Category: Getting to Know You

I Appreciate You!!!

Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash

Since today is ‘Get to Know Your Customers Day’, I wanted to say hello!

I hope you are able to take a look at my books and can see a little of yourself in the story or in one of the characters. I know I do!

I think the best books are based on real-life emotions and I try to add that to each character’s thoughts and actions.

Tonight is also pet therapy night with Guinness the Therapy Dog! We’ll be playing with a group of kids as a part of Gabriel’s Angels, which is an organization that links up therapy teams with at-risk kids.

We get so much out of these visits!

I hope you have a chance to meet-and-greet with your favorite people today! Sonja

Today’s Challenge

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

I don’t know about you, but I find it challenging to decide which story in my head is worthy of being put down on paper.

I have so many stories swirling around up there. I explore them when I’m walking, hiking, taking some quiet time, driving, or falling asleep.

I have a lot of stories to tell about Guinness. He’s a never-ending source of adventures! Just a walk around the block can lead to an interesting experience.

Just today, we were taking a walk and he was trying to be a good boy. Another dog walked by with his own human. Before we went to school, Guinness would have barked and lunged. Today, he merely kept a close watch on the dog and tried to talk to him. I think that will probably make it into one of his adventures that I write about. He loves to talk to everyone he meets. In the morning, he sounds like Chewbacca from Star Wars (R)!

I’ll try to catch his talking and post it on his Instagram page (@real_guinness_the_therapy_dog). Follow him and get daily updates on his shenanigans!

Have a happy weekend. Sonja

Did you get everything you wished for this holiday season?

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

It has been three days since Christmas, we’re still celebrating Hanukkah, and gift day for Kwanzaa is still four days away.

That’s a lot.

I hope you found everything you wished for under the Christmas tree and that you will find what you hope for as a Hanukkah gift or on January 1.

Today is also National Call A Friend Day and Card Playing Day.

What a great reminder to call those who are right next door or too far away. You could invite your neighbors over to play a nice game of whist or Hearts!

Poker?

Or you can play solitaire.

Let me ask you, what is the best part of the holidays?

Enjoy your day! Sonja

#Humbug Day

Not only is it Humbug Day, but also Look On The Bright Side Day. They seem diametrically opposed. But if you are familiar with Charles Dickens’ ‘A Chrismas Carol’, you know that Ebenezer Scrooge began as a humbug type of person and by the end embraced the Christmas spirit.

I hope that wasn’t a spoiler!

I recommend reading the book. If you can’t manage that, then watch one of the many movies. I love the older black-and-white version, someone else I know likes the Muppets’ Christmas Carol movie, while others like the Bill Murray-helmed ‘Scrooged’.

Every one of these stories tells a story of redemption. It’s never too late to make a change in your life. It doesn’t matter your age or your history. Embrace the good and reject the pressure and the bad of this season, no matter which holiday you celebrate.

It’s a time of remembrance and hope. Don’t get so caught up in your ‘to-do list’ that you forget the importance of slowing down and enjoying some time with your thoughts and family.

Slow down! Sonja

Audiobooks v. eBooks v. Paper books

How do you like to read a book? I use all three of the above formats. When I drive around in my car, I’m usually listening to an audiobook. But I have to be careful about which book I choose. If I get bored, I tend to tune out the audio. If it’s a complex story, it’s best if I read it as an eBook or a hard copy. I tend to lose track of plots and characters if I listen to a complex book.

I keep my e-reader in my purse. That way, if I get caught in a long line during an errand, I can pull out my book and read until I get to the front of the line. It’s a much better use of my time than standing around and watching those around me getting frustrated by the wait, although that can be fun, too. I read hard copies at home unless I can get it as an e-book.

Before I bought an e-reader, I was a confirmed hard copy book lover. I like the weight of a book in my hands and the act of turning the page. However, I am a convert to the e-book! It’s light and handy to have hundreds of books on my tiny reader. I download books from the library, which is a nice feature!

Tell me how you read your books! Sonja

My Favorite Things

  • (c) 2019
  • (c) 2019
  • (c) 2019
  • (c) 2019

Above and below are some of my favorite things. I see a theme–nature. I love to be outside. Water is important. So are trees and flowers. A good hike is the best! And a good hike with Guinness the Therapy Dog is even better!

  • (c) 2019
  • (c) 2019

He loves to be outside–and he loves water. When he hikes, he wears a backpack. When he finds water, he lays down in it and doesn’t bother about taking off his backpack first.

What are some of your favorite things?

Have a great week! Sonja

Only a Few More Days Until the Weekend!

What are your plans for the weekend? It’s time to start planning! It is outdoors or indoors? Close to home or far away? Alone or with family and friends?

The weekend is a time to recharge from the busy work/school week so you can tackle the upcoming days with energy and optimism. Those are the best ways to move through a day. Approach it with energy and it will give it back to you in fun and excitement. Approach it with optimism and you will find good opportunities and people everywhere.

Are you in a bad mood and can’t get away from it? Smile. That’s all. Just force yourself to smile. The very act of engaging the smile muscles lifts your spirits and your mood will elevate.

It’s medically proven!

Try it the next time you’re in a bad mood–or feel a little blue. I think you’ll be amazed.

Smile! Sonja