Book Review: Hi-Cat

Book Review

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a book review. More than a few years. I agreed to read two books pre-publication and review them. Life happens, and you forget things until they pop back up in the form of a calendar notification or an email. I realized I would be getting both books about the same time. I knew I would be excited about reading one of the author’s book. I’ve read, blogged, tweeted, and given out his books on a regular basis. I didn’t really know what to expect with the other author. So I made a deal with myself: read them in the order you receive them. Problem solved.

 

I got the other one first, by less than a day.

A deal is a deal. Now I have both books. One I know is going to be what I want; what I need to hear. That’s always been my experience reading works by this author. As the universe would have it, I got the other one first. I didn’t know what it was about, what kind of “messages” would be inside, or have any expectations. It’s written by a local pastor.

 

Why did I agree to do this anyway?

I didn’t – I asked to read it. Why? The name, well the subtitle really. Hi-Cat: What Can’t Happen At Camp David Just Did. And the cover: there are two men on the cover, one a Marine and one in the Navy. I have a military and presidential family history. I have heard story after story from my grandfather about President Eisenhower and family. He was their personal photographer. I know the old cliche, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” I did. I saw the cover on Facebook and just knew I had to read it.

 

So what did I think?

I told you, I started it with the feeling of… drudgery? I wanted to read the other one first. Right off the bat, in the section “ONE WORD OF STRONG CAUTION” in the first line I actually breathed a sigh as he says “Most of my previous books have been devotional or self-help in nature. This is neither.” Wait, why a sigh? I’m a Christian, and I don’t mind a good devotional or self-help book? I guess I just wasn’t feeling like being preached at. If I am being honest, I think that’s the truth behind my dread. So first sentence – we’re good. In that section he also explains that this book isn’t unicorns and roses. My words, not his. It’s a graphic book. There’s murder, suicide, talk of rape, and some other messiness that is life. He offers that if this offends or upsets you to stop reading. Nice. I’ve more than once been knee-deep in a book or show and had some really unexpected “plot twist” made me more than uncomfortable.

 

“A Personal Note”

As you begin the book, it actually starts off with “A Personal Note.” He explains what this book is and is not. He doesn’t try to hide or surprise you with his message. He tells you straight up front. Then he does this: “But before you check out, I’m throwing down the gauntlet:

Try me. Let me take you on this one-of-a-kind ride. Atheist, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, skeptic – whatever. Even if you dislike my Best Friend, it doesn’t matter. I’ll make it worth your while.”

 

I was torn between “this guys got a big ego” and “hell yeah! Preach it brother!”

 

Prologue

The book starts off with an equally disturbing and beautiful prologue. It’s set in Indiana in the spring. The way Stephen describes the scenes it’s like I’m right there, like in my front yard. “The intoxicating perfume of a nearby planting of pink peonies wafts in…” Then in my backyard “…he stumbles as the footing changes from Bluegrass to a thick, springy Zoysia.” The prologue ends, and you are left feeling like “uhh wow, next chapter please.”

 

The rest of the book

I really liked how it was laid out. (I know this is pre-publication, so it might change some.) The super short sections made this an overall great read for people who “don’t have time to read.” It gives you quick little sections that make it easy to read in between life. Except there is one problem – you just don’t want to put it down.

 

The book dives into what seems to be a completely different book than the prologue. I read the first few sections, then flipped back to the prologue to try to make it fit. I finally let it go because I was so wrapped up in the humor, dialogue, and predicaments of the new characters.  I found it interesting how much I was drawn into each one; they could easily be a main character in their own book, right down to the waiter, Zee.

 

Overall

Stephen was right: he definitely made the read worth while. I giggled when I read Zee talking about another book “killed me to put it down, but I had to catch some shuteye so I could show up for work this mornin’,” because that was exactly how I felt. After the first few pages, I quickly forgot that deal I’d made with myself. I wanted to read this book, and I’m sure you will too!

 

*I didn’t get paid to write this blog. I was given a copy of the book. After publication I will update this blog with a link to buy the book. You can thank me for it after you read it.

 

5 Lessons from Reese’s Christmas Tree

Jenna WinslowToday I have a guest post from Jenna Winslow.

Jenna Winslow is a recent graduate from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.  Jenna interned at Signarama Evansville during her senior year and is currently the Digital Marketing Intern at Ten Adams Marketing.

5 Lessons from Reese’s Christmas Tree

Social media is not only a fun place to interact with friends, family, and businesses; but is also quickly becoming one of the leading marketing platforms. Social media offers the ability to reach consumers and to connect with them unlike ever before.  And in our rapidly evolving technological world, social media can either make or break a company.

Unhappy customers often go straight to social media to complain about a product or recent negative experience with a company.  And if they are able to express their rage in less than 140 characters, they typically tag the company’s social media account directly in the post.  All eyes then turn to see how, or if, the company responds.

There have been various cringe-worthy social media fails over the years: companies responding inappropriately to complaints – or just flat out ignoring them.  There are plenty of lessons that can be learned from these mistakes; however, just as many, if not more lessons, can be learned from social media wins – when a company nails their response to public customer complaints, settling the issue.

Reese’s had a social media win of their own after releasing their annual Reese’s Christmas Tree last November.  Social media savvy customers headed to Twitter to express their thoughts regarding Reese’s Christmas Trees – or more like the lack of resemblance to a tree.

image 1

Despite being put in a difficult situation for the entire world of social media to see, Reese’s was not fazed by the complaints and used them as an opportunity.  Their response is what I would call the biggest social media win of 2015.

Reese’s created a Twitter campaign exclusively focused on the ugly, misshapen trees, making it official with the hashtag #AllTreesAreBeautiful.

image 2

image 3

 

Reese’s did not simply apologize to their customers, although they did apologize. Reese’s took their response one step further by admitting the Christmas Trees are not perfect, and fully embracing that fact.  “It’s not what it looks like, it’s what it tastes like.”

Here are 5 lessons we can take away from Reese’s Christmas Tree win:

  1. Your customers are on social media, and you should be, too; build connections and reach customers you otherwise may not have been able to.
  2. Monitor what people are saying; turn complaints or bad reviews into an opportunity to gain feedback and learn from your customers.
  3. Never ignore a complaint on social media; not only does this reflect poorly on you, it could also be a missed opportunity.
  4. Engage with your customers on social media; whether a comment or post is about a great experience or a complaint, it requires a prompt response.
  5. Use social media to improve customer service; this can be as simple as responding to a complaint, and shows customers you value them.

Connecting with customers is easy thanks to social media, creating the opportunity to provide exceptional customer service.  Your next response to customer feedback on social media doesn’t have to become an entire Twitter campaign – but it could!

A Few Thoughts on HelloFlo Ad

**Author anonymous- Marketing /  PR professional, and friend. Unable for work reasons to be able to claim this. I’m not going to steal credit, but give this person’s thoughts a stage on which to be heard. **

 First impression:

My whole family saw this ad Thursday and DIED laughing! So funny and over the top. My teenage girls left the room with a smile on their face, and really happy we are not weirdos like the mom in the ad.

Wait a Minute….

As I thought about it later, I took a step back and looked at the ad from a different perspective. I shared many of the same feelings of this blogger. That poor kid. She is just trying to fit in and her mom made her a laughing stock of the entire neighborhood. Being a teenager is hard enough without your parents making it worse. “ugh, my parents. They just don’t understand what it’s like.” Well, that mom doesn’t for sure.

That Wasn’t Very Nice….

Instead of talking to her she took the vindictive approach. Something very private and embarrassing was displayed for everyone in that girl’s circle and she will NEVER live it down. And the real “ladies days” hasn’t even happened yet. A simple conversation would have strengthened the relationship between mother and daughter. This could have been a defining moment when the mother proved that she DOES understand what the daughter is going through, and that there will be more things that she has to deal with in high school. Mom is there for you to guide you through it and give you a solid foundation. But no, mom blew it. The blogger nailed it.

Oh but Wait….

THEN I took another step back. Whoa, this is an ad.

It’s fiction.

IT DIDN’T HAPPEN.

It is supposed to you get your attention. Mission accomplished.

It’s gone viral and the brand name, HelloFlo, is still in the center of it. How many company names get lost when their videos get that many clicks? Plenty. Hey have you seen that new ad from HelloFlo? Yep.

No High horse…

I’m not going to get offended and ride a high horse for some fictional teenager.
Everything in the video was done for laughs. The mom’s reaction to the teens
lying is over the top, the decorations are over the top, the dad jumping out of
the cake in a red unitard is over the top. Marshmallows– over the top. The
whole thing is over the top. That’s why it’s funny; and memorable.

It may even help start some real… healthy… conversations about that first
period. Wasn’t that the point?

Fix that Annoying Facebook Multiple Person Messaging Notification

We’ve all been a victim to it. Someone is having a party, needs addresses, wants you to vote for something…and they do it by sending out a Facebook message to you and 25 or more of their friends.

The Problem?

The endless notifications when each of them replies and comments with “reply all.”

So let’s fix it.

At the top of the message there is an “actions” dropdown. If you click it you get a list like this.

 

Simply click “Mute Conversation.” Now you will get no more notifications, but can step back into it and read what’s been going on at your connivance.

 

 

If you decide later that you want back in on it and want to be notified, just simply click “unmute”

#WritingFor30

What else frustrates you? I have to write on something every day for the next 30 days. I might as well answer some questions.  Follow along with the other #WritingFor30 bloggers with that hashtag.

A Sweet Note

Everyone thinks it’s so cool that I get to test devices. The uncool part is giving them back. It’s also hard to have your hands on the newest, latest phones, and then go back to the phone you’re locked into until your contract is up.

So what’s this latest tease that I’ve been temped with? The Samsung Galaxy Note II.  I have to admit, I was really starting to look again for a new phone to replace my daily carry. I glanced at this phone, but really had my heart set on another Samsung phone – The S4. The problem is that it’s not out yet, and my phone was dying a slow death.  I spoke to my friends at Wireless Zone, and they offered me an S3 got get me by until the S4 comes out. When I went to the store to pick up my phone, owner Chris Jourdan was there.  Chris, who converted me to #TeamAndroid years ago, always carried 2 phones – an Android and an iphone.  You can do that when you’re in the business.  I was very surprised to find that Mr. 2 phones himself was now completely team Android where his phone was concerned.  What was this amazing phone that converted him? The Samsung Galaxy Note II – I just had to try it myself.

It’s so big: 

Here the Samsung Galaxy Note II dwarfs the iphone.

Thanks to the great people at Verizon, I was sent one of these to test drive. First thoughts out of the box, and first thing out of everyone’s mouth when they see it. “Wow that is a huge phone!”  With its 5.5 inch screen, it’s huge. It’s clear, crisp screen makes photo and video viewing easy, and it makes reading e-mails and books really handy.  It’s not so handy to get in your pockets, however.

The body:

The body of this phone is slick. I’m not sure if it’s just the sleekness, but maybe the shape of this phone made it very prone to falling off the desk or counter. I caught it most of the time, the rest of the time it was on carpet, but I very often thought that if this phone is a keeper, it’s gotta go in an Otterbox for sure. (Thinking back, Chris didn’t have his in a case and I really wondered how he coped with this problem. Then I remembered he has the Phone Surgeons at his disposal. He can just replace the screen if it breaks.) So, if you get one, be sure to case it up.

Functionality:

This phone comes with and “Easy Mode” but for the average standard smart phone user, its normal operations were very functional. I learned it as I went along, and very rarely did I find the need to look at the user’s guide. (This is in the form of an app that was very easy to navigate and understand.) As I only had it for a few weeks, I was still finding new things that made me seriously consider this as my next phone.  With so many neat features to discover and utilize, I could see myself being very comfortable and happy with this as my next phone.

Bringing Sexy Back:

Oh, I mean stylus back.  Yeah, I wasn’t so quick with the stylus. I wasn’t sure about how I would like it. I found it difficult to get out of its sleek holster. As a woman with nails, I would have thought it easier. But if it was easier, maybe it would be falling out? I found that over time, I got use to it. By default (which is customizable) if the pen is out, and you go to a place that requires text input, it defaults to the write to text mode. (this is also customizable.) This is where you hand write the letters and it converts them to text. As my continued reliance on digital input has grown, so has my penmanship suffered. This made it difficult for me to use this feature. It is a great idea for those who are more accustomed to putting pen to paper, and a way to get them to transition to digital. I have many clients that would benefit from this feature to get them out of their paper notes habit.  It’s not just a stylus, it has sensors and integrates with many applications using hovering and the ‘S Pen Button’ (reminds me of a mouse button.)

 

S Notes:

This is where the Samsung Galaxy Note II and its stylus shine. For the traditional note taker, this is a dream. It has standard text features, but the write to text feature is really nice for note taking in meetings. I especially liked the shape match feature. This allows you to roughly draw a shape, like a circle. It then converts it to a nice neat shape.  The S note program was full of amazing features that offer beautiful or just downright fun notes.

 

Dual Screen Operation:

This is one of my favorite things about this phone! You can “work and play at the same time, or just work faster.” This is the feature that really has me wanting this phone and I suspect one of the key features that moved Chris from two phones to one. (Now that I no longer have a phone with this feature, I have really noticed how often I think, “Oh, wish I had that other phone!”)
Camera:

Just wow. The clarity and image quality are stunning. And the camera is packed full of features. This video does a great job of explaining the additional features. Even if you choose not to get his phone and you’re taking a group photo, let the person with the Note II take the photos.

 

http://youtu.be/77M5GhUdzyQ

 

This phone is so jam packed with features, I felt like I barely got to know it.  If you are considering a new phone, don’t let the complexity and amount of features scare you. Samsung has a very easy manual that comes as an app, you can access right from your device. It also has some great videos to follow along and really see what they mean when they’re explaining things.

http://youtu.be/77M5GhUdzyQ

 

Bottom line – I would be totally happy to have this as my daily phone.

(And I’m not easy to please.)

 

 

 

 

 

Okay it has been 14 days. How am I doing on my journey?

Well, I feel incredible. I have more energy, more brainpower, and I’m sleeping better. (This is a big deal, because I have never been a good sleeper. Ever. )

Have I been perfect?

No. But I tried, and that’s the important part.   In some areas, I exceeded my expectations for my 10 things to do list. In the exercise area,  I have been exercising three-to four times per week. I’ve taken  bike rides alone and with my family, I’ve been working out at the Y, and I’ve been doing yoga.

In the spiritual area, I spent an amazing two days, learning and growing as a leader, surrounded by friends. It was simply amazing.

I have never been so fired up & focused on organizing. I did however, manage to take on the task of sorting through my other child’s clothes.

So what’s next?

I’m determined to keep trying diligently to hold to my original list of 10, creating for myself more healthy habits, and adding this new list:

1. Continue my task of building endurance on my bicycle, by riding three or four times per week.

2. Add a few core strengthening exercises on my TheraBall.

3. Find a way to pay forward, gifts of grace and mercy that have been bestowed upon me in the past.

4. Find time to read outside for at least an hour per day

5. Go out of my way to call, write, or connect in some way to an estranged family member. (Or two.)

6. Fill a box with things that will bless someone else, and give it to them.

7. Find and cook one new healthy recipe. (This is sparked by my new and bad obsession. I learned how to make homemade caramel from chef & caterer Cindy Vescovi! – It was so good, but didn’t fit well into my being good plan!)

8.  Make an effort to find a way to simplify my life in at least two ways. (Again, suggestions welcomed.)

9. Go on a date with my husband.

10. Play a board game with my kids.

This is my list, I welcome you to use it or make your own. But follow with me on this journey, to make our lives better, physically, mentally and spiritually. I am really excited about upcoming posts from my team, with advice in every area of this journey. Be watching.

Let’s Do This Together

Recently, I’ve seen a surge in people wanting to get healthy. More of my friends are checking into the gym and posting pictures of their calories burned on those personal readers. Usually we see this spike in fitness consciousness around New Year’s. I am not sure what has sparked it in others but, I know what has sparked it in me.

I have 52 days to make a difference in my overall health. WHY?  I need to be stronger — physically and mentally because having a medical procedure and wanting to be in the best shape possible. I got to thinking about it and came to realize that health is not just about my body. So I made a list of the areas of health I wanted to improve: Physical strength, nutritional health, mental health, household and office organization, spiritual health. None of these is an easy area to conquer.

Many of us have had an “I’m done living like this moment.” Maybe it was losing your keys or an important paper again. Maybe it was being out of breath before you hit the end of the block when you kids wanted to take a bike ride with you. Maybe it was not having anything to wear because every pair of pants you own gives you a muffin top.  Like you, I have felt this way. I know the proper behaviors to take to be good, but somehow just can’t get it done.

At a retreat with Kimberly Delcoco, life and business coach, we set goals for ourselves and made dream boards or notebooks to help us visualize what those goals looked like at the end. But dreaming and visualizing are not enough, she said. We can’t go it alone. Think of your dream team. Who or what type of person do you need to make this happen? Personal trainer, nutritionist, organizational specialist, doctor, lawyer, priest… Who you need on your team depends on both your goals and personality.

So I have asked some key people to help me with this 52-day journey to an all-around healthier me.  Bonnie Schnautz, CNHP, Kimberly Delcoco, Talina Norris-RyderBrenda Hughes, and Stacey Shanks, E-RYT, RCYT, just to name a few. But not just to help me. I asked them to help US to do this TOGETHER!

So join me over the next 52 days. Start small. Here is my start small goal list for the next 2 days:

1. Dink 1 more glass of water than I did yesterday.

2. Drink 1 less sweet drink (soda, lemonade, or tea).

3.  Take 1 extra flight of stairs or park at the end of a parking lot and walk the extra distance.

4. Eat 2-3 more raw fruits or veggies over the day, than I did yesterday.

5. Remember to take my medications and vitamins.

6. Call, text, or post to a friend that I haven’t spoken to in at least 6 months and just say hi.

7. Give myself a beauty treat: facial mask, foot soak, deep sea scrub, cooling cucumber eye rest, be creative but be healthy and healing to my skin.

8. Pick up, sort and organize 1 drawer, cabinet or small space. Donate unused items and throw away clutter.

9. Start on 1 book for fun and 1 to learn something new.

10. Write. Write from my heart, to myself, to the air, to the universe.

Please let me know if you want to join us on this mission to strengthen our bodies and souls. Let me know if you have a skill and want to be a guest blogger to help me and others on the journey. Post both below! Remember don’t overwhelm yourself. Be realistic and know you are not alone in this.

 


Let's Do This Together

Recently, I’ve seen a surge in people wanting to get healthy. More of my friends are checking into the gym and posting pictures of their calories burned on those personal readers. Usually we see this spike in fitness consciousness around New Year’s. I am not sure what has sparked it in others but, I know what has sparked it in me.

I have 52 days to make a difference in my overall health. WHY?  I need to be stronger — physically and mentally because having a medical procedure and wanting to be in the best shape possible. I got to thinking about it and came to realize that health is not just about my body. So I made a list of the areas of health I wanted to improve: Physical strength, nutritional health, mental health, household and office organization, spiritual health. None of these is an easy area to conquer.

Many of us have had an “I’m done living like this moment.” Maybe it was losing your keys or an important paper again. Maybe it was being out of breath before you hit the end of the block when you kids wanted to take a bike ride with you. Maybe it was not having anything to wear because every pair of pants you own gives you a muffin top.  Like you, I have felt this way. I know the proper behaviors to take to be good, but somehow just can’t get it done.

At a retreat with Kimberly Delcoco, life and business coach, we set goals for ourselves and made dream boards or notebooks to help us visualize what those goals looked like at the end. But dreaming and visualizing are not enough, she said. We can’t go it alone. Think of your dream team. Who or what type of person do you need to make this happen? Personal trainer, nutritionist, organizational specialist, doctor, lawyer, priest… Who you need on your team depends on both your goals and personality.

So I have asked some key people to help me with this 52-day journey to an all-around healthier me.  Bonnie Schnautz, CNHP, Kimberly Delcoco, Talina Norris-RyderBrenda Hughes, and Stacey Shanks, E-RYT, RCYT, just to name a few. But not just to help me. I asked them to help US to do this TOGETHER!

So join me over the next 52 days. Start small. Here is my start small goal list for the next 2 days:

1. Dink 1 more glass of water than I did yesterday.

2. Drink 1 less sweet drink (soda, lemonade, or tea).

3.  Take 1 extra flight of stairs or park at the end of a parking lot and walk the extra distance.

4. Eat 2-3 more raw fruits or veggies over the day, than I did yesterday.

5. Remember to take my medications and vitamins.

6. Call, text, or post to a friend that I haven’t spoken to in at least 6 months and just say hi.

7. Give myself a beauty treat: facial mask, foot soak, deep sea scrub, cooling cucumber eye rest, be creative but be healthy and healing to my skin.

8. Pick up, sort and organize 1 drawer, cabinet or small space. Donate unused items and throw away clutter.

9. Start on 1 book for fun and 1 to learn something new.

10. Write. Write from my heart, to myself, to the air, to the universe.

Please let me know if you want to join us on this mission to strengthen our bodies and souls. Let me know if you have a skill and want to be a guest blogger to help me and others on the journey. Post both below! Remember don’t overwhelm yourself. Be realistic and know you are not alone in this.

 


People Skills

Today’s blog is a guest post from my son who turns eight today. He had a writing prompt in school asking him to write about a valuable lesson he has learned.

I was reading it again, and while, yes it is the miss spelled, run on sentence, hard to read scribbles of child, it is a valuable lesson for us all:

BE NICE

Take a moment read his philosophy and find a way to apply it today.

 

Learning to get along was a valuable lesson because later in life you might need people skills. Like if you’re having a fight and it gets intense, some people skills  are be nice to others, obey your parents, respect your elders, and those are only a small amount. So, BE NICE!

 

 

Go on…. Go be nice and use good people skills!