A Pampered Weekend

Sometimes I really, REALLY, like being single. Sure I have those moments where I wish there was someone to love me or even have dinner with, but for the most part I like my life. Take Friday night for instances.

Shortly before leaving work for the day, I got an email from the library saying the item I had on hold was available. For this particular book, I had to wait a few months just for my library to get a copy in the system and then spent about a month on the waiting list once the book showed up in the system. I was very excited. And even more excited when I realized I didn't have to put on my publicist hat that evening.

Because of allergies (flared up because I mowed the lawn last Sunday), I had an annoying sinus headache. I decided I deserved a little pampering. What better way than a bubble bath with a great book.

I soaked in the tub for OVER AN HOUR. I was pretty engrossed in my book and didn't realize how long it had been. I was quite pruney, but really relaxed. I thought about checking my email after I got out of the tub, but decided I would just climb into bed and read for a little bit more. Once again time slipped by, and as I turned the last page of my book, I realized it was 1:15 AM. I'm NOT a night person and I've been so tired all week. I only get two days to sleep as long as I want. All I could hope was that I would sleep in.

No such luck. At 6:45 am I was wide awake. Well, I'm not sure if wide is the correct term,  but nonetheless I was definitely awake. At least the dogs didn't insist on going out immediately. I was able to enjoy a lazy breakfast, too bad I was too tired to make something good, and watched old re-runs of My Favorite Martian. 

By about 10 am the dogs were getting antsy though.

And I decided to start my day. I needed to grocery shop, but I wanted to get my toes done. I usually go right before Easter, but the weather has been so up and down I wasn't sure if I would get to wear sandals soon enough to make it worth it. I don't think that will be an issue any longer. And since the mall is on the way to the grocery store...

I really enjoyed the Fuchsia last year, I decided to try the purple sparkle. It's something different than the normal reds I use. I also love the massage chairs. I finished up my grocery shopping and took the dogs out to my parents' house to run in the woods.

Now, I'm going to continue my pampering by enjoying my splurge grocery item - Moose Track ice cream from Aldi's.

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Weekend Warrior..um...Writer

Last weekend it rained all day Saturday. I barely was able to find a time when the rain was nothing more than a mist in order to get the dogs out to potty. I've mentioned I'm a book blogger. As such, I have a review pile that is quite large. Rainy days are the perfect time for curling up with a book. So one option was to spend the day reading.

I've neglected my house a bit as I took on a bit too much freelance work. And finally the kitchen ceiling repair was finished, but there was a fine film of dust and grit on all the surfaces. I'm behind in the laundry, too. I could have spent Saturday tidying up around the house.

I did do a little reading and I wiped down the surfaces in the kitchen, but that was not what I spent the weekend doing. I decided to write a book.

What?!

That is kind of the response I got from the few I shared my idea with. What can I say, everyone is doing it these days. And thankfully, it isn't something your mother would respond with "If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?" No, writing a book isn't really a bad idea. With any luck, I'll make a little pocket change.

On my other blog, Girl Who Reads, I write a weekly tips post doling out advice and tips, so I have a number of possible topics to write a book on. Actually last winter, I tried to write a full book for book bloggers. It turned out to be too big of a project with all I had going on at the time and I abandoned it.

The past month or so, I've been mulling ideas about expanding my freelance business and what I could do to make a little extra pocket change. A number of book bloggers have started to organize blog tours, myself included. But I also now several do-it-yourself authors, who have asked for advice about setting up tours on their own. Last summer, when I wasn't sure if I wanted to start my own freelance business I wrote a tips post for bloggers and authors who wanted some pointers on blog tours. I had a few other posts I could pair with it and decided that I could put together a short how to manual. I've read several such books. Typically, less than 100 pages on a specific topic - using Pinterest for marketing, etc.

I learned during my dissertation writing that I worked best if I could write an entire chapter in a weekend. One chapter I wrote in a day - over 12 hours. This knowledge strengthened my resolve to write a mini-book. And that is what I did last weekend. Between pasting posts and adding new content I wrote over 4,000 words on Saturday and added more than 5,000 words on Sunday for a total just under 10,000 words.

I contacted some friends in the blogging/writing world about reading through it. I've also contacted a friend about doing a cover. I got great feedback on the manuscript and have spent today addresses a few of their points and adding some information I thought of this week. The second draft is no complete and with it I believe all the content is compiled as well. I've contacted another author friend to read through it, but mostly all that is left is proofreading and polishing and gathering all the front/back matter (copyright page, acknowledgements, etc.). I'm hoping to publish it the beginning of June.

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A Mother's Day Giveaway

Celebrating Moms

I may not be a mom, but I love my mom. I know not everyone grows up with a super great mom, but I did. She is still the first person I call when things go badly (like when my toilet overflowed when I had the stomach flu), but she's also who I call nightly just so she knows everything is okay with me.

Join us for an exciting giveaway from Save1.com worth $800 in value, and enter for your chance to win one of four Amazon e-gift cards! One winner will receive the Grand Prize of a $500 Amazon e-gift card, and three winners will receive a $100 Amazon e-gift card! We hope this will be a very special blessing to all the moms out there. Enjoy this delightful infographic about mothers and don't forget to enter for your chance to win in the giveaway!

*Will you help Save1 reach their goal of feeding 100,000 children? Each time you and your friends share their website on Facebook, "Like" their Facebook page, and sign up for their newsletter, Save1 will provide three meals to a child in need. This takes just 60 seconds to complete! Go here to help make it happen now.

Giveaway Time!

This special Mother's Day giveaway is brought to you by the generous sponsors at Save1.com.

This event was organized by Rebecca at Love2EncourageYou.

Prize: There will be four winners total for this giveaway. One (1) winner will receive the Grand Prize of a $500 Amazon e-gift card! Three (3) winners will each receive a $100 Amazon e-gift card! The total value of all prizes included in this giveaway is $800 value in Amazon e-gift cards! Location: Must be a resident of the USA or Canada. Age: 18 years or older to enter. Void where prohibited. Date: This giveaway begins on 5/02/2013 and will end on 5/12/2013 (Mother's Day) at 12:01am Eastern time. Please support the sponsor and follow Save1 on:

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Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter form below. Once you have signed up for Save1’s newsletter, the only mandatory entry, it will unlock the additional optional giveaway entries that you can enter to increase your chances of winning. If you complete ALL entries in the giveaway form you are entitled to a free bonus of 10 additional entries! Best of luck to each of you! Happy Mother's Day! a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Rebecca at Love2EncourageYou shares: "Special thanks goes out to the following blogs: My Journey to Living Well, Thrifty 4nsic Gal, Sweet Pennies From Heaven, Luker Family Tales, The Deal MatchMaker, the space between, Qpon Junkie, Finger Click Saver, and Lost Island of Book Reviews.

Disclosure: Love2EncourageYou and A Single Gal in Suburbia are not responsible for sponsor prize fulfillment. My Blog's Name was not compensated for this post except for a link on the giveaway form. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Amazon in any way. Please see official rules in the Rafflecopter giveaway form. All winning entries will be verified.

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Minor Accident Equals Major Headache

A little over two weeks ago I was in a fend bender. I was stopped coming off the loop when the guy behind me bumped my bumper. It really was minor, but it did crack my bumper and mess up the paint. Just enough damage to be an inconvenience. Only thing wrong with the other vehicle - the vanity plate broke.

It was the end of the week before the insurance company contacted me and I was afraid to take in my vehicle before my trip to the Renaissance Festival. I did not want to drive in Atlanta traffic in a strange car and I also knew I would be parking in a field - I could just imagine the damage that could be done.

Instead, I waited until this past Monday to take my car into Elite Paint and Body. I had made plans already with Enterprise for a rental car a week in advance and I also called Monday morning to make sure everything was set for picking me up at noon. I assumed with over a week's noticed that a car would be ready for me. Not the case apparently. I had to wait about 20 minutes while they got a car cleaned up and gas.

I don't really like driving and was nervous about being in a different car (I've driven my car for 13 years). I was given a Ford Focus. Not a bad car, but hard to see out of, particularly when the flap over the trunk is half obscuring the back window because it isn't latched into place. I only drove the car a little ways before stopping to get something to eat and adjust the mirrors. The car felt like it was driving funny, but I thought it was just me driving a different car.

At the end of the day, I'm heading home on a busy highway when the low tire pressure light comes on. I had just been thinking I need to check the vent and door on the passenger side when I get home because something was vibrating loudly. The vibration - a bad tire. By morning the tire was completely flat. For how concerned Enterprise staff seemed about possible cosmetic damage to a car, you would think they would ensure they only sent out cars that were road worthy. It could have resulted in a horrible accident.

I was so dismayed and stressed about the situation. Seriously, I had drive the car less than hour total and maybe 20 miles total. I think statistically the odds of the tire issue being my fault are slim to none.  I tweeted Enterprisecares. The power of social media - you got to love it. Within minutes I had a response and the next morning my local Enterprise was super helpful and apologetic. They brought me a new car to my house and I had no more problems.

I picked up my car Thursday evening and it looks good - the inside is cleaner than it has been in a LONG time. This is the first time I've used Elite Paint and Body. I'm disappointed that no one did a walk around with me when I picked it up. The body shop I used before (they are no longer in business) always went over what they did and had me look at the car to make sure I thought everything looked right.

I'm so glad to be back in my own car. Too bad insurance doesn't cover time, stress and inconvenience a little accident can incur.

Photo credit: Red Car by Laurie Williams

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