Once again I had a whirlwind weekend, but it was great to spend time with fun friends!
On Friday my husband and I went to Manti for the day to attend a friends wedding and while we were there, we found the most wonderful store! It is called manti Mercantile Village and they have anything and everything you could ever want - antiques, furniture, art work, childrens clothing, jewelry etc.... We started talking to the owner, Linda Nielsen and she jumped on the opportunity to carry my books and have a book signing sometime in October. As soon as I get the date I will post it. So the next time you are passing through Manti, stop at this awesome store. The address is: 155 S. Main St.
Friday night we got home just in time for our good friends, Todd and Sheree Robinson to arrive with their two cute girls for a weekend visit. We spent Saturday on Flaming Gorge boating with our good friends Ted and Lisa Labrum. Then we enjoyed some horse back riding, and four wheeling. After lots of food, laughing and fun times, the weekend ended with everyone worn out but happy.
Sheree shared an article with me from the latest Family Fun magazine while she was here. It had a lot of fun game ideas for kids using pennies. It had a lot of great ideas you might want to check out at http://www.familyfun.com/.
I'm sad the weekend is over because it was a lot of fun - but I am glad it's over because I am exhausted!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Koins for Kenya News
Today I received a little note from the Koins for Kenya founder, Bret Van Leeuwen. He just returned from an amazing trip in Kenya. He said he shot some great video footage of Kenyan dignitaries sitting in a row on the porch at the Koins Community Center reading my book. He said they were so thrilled with the thought of their "Koins" being part of a story, let a lone in a real book because up until about four years ago, books were rarely seen in their village. He said now that Koins has libraries in several of their schools, books are seen in the hands of the children all the time.
What an amazing thing! American children have no idea how lucky they are to have books and we have to force most of them to pick one up to read! Anyway, Bret said he shot about four hours of video footage to help me with a story KSL was thinking about doing and sadly, on a bumpy road near the village, the video camera fell out of a bag and was lost. A reward is being offered if it is found, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be found because it would be wonderful to see this happen!
Bret said he did take a few pictures of the dignitaries reading, so hopefully I can post these amazing pictures soon!
What an amazing thing! American children have no idea how lucky they are to have books and we have to force most of them to pick one up to read! Anyway, Bret said he shot about four hours of video footage to help me with a story KSL was thinking about doing and sadly, on a bumpy road near the village, the video camera fell out of a bag and was lost. A reward is being offered if it is found, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be found because it would be wonderful to see this happen!
Bret said he did take a few pictures of the dignitaries reading, so hopefully I can post these amazing pictures soon!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
First Day Of School
Is it possible to be happy and sad at the same time? Today is the first day of school and I am happy because I have the house to myself and I can do anything I want all day long. I am sad because the house is too quiet, and I miss hanging out with my boys.
I was thinking about some of the first days of school my boys have had over the past 12 years and one day stuck out in my mind. It was the year I had moved my oldest son to a different school when he was going into third grade. Of course he had the first day jitters, but they were exaggerated by the fact that he was going to be in a new school and not know anyone. I told him that it was okay to be a little nervous and that everything would be fine. He started crying and told me he wished I could be with him. My heart broke and I wanted to cry too. Instead, I thought for a minute and then found a bright shiny penny. I kissed it and gave it to my son and told him to put it into his pocket. Then I told him to rub it whenever he got scared and he would feel my love for him. This seemed to pacify him and he went off to school. A few days later, he made a new friend and when he came home from school he gave it back to me because he said he didn't need it anymore. Thank heavens for that penny, or we might not have made it through the first week of school!
I was thinking about some of the first days of school my boys have had over the past 12 years and one day stuck out in my mind. It was the year I had moved my oldest son to a different school when he was going into third grade. Of course he had the first day jitters, but they were exaggerated by the fact that he was going to be in a new school and not know anyone. I told him that it was okay to be a little nervous and that everything would be fine. He started crying and told me he wished I could be with him. My heart broke and I wanted to cry too. Instead, I thought for a minute and then found a bright shiny penny. I kissed it and gave it to my son and told him to put it into his pocket. Then I told him to rub it whenever he got scared and he would feel my love for him. This seemed to pacify him and he went off to school. A few days later, he made a new friend and when he came home from school he gave it back to me because he said he didn't need it anymore. Thank heavens for that penny, or we might not have made it through the first week of school!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Circleville Event Just Announced
I had a busy weekend which started out in Rock Springs with a book signing at Hastings book store. I had a wonderful time and met a lot of nice people. Last night I received an email from Andrew Tso who bought a signed copy from me while I was there. This is what he said about my book, "I loved it. I love how your stories send a positive message and encourages karmatic awareness." He was very kind and he excitely told me about a book he was currently working on. I love to hear about stories that other people have been inspired to write and I can't wait to read them!
I just had an event confirmed in Circleville, Utah for October 17th in conjunction with Kings English Bookstore. I will list more information about this event closer to that date. So if you are going to be in that area in October, keep checking back because I would love to see you!
I just had an event confirmed in Circleville, Utah for October 17th in conjunction with Kings English Bookstore. I will list more information about this event closer to that date. So if you are going to be in that area in October, keep checking back because I would love to see you!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Rock Springs Book Signing
For all of my Vernal friends who might be going to Rock Springs to do some last minute school shopping tomorrow, (Saturday, August 22nd) I will be at Hastings Bookstore which is located in the Plaza Mall, between 1-3 PM. Stop in and get a personally signed book or better yet, start your Christmas shopping by getting one for a friend!
The address is:
1451 Dewar Drive
Rock Springs, Wyoming
The phone number is: 307-382-6610.
I will be handing out chocolate pennies and hugs to all familiar faces!
Hope to see you there!
The address is:
1451 Dewar Drive
Rock Springs, Wyoming
The phone number is: 307-382-6610.
I will be handing out chocolate pennies and hugs to all familiar faces!
Hope to see you there!
Monday, August 17, 2009
A NEW PENNY!
After I wrote The Power Of A Penny, I always look at my pennies when I receive my change. When I was in Page, Arizona last week, I happened to get the second penny in the new Abraham Lincoln penny series. I was soooo... excited! Okay call me a little obsessed with pennies, but it is fun to see the new ones come out! Next time you get a hand full of pennies, look to see if you have any of these!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Rock Springs Book signing changed
After being gone for ten days, I am finally home!!! On Friday, I was getting ready to leave Lake Powell to head to Rock Springs for a book signing, when I got a call from my publisher asking me if I could change the date for that book signing until Saturday, August 22nd because the book store hadn't received the books yet. So, dang I got to stay at Lake Powell a few extra days! Sorry to anyone who tried to come see me in Rock Springs - ( I highly doubt I have too many friends in that direction) but if you did I am sorry - I was sitting on a houseboat in the middle of the lake with no way to post a blog with the changes! So, I will be at Hastings Books next Saturday from 1-3 PM for anyone who is interested!
One advantage to living in a small community is I made the front page of the Uintah Basin Standard Newspaper! Here is the link if you would like to read this nice article: go to www.ubstandard.com and click on the story titled, "People, pennies significant to author" by ViAnn Prestwich.
I hope everyone enjoys the last few weeks of summer!
One advantage to living in a small community is I made the front page of the Uintah Basin Standard Newspaper! Here is the link if you would like to read this nice article: go to www.ubstandard.com and click on the story titled, "People, pennies significant to author" by ViAnn Prestwich.
I hope everyone enjoys the last few weeks of summer!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Next, Hastings Book Store
The book signing at Frost's Bookstore was great! Thank you everyone who came to support me - you are the best! It was fun to see old friends and family. For everyone who wasn't able to make it, I will be at Hastings Books in Rock Springs, Wyoming next Saturday, August, 15th from 1-3 PM. Hope to see you soon!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Frost's Book Store
See you all at Frost's Book Store tomorrow - Saturday, August 8th between 1-3PM! So you have no excuse - the address is 1980 E. 2700 S.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Every Penny Counts
The Vernal Express newspaper ran a story about me today. Being a small town newspaper, it isn't available on line. But here is the "just" of it:
I was inspired to write "The Power Of A Penny" after I found an old penny next to a gas pump. Remembering my own fond memories about pennies helped me to "put pen to paper in my new novel, which celebrates the unknown worth of a penny by following it over the course of a hundred years in circulation. Each different chapter is a different story about a person who receives it and learns a valuable life lesson. In a day and age when people are counting every penny, this book reminds people that every penny can make a difference."
It was a nice little article and I appreciate the Vernal Express running it for me.
Last week I received an email asking me why the free audio download for my book isn't available through Tate Publishing yet. When I checked into it, I discovered that supposedly last February they sent me information telling me that I needed to abridge my manuscript so it will fit on one CD. Some how I missed this memo, sooooo.... I am working on reducing the story by 7,200 words to make this happen. I have discovered this is not an easy task! Hopefully I can send it off by tomorrow and they can start recording it very soon. So thank you for being patient and I promise the download will be worth the wait! Until then, you will just have to enjoy my book the old fashioned way - by reading it instead of listening to it!
I was inspired to write "The Power Of A Penny" after I found an old penny next to a gas pump. Remembering my own fond memories about pennies helped me to "put pen to paper in my new novel, which celebrates the unknown worth of a penny by following it over the course of a hundred years in circulation. Each different chapter is a different story about a person who receives it and learns a valuable life lesson. In a day and age when people are counting every penny, this book reminds people that every penny can make a difference."
It was a nice little article and I appreciate the Vernal Express running it for me.
Last week I received an email asking me why the free audio download for my book isn't available through Tate Publishing yet. When I checked into it, I discovered that supposedly last February they sent me information telling me that I needed to abridge my manuscript so it will fit on one CD. Some how I missed this memo, sooooo.... I am working on reducing the story by 7,200 words to make this happen. I have discovered this is not an easy task! Hopefully I can send it off by tomorrow and they can start recording it very soon. So thank you for being patient and I promise the download will be worth the wait! Until then, you will just have to enjoy my book the old fashioned way - by reading it instead of listening to it!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Uintah Basin Standard
One of my favorite quotes is by Pres. Thomas S. Monson. He says, "Let us relish life as we live it. Find joy in the journey." The journey I have been on this summer has been amazing! I have met so many wonderful people all because of a book about one penny.
A few days ago a reporter from the Uintah Basin Standard called to interview me about my book. We chatted for a while and she was very kind. She made a comment that put everything into perspective. She said something like, "It seems that you are just one simple person trying to make a big difference in the world. Just like one small, simple penny can make a big difference in the world." I can't wait to read the article and I will let you know when it comes out so you can link to the story.
I'm sad because the journey I have been on with my personal assistant/neice, Nikki, this summer, has ended because she is off to school in Indiana this week. She has been a great help getting my story out to the media and into bookstores and I will miss her tremendously! The thing I am the saddest about is that I won't be talking to her almost everyday. I know whenever she looks at a penny though, she will smile and think of the fun summer job she had with her favorite aunt.
I hope everyone that reads my book will stop when they see a penny laying in the gutter and think about the difference it can make in the world. When it is combined with other pennies, it can make a difference by providing clean water for a village or help a family that is struggling to pay medical bills for a sick child. One simple person can make the same difference when they combine their efforts with other simple people to make something great!
A few days ago a reporter from the Uintah Basin Standard called to interview me about my book. We chatted for a while and she was very kind. She made a comment that put everything into perspective. She said something like, "It seems that you are just one simple person trying to make a big difference in the world. Just like one small, simple penny can make a big difference in the world." I can't wait to read the article and I will let you know when it comes out so you can link to the story.
I'm sad because the journey I have been on with my personal assistant/neice, Nikki, this summer, has ended because she is off to school in Indiana this week. She has been a great help getting my story out to the media and into bookstores and I will miss her tremendously! The thing I am the saddest about is that I won't be talking to her almost everyday. I know whenever she looks at a penny though, she will smile and think of the fun summer job she had with her favorite aunt.
I hope everyone that reads my book will stop when they see a penny laying in the gutter and think about the difference it can make in the world. When it is combined with other pennies, it can make a difference by providing clean water for a village or help a family that is struggling to pay medical bills for a sick child. One simple person can make the same difference when they combine their efforts with other simple people to make something great!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
