Never Too Old...You Might Be Amazed To See What I Learned To Do In Time For My Birthday!

I woke up happy today because it's my birthday!

For the very first time in my life, I learned how to HULA HOOP! Check out this clip from last week! (I know you're jealous of my headband. Just go get a scarf and tie one on!)

Oh, just a suggestion-you don't have to watch to the end...it's a little embarrassing... just stop at the 30 second mark where I applaud... really... don't watch to the end.)

 I never could do this hula hoop thing as a kid, so thanks to my family for their adjust-your-method, Shirley feedback!

But that's not all! I am also working on typing speed with the Dvorak (say that 5 times real fast) keyboard method. (Why I would attempt to change at this stage of life? See why here: https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyBahlmannAuthor?fref=ts)

But wait...there's one MORE thing!

See what Merrill Osmond and I recorded a couple of weeks ago in Salt Lake City! http://www.radiogoldproductions.com/thegoodword/merrill-osmond-and-shirley-bahlmann-interview-episode-135/#.UabJLbU3uM4

And now on to the next adventure in my life! (I'll keep you posted.)

My Birthday Wish

Tradition dictates that people in most societies mark the anniversaries of certain cultural events with various rituals of celebration, festivities, and food.
(AHEM) Well, this week marks the celebration of my BIRTHDAY! I happen to like my birthday. No, I love my birthday! I'm very fond of the date, which happens to be Friday. I've actually been known to wear a sign that reads, "Happy Birthday to me" as I go about my magical birthday activities, such as shopping or riding my bike. (I get lots of birthday wishes whenever I do that, so it's fun! The thing is, no one's ever handed me a dollar, like they've done to my youngest son with his "I'm adorable" face. Maybe I should tape a cutout of his face to my bangs so someone might give me a dollar, too.)
It will take a few dollars to reach my goal of getting this yacht for my birthday. (If not this year, then maybe next, do ya think?) I could live on this thing, as long as it goes places!
You could come with me, or at least go for a dip in my pool and have a siesta in your own private grass hut. Which one would you like?
Now tell me... what's your birthday wish?
It's okay, you're allowed to think of one before or after your birthday. Or maybe you have the same birthday as me! Then we can wear our funny party hats on my yacht together!

Weekend Celebration!

Here is my son, Dr. Bahlmann, with his beautiful wife, Heidi, who helped him in his journey for his PhD in English!

And here are his father and me, because we're proud of his tenacity in achieving his goal.

These type of events are truly inspiring, and make me want to strive for something bigger and better.

What's YOUR next goal?

WRITE FASTER! Fr*ee for a limited time!

WOW! PhD Dene Low is offering her book for FR*EE for a few days! (CLICK HERE)

Here's what she says about it:

 It is the system I used to write 32,000 words in just 6 days a few months ago. My writing system is a compilation of my studies of writing and neuroscience over the last thirty years. It can help you be more creative, productive, effective, and efficient. It can break writers block and facilitate revision. I'm using it to teach my university class right now. I did the research and testing so you can just use it and enjoy. Right now the book is free (right here!) for Prime members to borrow and starting Thursday, it should be free for download for a few days. After that it will be $3.99.

GET IT HERE NOW!

Yummy erasers

Yes, it's true, the items pictured here are not real food. They're erasers.

And people wonder why the population's waistlines keep getting bigger.
(This post remains short...but sweet!) 

A Book Loving Fan Showed Up On My Doorstep!

Meet the amazing Jeff Rasmussen, who showed up at my front door asking to buy an out-of-print "Manti Tornado Stories" book. Luckily for both of us, I had a few on hand. Then he pulled out his electronic pad, checked his list of books to get, found more of my titles there, and bought those, too.

Now when I meet with agent Michael Bourret later today, I can tell him that fans are beating down my door to buy my books.

Well, they're beating on my door with their fists, anyway!

I'll let you know what happens with the agent meeting, but maybe it will have to be after I teach my class on ghostwriting.

BOO!

  

Love the Osmonds? Come meet Merrill!

Merrill Osmond is broadcasting from EBORN BOOKS in SALT LAKE CITY on Friday, May 17 at 9:30 AM.

AT 10:00 AM he'll be signing copies of his book, "FAITH, HOPE, and GRAVITY," which reached #2 on Amazon UK's MOVERS AND SHAKERS list last fall.

So come to 254 South Main Street in Salt Lake City, Utah at 10:00 AM on Friday to meet Merrill! You'll be glad you did! (And I'll be there, too, and happy to see you!)

There's No Such Thing as Writer's Block!

Writer's Block is a myth. Really! I'll explain it all to you here on this podcast, which is my current 12 minute claim to fame, thanks to AUTHORS THINK TANK:

CLICK TO FIND THE SECRET WHY THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS WRITER'S BLOCK!

It's worth your time! 

Grammy's Cushion at the Hut in the Foothills

When my 7-year-old grandson wanted to hike into the foothills to hang out at his hut, I wasn't going to let him have all the fun, so I tagged along. I found a nice bush casting shade on a patch of ground that was half stickers and half dirt. Carefully lowering myself onto the dirt part of the shade, I watched my grandson, his little brother, and their two friends work on their cool hut. Can you see it? It's fairly well camouflaged. Look above my thumb. Squint a little. Look for straight lines. There! You've got it.

After flirting with prickly stickers for about half an hour, I was surprised and charmed to see the boys holding an un-upholstered square of cushion out toward me. "Here, Grammy," my grandson said. "How would you like to sit on this?" I told him I would like to very much!

When we left the hut, I couldn't help but take a picture of the rough-hewn little gentlemen. (You can see the cushion beneath the feet of the boy on the far left. As many times as you tell them to keep their feet off the couch, I doubt they'll ever really listen until they have to buy a couch of their own.)

What kindness has someone done for you lately? What have you done that was nice for someone else?

Carol of the Tales and Other Nightly Noels

Christmas is never out of season!

Today is my father's birthday. Even though he's been gone for 11 years, he used to love being one of Santa's helpers, wearing a beard, red suit, and little wire glasses to bring joy to the lives of children and those who are young at heart. Happy birthday, Dad.
"Carol of the Tales" is an advent story book ready for giving BEFORE the first day of Christmas. If you get yours now, and ones for people on your list, then you can relax and sit back, because your holiday shopping will be DONE, and you know they don't have this yet, because it's brand new! (What a relief!) Get yours hot off the press right here: CAROL OF THE TALES and Other Nightly Noels
Best of all, your gift keeps on giving, because every purchase benefits those with Autism. Thank you.