A Flyover Blog

Homeschool Conference

This picture sums up how I felt after returning from the Home Educators' Conference last weekend.  (Hey, if you want pretty pictures, go visit Barb's blog -  A CHELSEA MORNING  lol) I did no heavy lifting; that's still a no no for me. But the days were very long and so was the drive.

Germantown/Collierville (TN) is where the conference took place.  It's absolutely gorgeous! The people were friendly, the hotel was comfy and we couldn't have been treated better at the conference.  Sleep was the only thing in short supply.  Our hotel was right across the street from a very busy railroad track.  It's been years since I slept within earshot of a train and I forgot how loud they are.  Our first night there, 7 trains went by. I counted.

The second night we got to bed around midnight.  At 1:45am my cell phone rang.  Wrong number.  At 3:30am the room phone rang. Mistake. At 5:10am I heard a dog barking at our door.  Still asleep, I said, "Mitch, let the dog in." "That's not our dog," he replied. He was right. Someone a few doors down let their dog out to pee in the courtyard. It stood outside our door and barked for 10 minutes before the owner finally figured out it had returned to the wrong room. I had a 6am wakeup call, so I just went ahead and got up.

Mitch held 2 workshops for his book, Your Path To A Job. The second was standing room only! We sold a bunch of books and met some wonderful vendors, conference directors, and home schoolers.  We know this book fills a need for homeschooled teens; now we just need to get the word out. We will absolutely attend other Homeschool conferences in the future.

Note to self:  Never wear heels to a conference or convention of any kind. Doh! 

Will Catch Up When We Get Back

If you're looking for my Thursday Thirteen post, sorry - no TT this week.

It's been a hugely busy week around here!  Tomorrow morning, Mitch and I are heading to Memphis, TN for a Home Educators' Conference. Way exciting. Mitch has been invited to hold 2 workshops on his book, Your Path To A Job. As for me? I'll be manning the book table!

So, before I could even pack, I had to get 6 days worth of work done in 3. I finished up just after noon today. It hasn't left much time for other things I enjoy - like blogging, answering emails, visiting my bloggy friends - you know, the important stuff!

Say a prayer; this conference will be my first big outing since surgery. The days will be long and I still get fatigued easily. I'd hate to have to crawl under the book table for a nap!  I'll tell you all about the trip when we get back.

And no, we're not going to Graceland while we're there.

Exciting News

Finding Your Path news flash: 

Mitch will be appearing at the Memphis-area Home Education Association Conference June 8th and 9th.  He'll be teaching 2 workshops on topics covered in his book, Your Path To A Job, and will be available to answer questions and offer advice.  I'll be accompanying him (I should be feeling perky enough by then to "man the booth")  This is a very good conference, with a large attendance expected, so if you're going to be there, let me know. I'll look for you; I'd love to meet some of my bloggy friends in person!

What A Great Review

My bloggy friend, Barbara H. of Stray Thoughts fame, posted a great review of my hubby, Mitch's book, Your Path To A Job. In January, Mitch sent copies out to Thursday Thirteen participants who agreed to read it and send him their feedback. Barbara went way above and beyond feedback; she included the book in her Spring Reading Challenge list!  Thank you, Barbara for your time, insight and thoughtful comments.  I can't tell you how much Mitch and I appreciate it!  He's posted the entire review on his blog. Click here to read it: Finding Your Path™

Only 3 Left...

Mitch has been giving away free copies of his new book, Your Path To A Job, this week on his blog.  He only has 3 left... SO, if you would like a copy and live in the US, click on over to Finding Your Path™ and leave your name on his Thursday Thirteen list.  He'll contact you for mailing instructions.  Have a blessed and restful Sunday!

DK

Free Books

Mitch is giving away 13 copies of his new book, Your Path To A Job, beginning tonight, so if you'd like a copy, make sure to check out his Thursday Thirteen list here  Finding Your Path™  after 7pm Central.

String of Mondays

Do you ever have a string of days that all feel like Monday?  You know, stress-filled, feeling like you're running behind, trying like crazy to whip everything into shape days?  I've been there a lot lately.  Trying to shove too much stuff into each day, feeling a bit tired, mostly mental fatigue.  Lots of appointments, lots of writing, then there's all the regular stuff we all do to keep our homes humming along in an orderly fashion.

I was watching Leno last night. (He has a new blog about his cars, have you been there yet? I haven't.) And I was trying to figure out where the fatigue and anxiety is coming from.  Honestly, I've been feeling like Tweek from South Park. I looked back at my schedule and discovered I haven't take a day off - I'm talking a whole day - since I had that kidney infection a few weeks ago and was drugged! Duh!

Part of my problem is my hobbies have turned into my work, so balance goes right out the window.  I will try to do better; please help keep me accountable.  I need to practice my guitar more, ride my bike - (I did do 5 miles Sunday!) - and do some things that require me to walk away from my computer.

The new movie script is progressing nicely, Mitch's book goes to print today, and I'm really excited about working with Craig, our book designer, on the new fiction series I've been telling you about. It's going to be awesome!  I just need to chill out and enjoy the process.  It's all about the journey, right?  Not the destination...

This afternoon we have a meeting with the book printer, and then we're going to watch nephew Nick run in the big conference cross country meet.  I'll be back with pics to post this evening.  Until then, hang in there and try to have some fun today! I will do the same... I promise.

It's October?

It was 92 degrees here today, but my calendar says it's October, so I addressed two Christmas cards and hung an autumn wreath on the front door while a ruby-throated hummingbird buzzed around my head.  It seemed just as confused by this weather as I am... and I thought Summer '06 was over!  In other news...

I received word this evening that I am now an official Thursday Thirteener!  This meme is great fun; if you don't participate, I encourage you to start!  I'm also a new Crazy/Hip Blog Mama.  I only qualify for this group because I am a god-parent.  Unfortunately, dogs do not count as children, no matter how pampered they are!

Thanks to everybody who stopped by Mitch's new blog, Finding Your Path, to say "hi".  He's gotten many visitors this past week - every one of them gracious and friendly.  There are a lot of great people cruising around the blogosphere!

This evening I received the finished draft of Mitch's book, Your Path To A Job, for one last proof - then it's off to the printer!  Our new publishing company, Flyover Media is off to a great start!  The whole publishing process has been very exciting, and we're already planning our next 3 books! 

While we're on the topic of new books, last week I asked all you fiction readers for input on a new book series I'm working on.  I received terrific (and detailed) feedback via this blog and by e-mail.  Thanks everybody... and keep those comments coming! 

More news as it develops. Stay tuned!

Calling All Book Readers - Input Wanted

I mentioned in an earlier post (#11 in last week's TT) that we've decided to push up publication of a series of novels I'm working on.  I'm really fond of this series; the books are so much fun to write! 

Without giving away too many details at this early stage, here's the scoop - this is contemporary fiction written for a mainstream audience, but with a Christian world view.  FYI: I'm a big believer in not preaching to the choir - meaning, I see no point in writing books solely for Christians; they already know God.  I prefer to cast a broader net and hope my stories knock down some of the many negative Christian stereotypes that exist.  I try to introduce readers to interesting, relevant, believable Christians.

This series has a large cast of characters that we'll follow from book to book.  There are ups and downs, frustrations and sad spots - and a lot of humor because, frankly, we all encounter idiots in this life and I believe God would rather have us laugh at them than shoot them.

I'll be meeting with the book designer in the next couple of weeks to discuss this project.  I have some ideas about what I'd like the books to look like, but they're still in that vague fuzzy stage.  Personally, I like something more than a great read.  I like rich colors, nifty maps, cool cover materials, interesting illustrations - in short, books that go beyond ink on paper and a good cover layout.  I like books that are collectible. 

So, here's your chance to influence the production of a new book series.  I want to know what you like in a book: 

• Tell me about colors and font size. 
• How long do you prefer to wait between publication of books in a series?  Six months? A year?
• Do you have favorite little book extras like recipes, bookmarks or photographs?
• What about a book's size - do you prefer traditional thick novels, or the new smaller books? 

Tell me anything you really like about your most treasured books... or that you'd like to see in a book.  No detail is too obscure, so dig out your favorite reads or take a walk through your local bookstore, and let me know what strikes your fancy.

I'll be looking for your comments!

The New Blog Is Up

We launched Mitch's new blog today!

It's called Finding Your Path and it's all about the series of business books Mitch is writing.  It's a really great concept - he's using Christian principals to reach people from all walks of life who work in non-professional occupations.  That includes service work, retail, blue-collar, skilled laborers, basically any line of work that does not require a college degree!

His first book, Your Path To A Job (pictured at right) is for anyone about to embark on a job hunt.  The advice is practical, earthy, on-point... and encouraging!

If you have a minute, drop by the new blog, meet Mitch and say "Hi". Here's the link:  Finding Your Path™