Wow Factor

“It’s promo day!” I smiled and cheered. Darting my eyes at the clock on the wall, I saw that it was nine in the morning. My second cup of coffee wasn't far from my lips.

Troy paused the TV as to hear me better. Storage Wars was on. Darrell was mid wink.  “Wahoo!” Troy cheered, smiling my favorite smile, and like always, making me smile more so.

Our latest TV obsession is A&E’s Storage Wars. I’m sure you've seen it. And I’m also sure if you have tuned in, you've been like us and unable to tear your eyes from it once the train wreck begins.

What will they find?

What will Barry drive up in?

What will Brandi be wearing?

What will Jarrod throw at Brandi?

With all of this in mind, we decided to go to a storage auction near our hometown, in Idaho Falls. But before we could play Storage Wars, we went to the UPS store and had some fliers and posters printed for my upcoming book signing. My brother, photographer, and brilliant cover artist, Nick Boyer, used his mad photo-shopping skills and made me some posters to have printed. An hour and fifty four dollars later, the posters and fliers were in my hands. Excitement, awe, and pure gratification flooded me I saw my name in the same vicinity as Barnes and Noble and book signing.

Talk about a wow factor!

With forty minutes to get there, we hopped in the truck, and were on our way to the auction. It was sunny. Sixty five. Perfect for an auction. When we pulled up, a crowd of various dudes, ladies, and kids welcomed us with suspicious glances. I imagined them thinking, “whose the newbie’s?”

Some were sporting tanks and flip flops, other’s had on cowboy boots and lots of plaid. One fellow had on a skin tight green Mountain Dew T shirt, and to complete his look a matching hat. To my disappointment, Brandi, Jarrod, Darrell, Dave, and Barry were missing, although I did keep scanning the crowd, just in case.  

With a confident smile, I thought to myself, they’re all going down! We have this crowd.

After signing in, we followed the group to the first auction. My eyes widened as the lady auctioneer cut off the lock and opened the gate to reveal….

Nothing.

Sacks of unknown items. A baby walker. An unlabeled box, it all screamed, DON'T bid. OK. No wow factor there. Either way, we both took turns having a peak in with our trained eyes. 

Shaking his head, Troy said, “Nope, this one’s not for us.”

Part of me wanted to argue with him and go for it. As I've seen the cast do on the show. But I held back. The unit went for a whopping fifteen dollars. The next was similar and went for thirty three dollars.

The third and final locker looked appealing. I could totally see Jarrod, Barry, Darrel, and Dave, all in bidding war over it and it going for 2k or more.

“Yuuuppp!”

“There’s a piano in there!” I whispered to Troy loud enough for all to hear. The crowd turned and eyed me, wondering what my angle was. I smiled sheepishly at the guy with the Mohawk.

“Babe, quiet!” Troy met my eyes with slight disappointment.

I figured, hey, if I can see it, and with one nearly blind eye, so can the dude in the Mountain Dew shirt and lady with the blond wig. And not to mention, I was wearing my lucky Glocket necklace. I couldn't lose.

Either way, the third and the last locker went for one thousand dollars. We didn’t win. We didn’t even bid. But we also didn’t break our backs digging through someone else’s abandoned items in hopes of MAYBE finding a treasure.

Sometimes when you lose, you win.

After the speedy twenty minute auction, we proceeded on with the promotion of my book signing, May 4th. We went to Barnes and Noble. It was windy. As always. My fliers were carefully stuffed in window shields. They flapped excitedly in the strong breeze, like little contained kites. The employees were super nice and agreed to even to pass them out when customers purchased a book inside the store!  We also saw a large poster of my event on the front windows of the store.

One hundred fliers later, and a sandwich from Gandolfo’s, we went to Freeman Park and played disc golf: one of our favorite pass times.

 Despite the constant brutal winds, we played eighteen holes and met a new friend named, Grant. 

I had a couple of great throws and couple of horrendous ones as well. Troy did very well and came in under par. It was a great time. 

Ready for more wow factor?

It was six o’clock on Saturday and our weekend was far from over.

“Wanna go to Yellowstone?” Troy asked, wagging his pale eyebrows with excitement.

“Yes!” I love going to new places. He loves going to new places. It was a win-win.

Troy got on his phone and booked us room in West Yellowstone. 

Three hours later, at about nine o’clock, we arrived in West Yellowstone. Everything was blanketed in a purple cast of magical eeriness. It was dusk. It was chilly. 

It was Yellowstone! 

We were gonna see some bears, I just knew it.

The next morning, excitedly we headed out towards the park. No bears were spotted, but Mule deer, mountain goats, and a numerous packs of Bison greeted us. 

There was rain. Snow. Sun at some point. 

Glorious views to be seen everywhere we looked. 

In closing, just a quick update with what’s going with my book: things are going very well, sales are steady, reviews have been very positive and great. Check them out on goodreads Its been amazingly validating! And I have numerous upcoming book signings for the next few months. How exciting! Be sure to like me on Facebook and keep updated with everything I have going on.

 I am grateful for so many things. Connections with other authors, bloggers, readers, fans and reviewers.

Who knew that writing a book would open so many doors? 

Wow factor?

 Indeed. 

This Morning I Woke Up on the news

Excitement provoked me to wake way before my alarm even had a chance. The early morning blackness was still settled and camped out in my room. Looking at the time, I saw that is was 3:33. OK, so I was a little keyed up and couldn't sleep. No biggie. I made some coffee. Lots of coffee. Played some Neko Case tunes, and soaked in a tub full of bubbles. All the while I practiced what I wanted to say. I've never been on TV before. The thought both terrified me and thrilled me. What an honor and a blessing.  Although I was excited, my stomach protested; it twisted and turned at the thought. I blocked out any negative, 'what if's' thoughts, and replaced them with, you can do this. You can do this. You can do this. 

Believe you can and you're half way there.

This is what you're meant to do.

         I got out of the tub and got dressed in what I feel like was a Kate Middleton inspired ensemble. My red heels clicked down the hall and into my kitchen. Surprise was evident on my face when I saw my oldest son, Brayden, sitting at the table sipping some coffee. By this time, it was 4:45 am. Usually I see him moments before he leaves for school, at about 7:45. 

         

          "Hey, B," I called out. "What are you doing up?"

          His big brown eyes met mine and with a shrug, he said, "Good morning. Ready to go on the news?"

         I laughed and smiled and said, "Yes. Yes I am." 

         From there, I rehearsed what I wanted to say about my book as Brayden patiently listened and nodded along. It felt really good to see that he was proud of me, enough so that he even got up to see me before I headed out. As I'm cheerfully talking  about my beloved book and characters, I look up and see my love, Troy, coming down the hall. His eyes are squinting and tired. Its now 5:00, so no wonder. But he is smiling my favorite smile! Giving me more confidence. More support. More encouragement. I want to make him proud. Surprise was also evident on his face when he saw that I was actually animated and smiling and laughing. And so early in the morning!

      

 I not a morning person. 

But today, I was.

   

         It was still dusk when we arrived at the station. We were fifteen minutes early. The sky was purple. The moon was waning and half full. A peacefulness settled over me. I hopped out of our truck and my heels caught a little on the pavement, but Troy caught me and I steadied myself. As I clutched my good luck heart shaped necklace, I headed into the station. I never do anything important without Troy and my good luck necklace glocket. It has pretty gem stones inside, my birthstone, Troy's, my kids, and the word BELIEVE. 

        After we found our way into where the filming was already taking place, I was surprised to see behind the scenes of a program I've watched many times from my living room. It was very different than watching it on TV, but also kind of similar. Their voices were familiar  As was their faces.  Quickly, we were welcomed and made to feel at home. The set was small and quaint, and it comforted me like a nice cup of coffee and my favorite cream cardigan. It didn't take long for me to realize that the show was like a well oiled machine and news and information was flowing from its pores. And it wouldn't be what it is without all great the people involved. The anchors. The cameramen. The audience. And well, me, at least for the day. 

        When it was my turn to sit on the stand next to the very kind, Logan Mcdougal, the channel six news co-anchor, it didn't feel scary at all. It was a great feeling. Almost as good as being in Troy's arms. But only because when I looked over, I saw him smiling at me. He believed in me. This gave me the courage and confidence to speak on air. And to believe in myself.  Eloquently I conversed about something very dear to me, my novel, This Morning I Woke Up Dead. I am humbled and proud to say, that it went very well. It was an amazing experience, and if you ever get the chance to go on TV, do it! 

Just believe you can. 

Me on KPVI news channel six NBC talking about my book