Kindness Exposed

Random Acts of Kindness

I never wanted anyone to know about this - but, here it goes. While I was working at an elementary school, I anonymously sent flowers to the departments that I was working in for teacher appreciation week. I remember doing a devotion once that was basically about random acts of kindness and how we shouldn't seek the glory of the act. I never wanted recognition for what I did. I wanted the hard working, awesome people that I worked with to know just how appreciative parent's (should) be. It amazes me how more parents (that are able to do so - monetarily) do not do more for their children's teachers and educational staff. I am not saying all parent's lack the kind spirit, but it has been my experience that the majority of parents (at least in my field) do not take the time to show their appreciation. It is a very difficult position - and I stand firm to my belief that the educational (special education) field is only for hero's! People that dedicate their lives to help other's and mold future generations. So please, even though it may not be 'teacher appreciation' time of year, make sure you thank someone in the educational field - they definitely deserve to be praised.

Donna Huber Cover Reveal!

From the publicist who introduced the world to Fifty Shades of Grey

Plan a Successful Blog Tour While Keeping Your Sanity

Donna Huber is exclusively revealing her secrets to successful blog tours in an easy to follow manual. She shares tips and tricks learned through organizing over 30 tours, blasts, and promotional events for nearly 50 independently and traditionally published titles.

Secrets revealed in this quick read include:


Different types of tours
Planning stage decisions
Recruiting bloggers and keeping requests organized
Best practice communication tips 
Tricks to making a great guest appearance
How to organize a fun (and legal) giveaway
Actions to take during the tour
Next steps once the tour is complete
Virtual tour and other promotional opportunities
When to hire a professional


Donna does not stop there! She spills even more of her blog tour secrets to help authors get the most out of their events by providing:

Tour checklist
Tour invite tips
Step-by-step guide to creating tour graphics
10 broad guest post topics
25 sample interview questions


“I highly recommend this book for authors about to release their first – or their fiftieth! – book”
~Alison Deluca, author of the Crown Phoenix series

Bio:

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the blogger behind Girl Who Reads where, in addition to book reviews and author appearances, she writes the popular blogging advice series, Tips on Thursday. She has worked as a freelance publicist since 2010 assisting publishers and authors with their marketing and publicity needs. Most notably, she was the publicist for The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House edition of Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker by E. L. James. 

When she is not doling out blogging advice or promoting the next bestseller, she can be found spending time with family (particularly the four legged, furry members), rewatching Downton Abbey and Harry Potter, or trying to make a dent in her never ending to-be-read pile.

Social Media Links:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/girl_who_reads
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Girl-Who-Reads/273856382671730
Blog - http://www.girl-who-reads.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17980343-secrets-to-a-successful-blog-tour

I am highly anticipating this read. I think it can help any self-published authors in maximizing their independent advertising potential. Can't wait! ~ K.E.Nowinsky

Our Favorite Movie Hop

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

I remember watching this movie as a kid and falling in love with the characters, the scenery, and the music. Each time I would watch the movie, the more I was investing in the characters, and soon would be included within my realm deemed 'favorite' movies. I started out by renting, then was given the VHS as a gift, and now the DVD. I believe that past few holiday's channels such as TCM have shown the movie, I know a few years ago when it had been on, my son really responded well to the music (he is handicapped but loves to listen to music). 

The movie starts by following the eldest of seven brothers, Adam (Howard Keel), in his hunt for a wife. His rough demeanor is evident from living in the mountains only with the company of his younger brothers. Soon, while hunting through the town for prospects, he comes across friendly and feisty Milly (Jane Powell). Unbeknownst to her, she is being led blindly out to pasture. Her agreement to marry him - on the spot - was the prospect of having just one man to love and care for. 

When Milly arrives to her new home, she is greeted by challenge after challenge. First, meeting her new brother-in-law's, all six of them. Surveying the scene, you get a quick understanding of seven bachelors with no domestic discipline.  Milly accepts the challenge and rolls up her sleeves to dive into her new circumstances.

Adam, indifferently, goes about his routines. Only when Milly confronts him about his rues does he submit to his wrong doings and they reconcile. Milly starts to sand the rough edges with her new brothers, while Adam's testosterone filled misogynistic influence soon creates chaos for the Pontipee household as well for the families affected within the town. How does it all turn out? Watch it and let me know what you think.

Until next time or the next... dream ~ K.E.Nowinsky

Mainstream Bullying

Something has been brought to my attention that is highly offensive and alarming. Not only is it rude and disrespectful, it is promoting negative behavior in our youth. I refuse to pay the prices of the over rated Abercrombie & Fitch, now I will be purposefully shopping anywhere else but Abercrombie & Fitch because of the ignorance and hate generated from their CEO's comments. Sounds like he has more money then sense. If this is his marketing strategy - someone needs to go back to school himself! What comes around, goes around. He is spewing his negative comments toward a stereo type, but it could also bite him in him ugly butt one day too! I guess he's never heard of the saying - you shouldn't throw stones in a glass house.

This is where we all can agree, if you are sitting in a circle with a group full of people and someone places a W on the floor, some will see the W and some will see something different - such as an M. Here the CEO depicts "fat chicks" as a stereo type that will never be associated with the cool kids. Really? His insecurity is unhealthy, and he is feeding this filth to younger generations, that do wear their clothing. He is stated as saying that he only wants the thin, cool kids to wear his clothing. Is this really what we want to teach our children? This unhealthy behavior can also be defined as bullying, something people have been working diligently on within the school systems to prevent. This form of inappropriate behavior needs to be properly managed. Something this CEO is lacking - class! Bullying has to stop! What better way then to show your kids integrity - tell them that Abercrombie & Fitch are bullies because of their disrespectful statements, and refuse to buy their merchandise. My perspective is, I wouldn't want to wear the 'label' because I would not want to be associated with such filth. Does this mean that I am not 'cool' - then so be it! Damn straight ~ because I am hot!
To read the full article: Elite Daily: Abercrombie and Fat Chicks
Until next time or the next... dream ~ K.E.Nowinsky

Nurse Appreciation Week

Nurses have a huge impact in my life. My sister is an RN, I have many friends that are nurses and my son requires nursing care. I am thankful for nurses and it has been my experience that many times when the doctor is absent, a nurse is there to help. If you know a nurse, make sure you show your appreciation this week, their jobs aren't easy. It takes a very special individual to be in the medical field as a nurse.
My sister fought and worked hard through the time she spent in her RN program. It was a day to celebrate when she graduated, we are so proud of her. Since then she has worked at many prestigious affiliations and has saved countless lives. She's saved my life repeatedly, especially when I was in the hospital myself.
My son is severely handicapped and requires 24/7 care. His nurses that we currently have are wonderful. His day nurse that goes to school with him is a valuable part of his team and I know the progress he's made this year is in part due to her. Night nurses have not been an easy position to fill (especially in my home, I expect nothing but the best for my son's care). His current night nurse that we have has been with us for a couple years now and I know I can go to bed and rest easy (which is not easy to do, especially in the beginning and with new nurses).
So, if you know a nurse - send them a text, e-mail, or message and just tell them that they are appreciated! Until next time or the next... dream ~ K.E.Nowinsky

Bicentennial Fire on the Potomac

1813 Bicentennial Commemoration

Havre de Grace, MD

If you live on the eastern shore, you should definitely take a road trip to Havre de Grace, Maryland. There are museums and a very nice and scenic promenade. Walking along the promenade there are places where you can stop and read about the history of the area as well as different economical factoids. It is a classic American town that celebrated their bicentennial commemoration with pride. It is a great reminder of the fighting American Spirit.

Another great landmark of Havre de Grace is the lighthouse. For this special occasion the lighthouse is opened and you could go in, usually it is not open for the public's enjoyment. It was great because there were people dressed in period costumes walking around. I was like a child when I saw a decorated soldier (of the time) riding around on a horse. It might not seem like something to get excited about, but for me it was great to see and to be reminded of how, when we stand together, the people of the country can fight for our beliefs and freedoms.

Since we live fairly close to Havre de Grace, we were able to drive there in a reasonable time. There were shuttle buses available to control parking and vehicular crowd control. There were routes to and from the different museums in the area that could house more parking. Police blocked off certain roads and you could walk around, there were games, plenty of shopping opportunities, and great food. I had my first snow ball of the season (black cherry and blue raspberry - yum). Events seemed to be spaced out. First, we went to see the ships that were docked. The Pride of Baltimore II, there was another ship as well, but I do not know the name of the ship since we did not go to the area it was docked in. From there we walked down to the Promenade by the Lighthouse. There was a huge stage and an orchestra was playing, it was very enjoyable. Tomorrow is the last day - so, if you live in the area you should go and celebrate this bicentennial historical event.

Until next time or the next... dream ~ K.E.Nowinsky

IWSG Finding Motivation

5/1/13
If you had the chance to rewind your life to where you made a certain decision, would you change anything? For myself, hearing that the story was good but my grammar skills and the cover of my first book needed help. This was great constructive criticism, but this situation is like a mother bear protecting her cubs. And this is one of my thought processes: You could hear a thousand compliments, but it is the one negative comment that can upset you. So far I have had positive views from individuals that have read or is currently reading. When I don't hear feedback, I get depressed, it's hard to muster up the motivation to continue editing the next three books, and my confidence goes out the window. Today, I have managed to start tweaking the second book For All in the Hope, and if you haven't read the first one Going off Dreams. Worries kept me up last night. you might want to call or text your friends to let them know you will be without a phone for a could of days. Praise God, everyone has made it across the finish line.
Do you have any advice with my struggle to find motivation to write?
Until next time or the next... dream (K.E.Nowinsky)