Erin Huss's Blog, page 5

August 29, 2016

August 15, 2016

Launch Day

August 8th, 2016—It’s the day I've been waiting for!2:45AM (because living in PST doesn’t always have it’s benefits)—I finalize my newsletter, inserting links to the USA Today, HEA interview and seeing if any other interviews I had done had been posted. Knowing my book has been live for several hours, I check to see if I’ve sold any books.A few.I’m bummed, for a few seconds, until I remember that most of the country is still asleep. It’s hard to make purchases when you’re asleep—although I have been known to do so.3:45AM—Back to bed I go, but not back to sleep. This is launch day! My book baby is now available to everyone. It’s exciting and scary—mostly exciting. I put my earphones in and listen to relaxing music until I fall asleep.6:45AM-Kids are up. They don’t care that it’s Launch Day. They’re hungry. I put on workout clothes and go get donuts. I mean, hey, it’s Launch Day! Calories don’t count on Launch Day. Especially if you’re wearing yoga pants.7:30AM—We eat our donuts, and now kids are wired. Climbing the walls. Literally. I check on my sales and reply to comments. Seems people are actually starting to buy my book. Eeeek!9:00AM—Laundry doesn’t care that it’s Launch Day, and frankly I don’t care about laundry. It’s piled high in the laundry room, and my son is out of underwear. Sigh. I do one load.10:00AM—Put baby down for a nap, think about actually working out since I am still in the correct dress, but decide to sit on the couch and watch Henry Danger with the kids.10:01AM—Fall asleep.10:25AM—Ten-year-old wakes me up. She’s mad because eight-year-old is breathing too loud. I tell eight-year-old to stop breathing. and then I go check social media. I feel overwhelmed by my amazing friends and family who are sharing the news of my book.12:00PM—Time to do a Facebook Live video. I curl my hair, except it doesn’t want to curl. Whatever. I put on some makeup and a nice shirt (still sporting my workout pants) and find good lighting in my daughter’s room. Crap, what to do with the kids. Text babysitter. She can’t come. Bribe kids with candy to stay downstairs for 10 minutes.12:15PM—Do Live Facebook video. I’m nervous. As I’m filming I can see how many people are watching. That’s great and scary all in the same breath. The Internet connection is spotty, going in and out. I lose my spot in my book, but still manage to finish without embarrassing myself too much. Phew. That wasn’t so bad. Facebook decides to use a freeze-frame picture of me with my eyes closed and a double chin for the cover photo. Great. Thanks, Facebook.1:00PM—Time to pay on my bribe. Off to Target we go. The kids can each pick out a candy and a toy because, hey, it’s Launch Day, and it’s just as much their day as it is mine. As we stroll through the toy section, the world starts to go fuzzy. Crap. I haven’t had anything to eat since the donut! I can’t do that. Blood sugar is dropping—fast. I need food—pronto. Check my bag for Glucose Tablets. Realize they’re on the kitchen counter. Great. Go to food court. Kid working the register is taking way too long. The world is really getting fuzzy. My thoughts are starting to blur, but I still manage to order most everything on the menu. I grabbed an Icee and took a few sips until my blood sugar rose and I could continue to make decisions again. Phew.1:30PM—Driving home. On the 101 North bound freeway when a rake falls off the back of a truck and comes flying towards my car. Crap! I glanced in my mirror. Clear. I swerved out of the way. That could have been so bad.1:45PM—We get home, thankfully, because that was a dangerous trip. I’m still shaking from the rake we narrowly escaped. Check Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and sales. Not too bad.2:00PM—The cleaners show up. It’s not their week, nor is it their day, their scheduled got mixed up but I nearly cry because I am so happy they are here and my laundry room is waiting, because my son is still out of underwear.3:00-5:00PM—Put the phone, computer and iPad away. Jump on trampoline, push kids on swing, and step in dog poop. Then husband comes home. I give him a kiss and a hug and then go take a nap. I’m tired.6:15PM—I’m up and getting ready. Husband made kids dinner (well, a restaurant made kids dinner, same thing) and we get ready to go out.7:30PM—At the Melting Pot. Our waiter is super frazzled. Probably because he’s not used to waiting on a famous author like myself. Ha! Kidding. But he messes up our order, several times, but who cares? It’s Launch Day and being a waiter is hard.9:30 PM—Time to go. Launch Day is almost over. I pull my phone out and sneak a peek under the table while Husband is paying the bill. “Holy Crap!” I yell. Oops. We’re in public. “Holy crap,” I whisper. People are buying my book. They’re really buying my book.9:45PM—We go home and I fall asleep, because launch day is awesomely exhausting.When I wake I find this-And I nearly scream.---Launch Day was a surreal blend of positive emotions. It was a hard journey, but so worth it.I hope you all get the chance to experience the pure joy of watching your dream become a reality.If you want to get your copy ofFor Rentyou can do sohere. Also available on iTunes and Barnes and Noble.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 15, 2016 21:38

August 11, 2016

Pinterest Board

I created a Pinterest board to go along with The Apartment Manager Series.You can check it outhere...
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 11, 2016 14:21

August 9, 2016

Donkey

Submitted: "Just when you thought you've heard it all someone brings in a miniature donkey and tells me it's their service pet."I'll admit...I kind of want one.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 09, 2016 16:01

August 8, 2016

For Rent is Out TODAY!

I'm still in shock.I wrote a book.A book about this crazy industry I've been blogging about for YEARS.This is a dream come true, and I can't wait for you all to read it.Get your copy here. 
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 08, 2016 10:01

July 31, 2016

Still Can't Pay My Rent

Because one book of excuses isn't enough!If you'd like to participate in the second book please see directions below.OR you can post your excuse in the comments.I will delete them after I have read it so don't panic if it disappears quickly
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 31, 2016 15:56

July 29, 2016

True Story

Back when I blogged anonymously, I was showing an apartment to a woman with two teenagers. While we were in the vacant unit, one of the teenagers told me, "You should totally look at this blog called, like, the apartment manager's blog. I die! It'll make you totally appreciate your job more cause her's is craaaazzzzyyyyy."
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 29, 2016 09:09

Call 911?

Someone posed the questions, "Why would you call 911 if they're the ones listening to our brains?"Guess it's just one of life's little mysteries.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 29, 2016 09:06

July 25, 2016

Win $20 Amazon Gift Card

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 25, 2016 10:03

July 6, 2016

Be Smart. Don't Start.

I get the sentiment.You want to protect your cabinets.Or you want to hide the ugly countertops in your rental.I too have lived in an ugly rental.I totally understand.Here's the deal, though.If installed correctly, contact paper does not simply peel off.Nope.You've got to chisel that junk off.Then, once the paper is gone, you've got to pick the leftover glue off.Then you've got to scrub to get the glue off.Then you've got to sand to get the glue off.Basically, that glue isn't coming off.And if it does come off--it's taking the paint with it.And I'm telling you this.Once that contact paper is gone, chances are you're left with a damaged surface.So when you're reaching for that cute roll of contact paper, remember this...Maintenance labor to remove it + cost to repair damage = Bye Bye Security Deposit and HELLO Bill.Just a friendly tip :)
1 like ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on July 06, 2016 13:27