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My First Public Appearance
Woot ~ I did it!
After two moths of planing and about $400.00 I had my first public appearance at a Spring Festival in Washington stare May 29 – May 31! The whole thing was a roller coaster ride of emotions. about a year ago I made he decision I would have a booth at the local festivals during the 2015 summer. I have a local friend Who just started her own business Selling ‘Clever Container’ products. https://www.facebook.com/JennifersCleverTreasures We decided to share a booth together. We dd our research and plans and before we knew it the summer had snuck up on us! Which split the registration and insurance fees. It was a lot more work then I expected it to be. Not only was I getting my stuff ready I was also her Business Consultant. ( My consulting page: https://www.facebook.com/A.Novel.Life )
I helped her get started setting up her page, creating her labels, Creating her Banner and more. When I was done with her stuff I realized how much I had to do still. Buying the books, a Banner Business Cards, Magnets, Demo products, Things to sell at the fest besides books to draw attention and of course we needed an Event Shelter. I bought a nice Yellow 12×12 $299.00 Colman for sale for $99.00.
When all that was settled we passed out fliers with in the county and handed out more then 50 businesses cards each. Honestly that was more then I expected to. Since I was going for it I decoded I wanted to raise awareness and collect donations for #ACHA and #MendedLittleHearts Because I am 1 out of 11o born with a heart defect.
When The day finally came to set up we were freaking out nervous! We decided to go early despite peoples suggestions which was a great thing because we got to choose our booth location at the Festival! With two separate businesses She took one side and I took the other but before we could set up our tables we needed to set up the tent. It isn’t a quick popup (which wold be a great Idea) When we first opened the tent bag We were surprised at how many poles and parts there were and we became over whelmed… Thank God my sister Amanda and her Husband were with us she is great at reading instructions. When we got it half way set up it looked like it wasn’t going to be taller then 3ft.. We started to panic… Jennifer called a local store to see if they had a 10×10 for sale…She was about to go get it with my brother-in-law when Amanda and I decided to keep setting up the tent just to be sure…. To out surprise and relief…… We gained the height we needed it was about 5’11 on the inside but it had lower sides to keep the sun out. Extremely pleased and tears and broken wallets averted we began to set up out sides of the booths. ^_^ All in all set up took about 4 hours, we were so glad we had decided to come early. We had a few issues with how to tie the banners and arrange the tables, once that was settled it all fell into place.
It was a high heat weekend and our helpers canceled due to the heat and illness so It was just her with her kids and I there for the three days. We decided to leave the big stuff but to take our important stuff home at night because of the stories we heard about thievery. And we used used every mussel we had doing so every morning and night. It took us about an hour set up and tear down time and by the last night we felt like pro’s. We made sure to come early and to stay late so we got great parking spots for he loading and unloading. But all in all despite the heat and sore mussels it was I think a great success. Jennifer who had a lot of great products was able to get the word out for future home parties. Due to the extreme heat There were not many people at the event as they had hoped for.. All the booths said they suffered costs due to the lack of people.
I truly am glad I did this I leaned a lot and I feel like I took the next step getting the word out about my books. I sold more then I thought and I met some really interesting people. I do have some tips tho if you are planning on doing your own event:
*One -Make sure you limit how much you will bring – less really is more. If you have to many things people won’t know what to look at first and your tables could look over crowded. Pulse your mussels will thank you later. One of the Booths near us was complaining about how little he sold and he kept trying to pawn off stuff to us.
*Two – Have a idea what you want your booth to look like so when set up time comes you aren’t panicking. Three make sure you come early no matter what they say. First come first serve is most event’s motto. We had quite a few people people upset because they came late and didn’t get to put their tents where they wanted. People were walking though the event before moat booths were set up we made most our sales in the mornings and evenings.
*Three – Know the location where you will be, and prep what you may need such as: Bandaids, water, food, food money, sun block, tape scissors, a coat if indoors, etc.
*Four and most important You have to talk to the people walking by, some will just pretend they don’t see you but others would have passed by if i had not said Hi. Don’t be a robot be yourself smile and be friendly. I don’t want to push my book on anyone It is quite personal but when I got over being shy (which is not the usually me) and I actually started talking to people I started getting more people. Be careful not to miss people who want to buy something tho because you talking to other people make sure you say Hi to everyone.
*Five Be – friend your tent neighbors. We were so lucky to be nest to some really nice guys, one a tent from Dish Network, and there was a Guy from Final Fight Radio. Which was nice because us bring to ladies in a crowed there were times when we needed them. Like when the drunk homeless guy wouldn’t leave. Or our last night when we had only half the help we had when we set up. We all helped each other out. The last thing you want at the event is enemies.
*Six- Don’t forget tables and Chairs… We shared the extra chairs we had with a neighbor booth.
*Seven- DO NOT Bring anything you cannot do alone. If its just you keep it super simple for set up and tear down. There were only about three tents with ony one person. But like I said you befriend others they will help you out most likely.
Don’t give up on your dreams no matter how long it takes you! You are awesome! That’s all I have to say other then I wish you could have been there if you weren’t and to those of you who were and who bought something – Thank you so much for coming it was great seeing you!
Please don’t forget to like my Author page on face book. I will be giving away a free book or prize if you already have the book to someone out of my first 200 likes. https://www.facebook.com/AmyJaneSandberg.Novelist
The first day right after set up.
Book Preview. https://books.google.com/books
The Cheapest place to buy my book: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/AmyJane27
My Amazon Page: amazon.com/author/amyjanesandberg
My B&N Page: http://tinyurl.com/AmyJaneSandberg
My GoodReads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/…/8449633.Amy_Jane_Sandberg
ღ╮❤╭ღ╯ Amy Jane ╰ღ╮❤╭ღ╯
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My foot is still broken
Dear Dreaders, Guess what… 😛 Yep……. My foot is still broken.
Amy’s boot
Dr said that it could take a year for it to heal. He said my break is a difficult one. It is across the middle of my foot. The bones he said are like this. (–) He said stay in the boot. He saw a girl yesterday. Who after 7 months is finally seeing her bones connect. I broke mine 4 months ago. The dr said surgery wouldn’t make much a difference because my bone may never heal so putting a screw in especially at this point won’t make big difference. In fact he said honestly it could prove to cause more issues if my foot doesn’t heal. I am on vitamin D and trying to stay off it as much as I can, however I am a pretty busy person and I don’t sit still well… I go back to see him in 6 weeks. I don’t sit still well but I am working on it. Do me a favor, don’t ever break your foot. It is really painful and it limits you so much more then I ever thought I would. I truly feel blessed that I still have my foot, and that things could be so much worse then they are… I have a big God who can do big things. I know this from personal experience. He has a plan! And I am trusting Him. I am Healed and I am just waiting for the manifestation of it! Till then I have lots to do and I will finally be forced to sit and work on my books with few excuses!
╰ღ╮
╭ღ╯ Amy Jane ╰ღ╮╭ღ╯
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GoodBye: Aunt Christine
Christmas eve dinner we got a call that my aunt had passed away. She was so talented as an actress and voice actress. She was real, down to earth, goofy, yet mature beyond her years. She really grasped life. She touched so many people. She had a light inside her that has gone out. It is greatly missed. She inspired so many, including me… I don’t think I would have followed my dreams of writing if not for her pushing me. She was born my dad’s youngest half sister. We grew up with visits and packages from her. I miss her dearly she was my first and best pen-pal; When she retired it was a sad day for everyone. Something she had to do. To stay under the radar she then after went by went by her maiden name Sandberg. My dad, Stanley Roy Sandberg was one of her half sibling. Their dad and my grandpa was Waldo Sandberg. My dad told us that he helped raise her. He was very close to her and has taken it very hard… Especially, after loosing his Oldest son Shane Sandberg to cancer in 2013 and now loosing his youngest sister this year around my brother’s birthday Just was a stab in the heart… Which made Christmas all that much harder…. I really feel for him… He has had a hard life but my dad is an Amazing man!
We kept in touch with aunt Christine our whole lives. We visited with her. But kept her secret. She for reasons that I never knew but totally understand she wanted to keep to just her family. I would love to tell you so much more about her, but she enjoyed her privacy and out of respect I will keep the info to my family. It is truly sad she had no idea how much she touched peoples’ lives. To often amazing people can’t see how amazing they are. She was a real treasure. I was really close to her. I am so blessed, just like anyone else who knew her was. She was one of my best friends. I am so sad thinking about how much I will miss her letters and sweet notes. I’m so glad. I can say she was a part of my life, not because she was famous but because she was Amazing. She was always leaning, she loved: animals, children, nature, the wind, history, culture, reading, and writing. A huge inspiration♥ I didn’t matter to me if she was famous or not… She was my Amazing Aunt! And I have the letters to prove it.
In the past year she talked about how much she missed my Grandpa Waldo. He passed away years ago. I find my closure in thinking thinking about how happy she must be to be with Grandpa Waldo, and the joy she must be having in Heaven.
It is so strange reading all this stuff on the media…. It is a really odd feeling… Thinking That is my aunt they are talking about… I am so glad she was loved by so many tho!
Here are the Few articles I liked and think they got the Info most Correct (They are not all the same):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXbocAF-bTI
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004815/
http://www.denofgeek.us/tv/christine-cavanaugh/242381/voice-actor-christine-cavanaugh-dies
http://www.sltrib.com/home/2006851-155/christine-cavanaugh-utah-native-and-voice
http://www.examiner.com/article/voiceover-actress-christine-cavanaugh-dies-at-51
http://www.voiceovertimes.com/2014/12/31/vo-actor-christine-cavanaugh-passes-away-at-51/
~♥♥♥You will not be forgotten Aunt Christine!♥♥♥~
~~~~♥Amy Jane Sandberg
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Progress….
Hello Dear Readers.
I am sorry I have been very bad only posting on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Author.AmyJaneSandberg , But I am rectifying that this week, by back dating and adding older posts here with more details then I have on Face book. So When I post this they will be already added. ^_^
For the past few weeks I have been working on my books.
I was shocked when someone bought 6 books at once. When I asked her why; She told me she wanted to share them. She sent me this picture today after she received them. She is awesome! I edied the picture to protect her privacy. I’m still speechless.
My phone is giving me lots of issues. It keeps saying that I need an update but when I accept it does nothing. It keeps going silent and out of range a lot more than ever! I am not receiving 3/4 of my calls. Sigh. With that and my net issues I wonder if there’s a good reason or it is playing with me. I really miss talking to you regularly. People are extremely important to me. And I make time for you when I can. Friendship is a 2 way street. I am sorry I can’t be around like I want to. Life has added more to keep me busy as well. Please do- Text me, skype me, or fb message me; and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible whenever you want me. There’s a guy who at Best buy who may be able to fix it I just have to make time to go.
♥ Love ya,
Amy Jane Sandberg
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FIRE!!!
EEKkk!!!
There was a massive fire only a street away from our house! It was super scary!!! It was started by a bad power-line. The flames ran up the side of the mountain and on to the bluff we live… It was defiantly life changing… Fear is powerful, it is brain numbing too at times… I rarely have faced a situation where I lost the power to think. I was mentally and physically frozen for a few minuets. So I prayed… Because that is what I do when I know not what to do, I ask God. And then I made mental notes of where the animals were, where what I needed to save was… I was faced with the reality. It is really interesting what really goes though your mind when faced with the question- There is a fire, what is the one thing you save? If the fire reached us, I would loose so many items, some collectors, none of them as important as the my family and pets… The first thing I thought of, was I have no pet carrier for the cats, what will I do with them? Let them outside to fend for themselves if it comes to it, animals are smart and they have instincts would they make it? No… I’ll try and wrap them in a towel put them in the car hope I don’t drop them on the way down… If I must I will… I told myself Then I quickly found my dog leash, and got her downstairs. (I live on a second story with stairs on the outside.) I kept a close eye on the fire. I have to say the Firemen were fast, brave and awesome! The news said we had only seven fire trucks, but I counted about thirty-three of all types.. There was even helicopters working hard to put the fire out!
I was about to pack up and get us all of us out of the house but then I looked over to the empty field next door and saw about ten deer peacefully eating grass and sleeping. After that I felt peace and I knew we would be safe. Just then the wind shifted and instead of blowing north it stated to blow west… Which was good! Soon after that They had the fire out near the homes, but the fire moved fast west… The poor firemen worked well into the night and into the next morning to get the massive fire out.
We were so blessed not to have any homes or people hurt in our small town. The firemen did an awesome job! God is so good! Sometimes still when I see smoke I quickly go over the emergency list I have prepared in my mind, what I need to do etc as i it were a natural reaction… Fear is a funny thing and very powerful… This whole thing was super scary but a great lesson of faith and a real test. One which I am glad we didn’t have to take!
♥Love ya, Amy Jane Sandberg
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Hurry Read Quick!!!
Hello! ^_^ (Happy smile)
How are you my dear readers? Just jump right in…. So I told you last time I wrote that I was working on preparing “God Supplies and Miracles Still Happen” for Global Publishing… Well I finally did it!!! I prepared two paper backs books 38 pages each, and one e-book.. I did away with the coil bound version.. I know a lot pf people liked it. However the pages got caught and tore to easy… Out of the two types I had before it was the worst quality… But for peopel who like larger font, This i created an 8.×5 I ordered that and the much improved 6×9. I had before… They looked awesome! Other then some formatting errors and small typos… All in which I fixed and have now updated… They rocked! I was super pleased with both! I am so so picky….. But – This will be the final updates…
~~~~And look ~~~~
Here is the e-mail they sent me about the books… Now- all I have to do is click yes, and then It is a matter of weeks, till I find out they say yes.. (I am standing in Faith they will) I followed all the rules and requirements. I am quite sacred actually…. When this goes through anyone who wants, will have a little insight into my personal life and walk of faith.. It makes me more scared and excited to finish the main book which I have been working on again. The e-book could be approved any day now, tho I think the print books look way better.. I am excited!
Also There happens to be a book sale!!!
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/AmyJane27
20% Sale Code: HAMMOCK14
I think that is God… If you want to get a copy go for it… and God bless you today and Always!!
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Celebrate life to the fullest!!!
Happy Birthday to me!! Yes this sound a little vain, but let me explain… Today as you guessed it is my birthday! I am… If you know me I have always valued Birthdays to the max. I make big deals about everyone’s birthdays. Because Life is a blessing!! My mom’s birthday is April 6th. So I’m 33, Where has the time gone?? So mych has changed in just the past 4 years…
A Bit of History: The past few years I haven’t really celebrated my birthday. If you didn’t know my whole immediate family used to work at the “Kennedy Space Center” in Florida. Since NASA shut down the Shuttle Launches, my family’s life has been quite crazy. Everyone lost their jobs… My family started relocating spreading out moving way one by one. Everything was different. We were extremely close family. I mean every one has their issues but, its great when you have such a great family close by. So it was a huge finical and emotional strain. That was about 4 years ago.
In Jan 2011 I packed 5 suitcases and moved across country because God told me to. It wasn’t easy leaving all I knew and making that jump of faith. I took turns living with my mom and sister Amanda, living mainly out of 1 suitcase… It was quite the adventure really… Mainly because their landlords wanted to raise the rent if I would be permanently living with them. So I rode the train back and forth.. Not knowing when I’d feel relaxed and at home… But after about year I got my first rental house, which I loved! In a very small town, within a canyon. Birthdays’s were hard to get together for and often spent alone. Last year I moved again, which I was a bit angry about at first bit its been great since.
Last years Birthday was the worst I will ever remember! Because we got word my brother was very ill with cancer, so we all got together and went to go see him. (It was a blessing we were all together but, we completely ignored our birthdays.) It was very touching, very draining and over all very hard……
So when this year came along I was mad at the loss of loosing my brother, I was mad we’re all apart yet again, due to life. I only reached one goal, publishing my short story “God Supplies and Miracles Happen”. Honestly, I was depressed and angry… But I choose to buck up and clean my apt… I have come to the conclusion that cleaning brings you closer to God. You work out your stress and vent your emotions… Now I understand the saying “Cleanliness is close to godliness”.
This morning when I woke up, I was refreshed and reminded why Birthdays are so important. They are to celebrate life, life God gave us! No matter where we are, or who we are with, we need to take joy and be happy we can live another day, we have another day to work on our goals, etc.. So I am happy its my Birthday!! The day I was born into this world. Even with all the hardships I’ve endured, (not as much as some) I am happy to be alive.. Another day full of experiences…
If you are a gamer… The higher level you are the more experience you have, the better your gear and skills are… If we look at our ages as game level…. It makes aging so much better… So where ever you are, whomever your with, be happy about your age, and celebrate life to the fullest!!!
Now please excuse me while I go get ready to go run some errands and go to an early dinner with my Mom, and this weekend my sister Amanda and her Husband will come visit. And my mother and I will officially celebrate our birthdays together with all four of us… She’s the bigger person sharing her special day with me.. I am very blessed…
Ps. By the end of the year we will all be in one state again!! Even tho we may be a few hours apart its much better then across country!
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God Supplies and Miracles Happen – Short story published.
“God Supplies and Miracles Happen”
Once completely Brain Dead; Two comas; Three open heart surgeries; Third person in the world to have her heart completely rebuilt; Three strokes; plus so much more. Yet Alive Strong, and still living life Abundantly! She’s one of a Kind, and lives to serve God, standing on His word – the Bible. Her favorite verse being: “The Devil comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; but I, come to bring life and to bring it Abundantly.” ~John 10:10
Here is the Staple Bound book 6 X 9 Inches & 28 pages. Set Full Color. (Price is just set by Lulu.com) I’m not charging extra fee for myself… The book is Print By Oder, great quality! http://www.lulu.com/shop/amy-jane-sandberg/god-supplies-and-miracles-happen/paperback/product-21370339.html
Here is the Coil Bound book 8’5 X 11 Inches. Full Color. 18 Pages because its so large. (Price is just set by Lulu.com) I’m not charging extra fee for myself… The book is Print By Oder, great quality!
Below are 2 images of the stap bound book. Front and back.
God bless you today and always!
♥Amy Jane Sandberg♥
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“The White Daisies”
“The White Daisies”
A fictional short story
By: Amy Jane Sandberg
It was long week the week her dad died. She felt like a zombie. The day after the funeral she found a bunch of fresh cut white daisies on her door step. As a child she had loved the flower and it brought back many pleasant memories from her past. It lifted her mood, though she had no idea who had left these flowers there. Over the next few months she would find a fresh bunch once a week.
After a year the pain was not as deep, nor gone. However she was now engaged to a man who was new to the town and it felt like life was getting better for her. He was a simple man, smart, not very rich, and very kind.
On their wedding day he wore a single daisy on his tux. She was appalled that the wedding planner had let him do so. She tried to force him to wear a white rose from her bouquet, but he refused. She gave in since it was seemed to be a trivial battle and she loved him too much to start their marriage off with a fight.
They had a good marriage, yet every birthday, Christmas, and major holiday the only flowers he would buy her were plain white daisies. No matter how much she complained or bagged it made no difference. Didn’t he care what she though, wasn’t she worth more than that?! When they were newly married she thought I was cute, and that was all he could afford. But now she knew he could do much better than those darned daisies! It was beginning to drive a wedge between them in her heart, and she resented, even hated those flowers. She began to not care when she received them anymore. She told him to stop wasting his time if he wasn’t going to send her what she wanted then he should not waste his money. They no longer brought her joy but frustrations’ and anger.
After it seemed countless years of marriage and their children were gown with children of their own her beloved husband grew very ill. The doctors warned her he would most likely not make it through the night. She loved him so but the only thing she could think about was those darned daisies. She wanted to ask him why he tormented her so with them, was it his way of keeping some control in the relationship, did he do it to make her mad on purpose? She needed to know once and for all why? She got up the courage to ask him just before the nurse would come to send her home for the night.
His answer was this. “I remember the first time I saw you at your father’s funeral. I happened to be there visiting my grandfather’s grave, you looked so sad and yet you kept up a strong front for your mother and others that were there. I fell in love with you that day. I didn’t know what to do or how to approach you so I did some research and found some white daisies to leave on your door step. I chose that flower because it reminded me of you. I liked what the flower meant. ‘Pure, along with a true love’ depending where you looked. Yet I also liked that it reminded me of you. It is a small, simple, strong, beautiful, and yet joyful. I wanted them to encourage you, and prayed they would bring you joy. And it seemed to work. I kept it up even after I got the courage to ask you to dinner for the first time. I thought about what you said when you complained about them, and almost did as you asked. However I couldn’t It was as if was cheating on you when looked at other flowers. I hoped and prayed you would ask me why them, but you didn’t. You just complained. I almost stopped giving them to you, however I knew if you ever did ask me why and I told you; you may have questioned or even doubted my love for it. I have never stopped loving you! You are my Gift from God, my white Daisy!”
Utterly moved she was left speechless… She had been so vain, selfish, and petty about the whole matter. Sahe was overwhelmed with remorse towards all her previous thoughts about the white daisies. And how had she forgotten about how they had once made the world of a difference in her life? Ashamed she fell to her knees and prayed. “Dear God please forgive me I sure made a mess of things, and I took my beloved husband and best friend for granted. Please give me a second chance to love on my Husband, and to truly appreciate him, help me make things right! Please heal Him Completely!”
The next day she got a call from the hospital. Fearing the worst had happened, she slowly answered the phone. “Hello… I know it is still very early in the morning but I‘d like to tell you the good news as soon as possible. Your husband took a sudden turn around and his body is accepting the medicine now, we are not sure why. But there has been a great change in his vitals and he will be able to check out within the next forty –eight hours!!” In shock and overwhelming joy she again fell to her knees and Praised God! Never again did she question or doubt her husband’s small gestures but delighted in his presence because he was her Gift from God!
~The End
This came to me in a dream around 3am this morning. This was a personal test for me. I wanted to see if I could write a quick full story, and it turned out better than I had hoped. Along with a great message that has come to mind.
How often do we take life’s gifts, God’s Gifts, any gift for granted? Instead of appreciating what we are given, or have we may complain, or think be mad it isn’t what we wanted, or that it is not enough. Instead we need to just say Thank you! I’m not just talking about material gifts. I am talking about all gifts, including people. How many people do we take for granted?
I have trouble accepting gifts at times. I sometimes even hurt the people I love. I am far from perfect. But God loves us so much, enough to have sent the Ultimate Gift Jesus Christ. John 3:16 Who died on the Cross so that we could have a another chance to get it right, to be forgiven for the things we should not do, but do every so often, like maybe tell a small lie, loose our temper unjustly, say things we shouldn’t…. We are Human. God knew what we needed; there was a lot of thought put into this gift and limitless love. We just need to decide if we want to take it.
God shows His love for us not only with Jesus, but in many things. Great parking on a rainy day, a cool breeze on a hot day, a much needed hug from a friend, a burst of energy when we feel like we can’t go on any ore, or peace in a stressful situation! As my pastor says “Is your Receiver broken?” I know mine was fixed recently… My Giver is working well too. If receiving feels great you should try giving. It feels even better. And you don’t have to give something material, but maybe some of your time? Who knows, it may just change a person’s life.
~Thanks for Reading and God Bless you!
~*Amy Jane
Amy Jane's World 