Tia Silverthorne Bach's Blog, page 91

Christmas Break Highlights: Embracing Fun and Family

I've been enjoying a wonderful Christmas break with my girls and husband. I look forward to this time every year. I'm very fortunate that my husband's company shuts down the last week of the year. It doesn't count against his vacation time, so we can count on having this time with him.

My Favorite Moments From the Week

* Christmas morning joy: Really, is there anything better than seeing their faces on Christmas morning? They are so happy and want nothing more than to play with each other. Fighting is put aside and harmony abounds. It's short-lived, but man is it sweet.


* Family bonding without the pressure: Time is proving to go way too fast, and I try to always focus on enjoying my family. But it's so much easier when there aren't any evening practices, homework assignments, rushed dinners, and tight schedules. Sometimes it seems all I do is beg them to hurry or finish an assignment.


* Getting away from it all: I work from home and am responsible for the majority of keeping the house clean, laundry, cooking, etc. My house can feel like my work place. To truly relax, I need to get away. This year we went to Williamsburg, VA and enjoyed Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. So much fun and no cleaning, cooking, and laundry fell on Mama (until we got home anyway).


* Seeing life through the eyes of children: Too often, our fast paced life robs us of the opportunity to enjoy the little things. A week full of scheduled posts and focusing on family allowed me to see the joys my children find in the simplest pleasures. A card game, making cookies together, taking a walk, or even snow. Although this year our snow came from the fake snow machine at Busch Gardens.


I won't pretend that it's been perfect, the fighting has definitely crept back into our daily existence. But a perfect family would be boring, and I'm all about the joy of imperfection.

Hope you and yours are enjoying the last week of 2011. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year's!

What has been your favorite part of the holidays so far?

Red Heart Shop: Guest Post by my mom, Angela Silverthorne

In the spirit of the holidays, we thought our readers would enjoy this fun, humorous tale. We hope everyone is enjoying the season and the rest of 2011.

*****
Red HeartShop Igrew up in a shop, a beauty shop, that is. My grandmother who was born in 1918decided to go back to school at 47. At the time, my mother was attending schoolat Georgia State, so I never considered it unusual to have strong, industrious,hardworking women around me. They never whined; they just did.

Consequently,calling my grandmother's place of business a shop was apropos. In my mind, hershop could be likened to any workshop where men gathered to get their carschecked out and pick up on the latest news traveling down the info pipe.Grandmother's shop steamed around the latest fandangle and the juiciest gossip.She used appliances, concocted hair remedies to grease and lubricate, and tackledcomplex problems on design and repair. She opened up at 7AM, often working 7days a week.  She got called at the lastminute, dealt with customer complaints, went to bed bone tired, and spent manyhours at the funeral home making someone's Mama look just like she did in life.And only Ms. Ann could do that.Ialways sat quiet, observing, listening. But my main intent was the conversation. I didn't want to miss oneluscious word, one dripping nuance or misnomer.

Oneday, Mabel (May – elongate and stretch the long a – Bell) came into the shop.She worked at the local mill, spool faced with cluster eyebrows. But this womanhad a presence. When she entered the room, heads turned. On one particular day,I was kneeling, holding the dustpan as grandmother swept up mounds ofmulti-colored hair, laying curls atop resistant white, driving smelly permsolution airborne, when Mabel blew in, slamming the door with a staggeringforce."Ann,"she said loudly, "The usual."

Grandmotherpushed the last mound toward me, motioning me to dispose of it. "I'll have yououtta here in no time flat," she stated, grabbing a cape and flinging it aroundMabel's neck. "What's new?"Twomagic words, "what's new," began a runoff of names, misdemeanors, andindiscretions, most of which I didn't understand. I did, however, understandthe dicey rhythm of word delivery and reception. At one point, grandmothermotioned for me to hand her a comb out of the sanitizer. I quickly maneuvered,delivering it directly into her outstretched hand.

Inone instantaneous flash Mabel had me by the arm, pulling me close. "Have youbeen eating dog food?" she asked, her other hand running through my hair."Mabel!"grandmother shouted, "What's into you?"

"Lookat this hair, Ann," she said, pointing. "It's like a dog's!"

Grandmotherlooked puzzled. When I winced, Mabel released my arm and exclaimed, "Dog food,dammit. She's been eating dog food. I've been coming here for years, asking forthis kind of hair, and you knew the secret all along, didn't you?"

Westared. The woman must be mad."Ann,my hair is fried. The last time I walked out of here, I saw her with this."Mabel pulled out a tin can of Red Heart. "See . . . right here on the front . .. that's her hair, sure enough. Don't deny it!"

Iwatched grandmother intently. She took the can out of Mabel's hand, slipped upher eye glasses, paused and then exclaimed, "Mabel, you found me out. But Icould lose my license over this.""Oh,honey, I'll never tell." She smiled broadly and winked.

WhenMabel left, grandmother turned to me, "Explain." FeelingI was in horrid trouble, I began, "Well, I give Shots food out of my hand. WhenI'm done, I'm all greasy, so I do this . . ." Clasping my hands together, Irubbed them vigorously, stretched my fingers wide and ran them through my hair."It musta worked. You haven't said my hair looked like a scarecrow in twoweeks."

Grandmotherreached down and kissed my forehead. She didn't say a word. But I did notice alot more Red Heart in the cupboard and a faint smell of it in the plasticbottle she kept by the wash basin. Funny how an odor can sit around on everythingand no one will say a word.

Card Playing Day

Today, December 28, is Card Playing Day. What a wonderful way to enjoy the holidays. Gather your friends and family, fill the table with treats and drinks (slip some stuff into the adults' drinks for added patience and warmth), and pick your favorite card game. Laugh, enjoy each other, and be merry.

My girls are 11, 9 and 6. Some of our favorite card games:
UNO - It's hard to find a game that all three ages can play well. This one works. You just need to recognize numbers and colors. The older they are, the more strategy they can play. But in the end, like most card games, it's the luck of the draw.Old Maid - What's more fun that sticking someone with Old Maid? I'm not very sneaky, so my kids read my face pretty well. It's the kid version of a poker face. And, finally, my kids are old enough not to start this game with, "That's not fair, I got the old woman."Would You Rather - My kids love this one, and I love the inevitable laughter. The card game is silly, but fun. It's a choice between would you rather scenarios. There are no winners or points, just pure fun. Example: Would you rather not be able to hear anything or not be able to taste anything? Apples to Apples - There are green cards with themes and red cards with random words. You throw down your best match of theme and word and the judge (the person throwing down the theme) picks the best one. So much fun. The point is to sit down with friends and family and have fun!

Hope you are enjoying the holidays.

What's your favorite card/board game? My family is always looking for more!

A Break for Reading: Guest Post by my Daughter, Jackie Bach

My lovely sixth grade daughter, Jackie, is a great sport. She rarely grumbles when I ask her to write thank you notes after Christmas, and even went along with my idea to write this post.

Enjoy her thoughts on Christmas break.

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Mom asked me to write a post for her blog this week. Like I don't write enough when I'm in school. She didn't even give me a topic,and I was in the middle of watching A Christmas Story when she asked.

She offered to type if I told her the words, so I made the deal.

I love Christmas break because I love being with my family. My sisters are nicer than normal, so I actually like playing with them (a little). I also love being home without homework because I have more time to read what I want.

Santa and my parents got me several books. And my Nana and Papa got me a Kindle Touch and a gift card for Amazon. I can't wait to download books!

I love to read series, so Mom and I are going to sit down later and look through Amazon. I've read 26 books since school started, and they were all 400 pages or more. I hope to read a few more over Christmas.

Right now, I'm reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. It's the second book in the Hunger Games Trilogy. So far I love them and can't wait for the Hunger Games movie next year.

Christmas break is all about wearing pajamas all day, playing games with my family, watching television, and the best of all... reading a good book.

Merry Christmas!

*****
I'm thinking there's a great opportunity to sit on the couch with a book in my hand and bond silently with her! She's definitely her mother's daughter.

Not to be outdone, my other two girls wanted in on the action.

Reagan, a 4th grader and sports enthusiast, is looking forward to doing the gingerbread house that "we were supposed to do before Christmas."

Wait, I think that's more of a note to Mom than a contribution to this post.

Maddie, my first grader, said she was just looking forward to no school and being with her family. I gave her a hug. My other two girls told me to stop treating her like a baby. ;-)

From our house to yours, we hope you are enjoying this last week of 2011.

What's your favorite part of the holidays once the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over?

After-Christmas Sales: Finding the Bargains

The time honored tradition of heading out after Christmas to amazing sales has diminished in a poor economy. In some ways, this is great because the deals run all the time since retailers are desperate to bring in much-needed sales. Still, I was extremely disappointed in the lack of deals during Black Friday this year. The sales were less than stellar, and certainly not worth the effort of heading out at midnight on Thanksgiving day.

Everybody in my house had a wonderful Christmas. We certainly do not need to run out and find great deals but we do have gift cards to use. My parents used to give me money on Christmas day, so I could shop the after-Christmas sales and get more clothes (all I wanted in the teen years). Well, I also wanted a cute boy to like me, but Santa never seemed to take those requests seriously. Maybe Santa's like the genie in Aladdin... no wishing for love.

More than anything, I'm looking forward to spending the next week with my three girls and husband. Everybody has the whole week off. I've written posts ahead and stocked a couple of book reviews in anticipation. Walking around a crowded mall will just add to the memories. Although I'm sure my husband disagrees.

For all of you who enjoy after-Christmas bargains, check out The Year of the Indie Celebration sponsored by WoMen's Literary Cafe. From December 24 through December 31, over 100 authors and 100 books are featured. If you buy three eBooks, you get one free. Please see the site for details.

I know Kindles were on a lot of people's lists, so it's time to fill them up at a bargain.

Wishing Everyone a Merry Little Christmas

Why reinvent the wheel? This song says it all, and says it beautifully. Judy Garland brought it to us first in Meet Me in St. Louis, a 1944 musical. 

We mean every word and wish everyone the very best of the season and many blessings in 2012. From our family to yours:

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas*
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,Let your heart be lightFrom now on,Our troubles will be out of sightHave yourself a merry little Christmas,Make the Yule-tide gay,From now on,Our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,Happy golden days of yore.Faithful friends who are dear to usGather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be togetherIf the Fates allowHang a shining star upon the highest bough.And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

* Music by Ralph Blane and lyrics by Hugh Martin.

A Holiday Poem: Happy Holidays!

'Tis the day before Christmas, and all through our house,
The children are always stirring, but, thankfully, no mouse.
The stockings are hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there.
The children rarely stay snug in their beds,
While visions of beach vacations dance in Mom and Dad's heads;
And Mama in her sweatpants and Dad in his baseball cap,
Would love to settle down for any kind of nap.
On Christmas morning our kids will awaken like aflash,
Tear open the presents, as if in a mad dash.
When, what to my wondering eyes will appear,
But three beautiful children holding their family dear.
I'll grab for the camera, so lively and quick,
And know to say a thank you to the idea of St. Nick;
Capture the precious memories with speed,And hope the true gift of Christmas they heed.
We hope ourfamily and friends, far and nearHave a wonderfulholiday with moments so dear.Take a moment tocount each of your treasures,And we wish youa 2012 filled with many pleasures.

I sent this poem out in my holiday letters this year, so I wanted to share it here with my favorite readers, bloggers, and writers. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and love of books with me this year.
May 2012 bring us all many great new reads and writing adventures!

Showing Gratitude As 2011 Draws to a Close

2011 has been an amazingyear for me. Thanks to the wonderful writing and reading community, I havelearned so much about the craft.


I wanted to express mygratitude in a fun way. Writers are:
Generous:It never fails to amaze me how giving authors and readers are. They aregenerous with their knowledge and their support.
Resilient:A true writer writes. They don't let a less than stellar review or any otherobstacle keep them from the craft.
"It is impossible to discourage the real writers—they don'tgive a damn what you say, they're going to write."  Sinclair Lewis
They givea damn and process input, but you can't stop the truly passionate writer.

Aware: Everymoment in life adds to a writer's story bank. Living life is invaluable.
Teachers:When they find out new information, they pass it on. They don't covet knowledge,instead they use blogs to pass on what they are learning in this ever-changingindustry.
Inspirational:The support from my writer friends keeps me going. When I have a bad writingweek or stumble through parts of my story, they are there to encourage and giveme that much-needed push in the right direction.
Thankful:The writing community loves readers. We know without fellow book lovers, ourjobs would be less rewarding.
Unbridled:Writers access their heart and passionately release it through words.
"Wordsare the voice of the heart." Confucius
Dedicated: The writing spirit is contagious, especially when you see people who write through all life's obstacles.
Efficacious: Writers "have thepower to produce a desired effect." Words are the power.
"Therole of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable tosay." Anaïs Nin
As 2011 comes to a close, I want to thank all my newfound writer friends for their support. You knowwho you are. And a special thank you to readers, especially those who have read Depression Cookies .

I am particularly gratefulfor the following writing communities I found this year: Kait Nolan's A Round of Words in 80 Days, Rachael Harrie's Writers' Platform-Building Campaign, Michelle Rafter'sBlogathon, the SheWrites community, and Melissa Foster's WoMen's Literary Cafe.

The Gift of a Smile: Guest Post by my Mom, Angela Silverthorne

Please welcome my lovely mother to the blog again.

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TheGift of a Smile
Ah,Christmas . . .
Jesus.Trees. Lights. Cards. Presents. Carols. Joy. Stockings. Friends. Family. And,Mama.
Mamawas always the first one I thought of at Christmas. I'd get to buy her two presents.One for Christmas and the other for her birthday. I never forgot her telling mehow she hated being a Christmas baby. She felt either Christmas or her birthdaywas always being slighted.
[image error] At15, I went to work for Cato's Department Store. It was the first time I ever had money of my own. That Christmas I bought my first present,and it was for Mama's birthday, a lavender sweater.
OnChristmas morning, we all opened our gifts. Mama had several. Most said, "MerryChristmas and Happy Birthday." She opened them, set them aside, and politelythanked everyone. I watched and waited.
Laterthat day, I slipped over to my grandmother's house and baked Mama a birthdaycake. More than anything, I couldn't wait to see her face when I surprised her.
Thenext morning, I got up early, ran over to grandmother's and rushed back homewith Mama's cake. Proudly I sat it in the middle of the kitchen table. Next Iretrieved her birthday gift hidden under my bed, wrapped in the previousSunday's comic paper. I didn't have any ribbon; so, I used a tattered scarf mygrandmother gave me. Placing it next to the cake, I waited and watched.
Withinminutes Mama came down the hall, sleepy-eyed and shuffling in the pink bedroomslippers she had gotten for Christmas. I watched her every move. When she lookedup and saw the table display, she halted. I watched and waited. Then tears sliddown her face one by one.

That'sthe first time I remember seeing Mama cry. At first, I thought I had donesomething wrong. I felt a tightening in my chest. You know, the sudden kindonly a 15-year-old can experience. Then in the middle of tears, she smiled.
Today,I saw the perfect sweater for my mother's birthday. It would showcase herbobbed silver hair and blue-gray eyes. I held it up, and then held it close.Tears sprang up so fast I struggled to blink them away. Tenderly I laid it backdown with the others, making sure I caressed it before walking away.
Mymother's birthday is on December 26. This is the third year I will not be ableto be with her. She died in April 2009. The second year after her death, I didthe same thing. But for a minute, I forgot about her death and started to callher to see if she'd like to be daring and go with a hot pink sweater. That timeI did cry. Out loud and in public. I didn't even try to squelch the grief andheartache of missing her.
Thefirst Christmas without her, I ached—a deep, longing ache. I was numb, refusingto believe there could be a Christmas without Mama. I bought flowers and putthem on her grave. Then I went out and bought her a navy sweater. It's stillwrapped. In comic paper. Tied with a tattered scarf. Under my bed, until ournew dog found it. Now it's safe in my closet.
I'vedecided when I die if anything can pass through the curtain of death, I'mdragging my present to Mama just to see her smile, one more time.
Asmile. The gift of a lifetime and into eternity. 
*****
Are you missing someone special this holiday season?

Sale or Clearance Values: ROW 80 Check In

I'll be the first to admit it . . . my to-be-read pile grows at an alarming rate when I see 99 cent eBook prices. My heart skips a beat, but my brain pauses. Wait, why is it 99 cents?

I love red tags and clearance. My kids constantly moan when I say I'm not buying something because it's full price. I'll wait for an item to go on sale and will rarely buy something at regular price. Sometimes the waiting makes me appreciate it more.

But there's a difference between sale and clearance. Don't get me wrong, the occasional amazing product marked down beyond all reason will produce an embarrassing squeal of delight from me. More often than not, however, I wonder why an item is on clearance. Is it defective? Unpopular? Not selling well?

As an author, I know the time and energy that goes into a novel or short story or even an article. A piece of me is in every work I produce, a little blood, sweat, and tears if you will. How do I assign a value to that? I'm also an avid reader, and I want to purchase as many books as I can.

Mom and I originally had a small press publishing our novel, Depression Cookies . The owner was a lovely man who encouraged us and was our editor. He helped shape our novel. Unfortunately, he passed away suddenly as we were nearing publication. We panicked. We didn't know where to turn. We turned the wrong way, to Xlibris Corporation. I would self-publish again, and have met an amazing community of independently published novelists, but I would never go through a company like this. However, those rantings are for another post.

Xlibris set our price. $23.99 for a paperback and $9.99 for Kindle. Highway robbery if you ask me. But they didn't. Mom and I sold 600 of our own books (which we purchased for $10+ a piece) for $15. Much more reasonable for a paperback. I didn't know about Smashwords for a long time, and then was completely daunted by it for a while longer, so I didn't think I had any control over my Kindle price.

We are happy to announce that we are in the process of uploading to Smashwords and will be promoting our book there soon.

But, back to pricing. What's a fair price but also shows value and worth? I don't want to turn off a reader, but I also don't want them to question the worth of the product. The reader should be thinking sale, not clearance.

What ebook price screams clearance/less value, and what price seems like a bargain/good value?

*****
My Last ROW80 update for 2011:

I value my ROW80 buds and hope you will offer some guidance on the subject above, although I know many of you struggle with this question.

I've been hard on myself this round about not meeting goals, but I must say I've accomplished more writing this holiday season than I have in years past. Normally, I'd use the holidays as an excuse. Not this year. And I have all of you to thank.

I wish all of you the best of the holiday season and many words (and other blessings) in 2012. I'll see you in Round 1 2012!

Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say. ~Sharon O'Brien
 Thanks for encouraging my passion through support and shared knowledge. It's a gift I've appreciated receiving.