short of a time?  I worked my way through bills, filing, taxes, receipts, and a whole lot of junk.  I handled calls, organizing and sorting.  When it came to the ginormous pile of writing stuff I needed to get organized I felt incapable of tackling it. 

Fortunately my stubborn side (not that I’m admitting to being stubborn) took over.  I looked through my office supplies and found things that would help.  I snitched (with his permission) an organizer from Ken’s side of the desk.  I set up the card table and started the sorting process.  I had no idea it would take so much.

My piles were poetry, projects, research, submission guidelines, rejection notices, and other.  On my daughter’s advice I let go the rejection notices.  They all went into the recycling bin.  Then I started working on sorting the other piles into smaller categories.  I got through the research pile and made a start on the submission guidelines pile.  I also made a list of a few places I had guidelines for but that they were outdated so I needed to go look up the new guidelines. 

That took me till 1 am last night.  This morning I’m up (barely), thinking, and almost ready to tackle these piles again.  I’m hoping to finish them off so I can actually work on writing. 

Lately, I feel like I’ve been lax at submitting things for publication.  I’ve been so focused on books (of which I’m neck deep in three or four of them) that I’ve not been submitting my poetry or articles anywhere.  I need a day where I can focus on that. 

Aside from my writing I still have two other bins on my desk to address – school issues and genealogy.  I’m not touching the genealogy until much later in the weekend but I do need to get the school stuff done.

As always I guess I have lots to do and need to just wade right in…

Financial Fidelity

On the Talk yesterday, they were discussing financial fidelity.  This means that you are open and honest with your partner about your spending, savings, finances.  You don’t hide purchases.  Leah Remini stated that the men in their lives make them lie by being critical of their purchases. 
No one makes us lie.  We lie because we don’t want to deal with the fallout from our actions.  If you are going to lie about what you are purchasing, what else will you lie about? 
Here’s the thing in my mind, if the hubby doesn’t like that you are buying too many of something then look at your purchases.  Are you?  Have you got excess that you don’t need?  Was the latest purchase an impulse?  If you do then maybe it is time to modify your actions. 
On the other hand, if it is just him saying don’t spend money, it needs to become a discussion about why he thinks he gets to say what you can and cannot do for small purchases.
Ken and I have always made a point of buying large things together.  Neither of us spends large sums of money without the other being aware of it.  The small purchases aren’t as important.  Yes Ken will grumble a bit about the number of books I have but he knows better than too much.  We both work.  We both bring in the money.  You know what though; if only one of us worked it wouldn’t matter.  It has always been OUR money.  We are a partnership and as such our money goes to pay the family bills and meet the family needs.
Your partner is the one closest to you and if you can’t be honest and straight forward with him, then you need to reassess your partnership.  Also this behavior begs the question – again – if she truly feels this way, why is she not taking personal responsibility for her own actions?  If you are spending money on shoes or books or whatever, and your husband objects then you need to own it.  Yes I went shopping and yes I bought more shoes.  I like them and I’m planning to continue.  He will either deal with it or the two of you will have an issue.  But face the fact that your actions may be causing that issue.