Crap Chronicles

I know what you are thinking.... Why am I posting this on by blog? Well, my neighbor and friend, Diana Estill, who is a writer has asked me to design the graphic work and layout on all of her latest book covers and this just happens to be her latest, titled Crap Chronicles. And, yes this time it is exactly what you are thinking: funny, horrible stories of her family with IBS. 

She sent us an advance copy and I was in my office working and I could hear my hubby laughing his head off while reading this at the kitchen table. He also kept making an OHHHHHHH sound with a  huge chuckle. I have read it too and it is quite funny.

As I love to help my friends out I thought I would post her email and hope that my loyal readers will in turn help her out.
*************************************************


By Diana:

These are the stories I swore I'd never write, the ones that seemed too embarrassing to confess. Nonetheless, I've divulged some of my (and my kin's) worst and funniest moments for the grand price of 99 cents. (Yes, I'm that cheap.) You can find links to all the various sellers in my signature line below.

 

The next few days will be critical, in terms of how Amazon ranks my new book. So, if you can spare a few moments, I'd GREATLY appreciate it if you'd be willing to do any of the following to assist this title in gaining its initial foothold.  TIMING IS EVERYTHING, so the sooner the better, in terms of how these efforts might affect the book's Amazon rankings.

 

If my book title can make it into the top 100 of any category, right away, it will gain more visibility and be seen by a larger audience and possibly go all the way to the bestsellers' list. My goal is 10,000 sales before year end. Can that be done? Yes! But it can't be done without YOU.

 

Here are some ways you can help my book gain traction:

 

1)  Buy the eBook (That one was rather obvious, wasn't it?)

 

2)  Gift the eBook to a friend (There is a button on the Amazon page that allows you to do this. All you need is your friend's email address.)

 

3)  Click on the "Like" button at the top of the Amazon book page, just underneath the title

 

4)  Click on any or all of the "Tags" which can be found by scrolling down the Amazon book page to the section that reads, "Tags Customers Associate with This Product."

 

5)  Post a review of this book on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Goodreads.com, or your personal blog.

 

6)  Rate the book. (See final page on Kindle to post your rating.)

 

7)  Post a link on your FaceBook account.

 

8)  Comment on MY Facebook page.

 

9)  Send a link to my excerpt to your friends who might appreciate my brand of humor.

 

10) Comment on my blog (where I talk about why I wrote this eBook).

 

 

Thank you for your support! I'll keep you posted on my progress!

 

 

 

Diana

Diana Estill
Author of Stilettos No More, Deedee Divine's Totally Skewed Guide to Life, and Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road

 

New Kindle Release! The Crap Chronicles: When IBS Strikes in all the Wrong Places

 

Also available for NOOK

 

Don't have an eReader? Visit www.smashwords.com and download a PDF version

 

Read an excerpt here: http://thecrapchronicles.com/Crap_Chronicles_excerpt.html

 

www.thecrapchronicles.com

 

 

Back to School Portraits with Siblings

My first ever Back to School Portraits. But of course I have to shake things up a bit by adding siblings as an add on! I'm very excited and hope you are too.

 More details to follow! 

Am I still a Californian or a Texan? Part Three

I thought today was a perfect day to finish my Cali vs. Texas blog.  Seven years ago today we made the big move to Texas, said good bye to Cali forever. Ha, you know what they say about forever? Or is it never? lol One day we just might move back but for now we are staying put and enjoying Texas. Well, most of the time. It is bloody hot and flat here. Oh come on, it's not like you don't know how hot and flat it is here?

 In my previous blogs I've ranted, yes, I do believe I did rant a little  about all the wonderful things regarding Cali. Mostly the food, my beloved sports teams, and missing my friends and family. And, I didn't even mention the gorgeous weather, the winery's, beautiful scenery with the mountains and the ocean, and all the fun things to explore. Oops, I think this blog is suppose to be talking up all the wonderful things about Texas and I'm still singing Cali's praise. Sorry, old habit, I have lived there a lot longer. Which brings up this story:  One of my chiropractor's assistants said to my BF, Liddie,  last week that, "Karyn's all California". Not sure what that means exactly, but funny that he mentioned it after 7 years. I thought I was slowly converting...

Ok, back on track now... What I love about Texas is the people.  I've always heard about the Southern Hospitality but have never experienced it until I moved here. I know technically Texas is considered a Gulf State, but it feels more Southern to me. I love how social Texas is, I love how perfect strangers can become best friends standing in line at the grocery store, and I love that y'all want to have a "get together" every weekend. ( Did you notice how I threw in that little "y'all"?)

Texas has changed me for the better. The culture has allowed me to become more friendly, less shy, and dare I say more fun.  I remember house hunting with our realtor and as we were driving around the neighborhoods people were waving at us. I thought wow our realtor is well known in the community. I finally asked her how she knew all these people. She laughed and told me she didn't know them,  that it's just what you do in Texas to your neighbors. Wow, we aren't that friendly in Cali and it's what makes Texas so special. It makes up for the heat which you do become acclimated to.  100 degrees just doesn't feel as hot as it did our first two summers here. So yes, I do believe I might be turning into a Texan. Is that the gauge of how Texan you are? If you don't melt in the heat and you own a pair of cowboy boots? I did buy my first pair last year! lol

Texas certainly takes pride in their state, which I admire. The Texas Star is proudly displayed everywhere, and I do mean everywhere...  I haven't made the jump to actually buy one, but you never know, ask me in another five years and I might have one displayed somewhere in my home. lol

I also love the shopping. Cali has nothing on Texas compared to great shopping. I do admit it is one of my favorite past times. Y'all have more malls than I have ever seen. (Ha ha, did you notice the "y'all" again?)

Texas, thank you for welcoming us to your state. We appreciate it and thank you.

Meet Gary Head!

Gary asked me to photograph his Corporate Headshot with Morgan Stanley.  Mind you I've known Gary since we moved to Texas 7 years ago. It's actually a funny story on how we met. We were only in Texas two days and I was at Williams High School signing up my daughter for school. His wife, Susan, overheard me telling the counselor we just moved into town and she asked me where from. We started talking and the more we talked, the more we found we had in common.  We both moved to Texas from out of state within the last week, we were  both moving to Murphy, both building in the same subdivision,  and both living in the same corporate housing while we were waiting for our houses to be built.  It was just meant to be. We have been best friends ever since. I love that about Texas! You all have that southern hospitality thing down. :)

I'm very excited about his adventure with Morgan Stanley. We trust Gary with our financial future and I must say he has been the best financial planner we have ever tried.

He actually keeps an eye on our investments and emails us regularly when we need to sell, buy, or move it.  He also sends us a "link" that he knows would be of interest to us. Thanks Gary, we appreciate it.

Meet Gary 

If you are looking for a new financial planner, I highly recommend him. He is limiting his client base to ensure that he can keep an eye on you and your investments. I like that! I've posted below his all of his info.  FYI, he is also licensed in California. I love our global economy.

Gary Head

 

Financial Advisor

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

One Legacy Circle

7500 Dallas Parkway #500

Plano, TX 75024

Direct: 972-943-7246

Toll Free: 800-965-8207

Fax: 972-943-7299

Email: gary.head@mssb.com

Website: www.fa.smithbarney.com/gary.head

And this is not a paid political endorsement nor do I receive any paid monies from this. Rereading what I just wrote sounds like one. I can't help it if I want to share when I find something good. But, Gary, I'm up for a referral fee. lol Just kidding.

My Gift to the active Military!

Yesterday's post about my dad is still sitting with me. There isn't a day I don't think about my dad and how much I miss him. How he provided for his family of 6, taught me to ride a bike, and took me and my three brothers to all the James Bond and John Wayne movies.

He was so very talented in many areas. He was a wonderful painter,  fabulous cook, reupholster, leather craftsman (I still have a purse he tooled with a beautiful design and then sewn together), and a mechanic who could fix anything.  Plus, his years of service to our country, with his rough conditions to serve could not have been easy. After all, he was just a young man who grew into a wonderful family man. An everyday man that we cherish who did the right thing.

Well, I started digging around looking for the other image I knew I had of my father when he served. This is just too good not to share. Wasn't my dad handsome?

This started me thinking about all those other young men and women serving their country who are missing their families and perhaps without a family portrait to cherish. I can't help but put the two items together. After all, I am missing my dad, thinking about our freedom and how much I enjoy my family portraits. I know it's not easy to afford professional photography on a military income. This is where I can help. God has blessed me with such a wonderful gift to capture moments in time to be remembered forever. Corny I know, but it's true and how I feel. I look back on images that I have taken of my kids when they were young and it still melts my heart. Or the great images I have of my parents when they were in high school, their wedding images, and even the photographs my mom had taken of all of us as kids.

Our military gives us so much, so now I would like to give to them. All active military personnel will receive a 50% discount on the creation fee and 25% discount on all images.  I want you all to have and cherish what I have.

God Bless.

Happy Fourth of July & Thank you for your Service

With the Fourth of July upon us you can't help but think of how we achieved our freedom and what we are celebrating.  Growing up I heard stories of my dad in World War II. War is not pretty, glamourous, or a welcome option, but sometimes a necessity.  Oddly, it was my mom who would tell us stories of what he went thru in the navy as a "fueler".  He was aboard a smaller ship and they would travel to the full size ships to refuel them.  He never liked to talk about it, even 30 years later.

One story my mom told was when they were on rations for weeks and eventually ran out of food. Some of the sailors lost 50-60 pounds. Can you imagine trying to stay alert and active on no food. War is tough.

My mom also told the story of how my dad helped save the entire ship by acting quickly and gunning down a Kamikaze pilot before he could reach their ship. No wonder he never liked to talk about it. I would imagine that stays with you for a long time.

This is my favorite picture of my dad taken in 1945. He was proud to serve his country and marched down to the Navy office and signed up when he was only 19 years old.

Thank you to all of our military past and present!  Your sacrifices make and continue to make this country what it is today. We know it's not an easy life and we pray for your safe return.

As a photographer I realize how priceless family images are, something to be passed down from generation to generation. Look at me with this beautiful photo of my dad taken in 1945 that I proudly display on my bookcase. I cherish it more than I can say.  I'm teary eyed as I type this because I am missing my dad terribly who passed away in 1993. Thank you dad, I love you.