I wanted to take a moment to thank my advertising affiliates and site guests who let go of cynicism long enough to at least check them out. I like to think of my affiliates as resources, not pushy, obnoxious sales. I don't send emails. No pop-ups. None of that. I do my best to follow the Golden Rule with advertising: Don't do to people that which annoys you when it's done unto you. On the other hand, I enjoy sharing good news. I have many affiliates I still need to get links up for that I haven't done yet because I've had my head and heart in this screenplay. They will go up as soon as I finish this script, as I have many good resources for products to bring to you. Occasionally one comes along, though, that I just can't quit talking about.
EditorsCloset.com is one of those. I've never been a salesperson, even when I was a Girl Scout), I don't have to sell EditorsCloset.com. Take time to check out their sales every other day or so. A minute will do. They're saving me and people I know so much money on clothes, jewelry, watches, purses, shoes. Even during this time when we're watching carefully where our money goes, EditorsCloset is especially the place to shop. If I could, I'd bring you into my closet and show you the jeans, the dress Chloe pants, the shoes, the luggage coming this week, the purses I have, the makeup, the shirts. I look for deals, but now I don't have to look so hard. I just have to act fast and get to the sales at EditorsCloset before that pair of shoes or those pants or jeans or that dress in my size is sold out. It's crucial to get to the sales we're interested in before the sale ends and that window of opportunity closes. Best deal I ever got in terms of savings? An almost three thousand dollar watch for three hundred dollars AND NO THESE ARE NOT KNOCKOFFS. They are the real deal at prices we can afford. It's more accurate to say we can't afford to not shop there. I become so engrossed with their sales that often I forget to post about the deal.
My new commitment is I'll try to give you a twinkle about sales I think you'll appreciate. EditorsCloset.com makes it possible for us to keep our closet up to date no matter what the economy does. Come to this homespun web site that I built myself, go to the Virtual Mall, look on the list of advertisers, locate EditorsCloset.com and click on the link. Shopping is as easy as that and yes, they have a return policy. I won't get into the details here, but read it and see for yourself.
I've also made a new commitment to myself. And that is that I will only do business with people I like. Welcome Aboard to the old and the new affiliates. Site guests, give yourself a chance to patronize their virtual stores. See not only what great deals you can find but what nice people they are to do business with.
Yours in retail therapy,
Melody Beattie
PS - or click on www.EditorsCloset.com from here and take a look.
NEW EXCITING PRODUCTS
TIME FOR NEW PRODUCTS
Are you trying to lose weight -- from ten to fifty or even one hundred pounds? We have new advertising affiliates with home meal delivery for dieting. They offer a variety of meal plans (fresh food, not freeze-dried). I'll personally try every meal delivery diet plan for a period of time and blog about it. See the Virtual Mall for more information or go to the links below:
We're also carrying weight loss equipment for your home. I don't know where these extra pounds came from, but it's time for them to go. Join me if you want. Let's find something that works together.
Activeforever.com -- stay active even if you have problems with mobility
Dazadi.com -- home workout equipment at prices you can afford
Click here to see the Spring Super Sale deals at Dazadi.com.
Check out our Exercise and Fitness Equipment Sale at Dazadi.com
Free Shipping on all products, everyday at Dazadi.com
Have you heard about the E-Cigarettes -- no second-hand or first-hand smoke? No tar. If you want to quit smoking or smoke less, it's worth looking at these options. Go to the links below or see more ads in our Virtual Mall.
THE PUBLIC SECTION OF THE GRIEF SITE -- THE GRIEF CLUB -- IS NOW OPEN
Today, April 7, 2010, the Public Section of the grief site at www.MelodyBeattie.net opened. It's not complete, and the Members Only section hasn't opened yet. But there's still plenty to do and we'll be adding to the site daily until both the Public Section and the Members Only section reflects the vision I've had for this site. It will also continue to evolve as I learn more about what you want and need. A big "Thank You" to my friend Chip for all his hard work and commitment to this site. We're getting closer every day.
There will be no fees or dues to become a member; that will just allow you more access to a wide range of resources. There are no hidden fees, tricks, or gimmicks. Members will need to provide me with their email address and an emergency contact number due to the nature of this site; make an agreement not to harm themselves or others; and respect others (including no solicitations) on this site. Occasionally I'll charge a modest fee ($5.00 or $10.00 for a workshop or lecture), but many will be free. You can read more about the site at the site. It's not only for people dealing with death -- this site covers all kinds of loss, from having a child use drugs, to ending a relationship, to losing a job, and death -- the kind of loss that causes deep, overwhelming grief. It's also for people who love or care about someone going through grief and want to learn more about how to help a friend. I'll keep you up to speed, so stay tuned. MB
JAMES PERSE
JAMES PERSE -- PERFECT CLOTHING FOR A WRITER.
I can wear his line at home and be comfortable enough to write, or throw on a blzer and go to a meeting. The sales lately have been too good for me to pass by. Check out the online store if you don't live in the Los Angeles area. But do yourself a favor. Get a couple pieces from his line. All you'll have to do is feel the fabric from then on to know if it's a James Perse piece or not. I love his stuff! (If you don't believe me, check with Sharon or my accountant. I've been ordering like crazy to take advantage of the recent sales. No, I don't get to order from the site and get a discount -- I pay the same prices you do. If I could give each of you a gift, it would be something from James Perse. Once you go Perse, it's hard to go back to anything else.
Yes, believe what you see. If you have bad credit, you can link to a car lot that will attempt to help you get financing and get you into a car. At first glance, you might wonder what I'm doing. But I remember clearly what it's like to not have enough money, or to have an ex ruin my credit. In life, without transportation you can't go very far. Taking the bus isn't always an option. I'm making this available to those of you having troubles. Serious thought went into advertising cars. I believe it's an important offer. Please write and let me know how you feel about it if you chose to do business there.
I don't have ads plastered all over my site; no pop-ups and no emails about products exist now -- and they won't in the future. You'll have to deliberately seek out the ads either in the Virtual Mall or Today's Specials. If there's a story that goes with an ad -- a genuine article of importance -- you may find an occasional ad in the Blog "Living In the Mystery" when that gets going.
The reason I'm putting up ads is that there are many times when being able to buy a certain item is a service.
I did some background checking on the cars and loans at our new advertisingn affiliate. They're looking good. Yes, interest will be higher if you have bad credit or have just declared bankruptcy. But you can get it lowered. While nobody wants to pay high interest for a used car, many of us have gotten ourselves in desperate situations. Here's an opportunity to not be as desperate while you're rebuilding your credit. Check it out. Let me know how this goes. I'm told the decision about credit will be made in two or three minutes and the used cars can come with warranties. Use caution. Use your head. But if you need some wheels to rebuild your life, here's an opportunity. While some may see this as not of this site's calling, I see it as a service to people going through tough times. Many of us have been there. Learn the financial lessons and drive into a new way of dealing with your money. Also check out the grief site as soon as it opens. Financial problems are a loss and we'll address them -- and the emotional impact plus practical ways of rebuilding our credit history.
A to Z - New Section
We added a new section called A to Z. It will contain stories on various topics. It's not exactly a blog, but it's close. Once a topic is open, you're invited to submit a story for posting. The first topic is "Deliberate Acts of Kindness." Check it out and see what you think.
Welcome More Aboard
This is an exciting time. Even though I'm working around the clock on my books, I've got some of my favorite businesses (either that -- or ones that I know my readers will enjoy) coming aboard as Advertising Affiliates. I'd like to introduce you now to www.Overstock.com -- the online store where I bought the chandelier, desk, and table I'm working on right now (and the chandelier I hung in my bedroom at my desert get-away house). Some people are timid about buying online; I was at first. Overstock.com makes it easy. If you don't like it, return it. The prices are great; selections change all the time. People who walk in here think I paid a thousand dollars or more for the chandelier hanging in the living room. The cost? $59.99. It had to be assembled and that took about two hours to hang the carefully wrapped crystals on the frame. So site guests, meet www.Overstock.com. I've personally purchased over 20 items from them. Some didn't work -- decorating is an art where you don't know until you try an item and see if it fits or not. I had no problem at all doing that with Overstock.com. Check it out for yourself.
Now, I'm now a sewer anymore. I used to be. I sewed clothes for myself (not all the time). My daughter learned to sew. But my sister-in-law Pam? she quilts, she sews, she loves fabric stores. It was with her in mind that I applied to Fabric.com. See Coupons below and if sewing and crafts is your thing (I'd rather jump out of an airplane in my spare time but to each his or her own), mosey around Fabric.com and see what they've got in store for you! Give these merchants a warm welcome by at least taking the time to check them out. But remember ....if you're broke, forget about the ads. Pay your bills. You can buy things when you have the money. I don't want anyone getting into trouble with overspending on this site. My aim is to make available the merchants that will offer you services and products I believe you need and want the most -- based on my history, and many times my history of doing business with these excellent merchants.
Okay, okay. I've been procrastinating. (Building a site was about 500 times more work than I anticipated. I have done this with only Sharon's help and a minimum of tech support and IT has done me in--almost.) But this is my commitment: The Grief Site, http://www.melodybeattie.net, will be up and running as soon as possible. You'll be able to blog there. I'll meet with you in the chats once a week. The site doesn't apply only to losing someone to death, although that will be part of it. It will include "mini" loss groups that focus on all different kinds of change and loss--and we'll also focus on the positive. (No, not 'eveything works out for good, yadayadayada.) After we release our grief, it's time to take a deep breath and find passion for life again, to get back in the game, and to know that we can (with our Higher Power's help) start winning again. But--we've been winning all along. I know it doesn't feel like it, but we've been shaped, molded, and we've grown a "new us" partly for survivial, and partly because there is a plan. See you at The Grief Club. (I will have a few stores there, but only those that will be helpful to those in loss. Also, tell me the kinds of things you'd like to be able to purchase through this site. All these sites are about more than selling, but sales and links are resources. Tell me what you need, and I'll look for it.) MB
WHAT'S NEW, HOT, OR HELPFUL TODAY?
SEE THE NEW QUESTION IN FAQS -- WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT MINIMIZING THE GUILT WE FEEL? -- GREAT QUESTION. IF GUILT IS A PROBLEM, VISIT OUR FAQS PAGE. YOU MAY HAVE MISSED YESTERDAY'S SALES, BUT JUST A REMINDER: BARNES & NOBLE IS NOW OPEN; SALLY BEAUTY SUPPLY IS OPEN. WE MAY NOT HAVE OPENED EVERYTHING AT ONCE, BUT WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS DAILY. WE'RE EVEN LEARNING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WHEN TECH SUPPORT SCRATCHES THEIR HEADS AND STARTS SENDING US IN A CIRCLE. THAT BRINGS US TO THE THOUGHT FOR NOW. DON'T JUST INTELLECTUALIZE IT; INTERNALIZE IT --
PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION
STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE
DO THE WORK FOR THE SAKE OF WORK, AND IN A SPIRIT OF SERVICE AND JOY
VISIT THE SALLY BEAUTY SUPPLY STORE IN THE MALL BY CLICKING THE LINK IN THIS SENTENCE, OR GO DIRECTLY TO HER ONLINE STORE BY CLICKING THE IMAGE ABOVE. WHY SPEND MORE WHEN YOU CAN SPEND LESS?
COUNTERS
As of January 3, 2010, I switched counters on this page. It will keep track of visitors and return visits to this page. It does so by assigning visitors a number -- not by collecting any personal or private data on you (see Privacy Policies for complete information on that).
None of us LIKE commercials. But we do like and enjoy buying "stuff." That includes things we want, things we need, and services. Advertising is the only way this site makes money, as I sell nothing directly from this site. I charge for nothing. It is with the greatest care I've selected my Advertising Affiliates and I encourage you to immediately contact me should you ever encounter a problem with an advertiser on this site. I want you to be treated with honesty, dignity, and respect. Most important is that you get your money's worth. Plus I want to bring you good deals -- the best I can find, the best out there. That means quality products at the lowest possible prices.
If you want me to put time and energy into this web site, please consider purchasing from my affiliates. If I can earn a portion of my income from this site, I can put more time here. I can work on the grief site (long awaited), the blogs, and other areas of direct service to you. But if this is all volunteer work, then I'm no different than you. The bulk of my time and energy needs to go into earning a living and a portion of my time is volunteer work. I have bills to pay each month, just like you.
So check out my advertising affiliates. You'll find them in the Virtual Mall, in the bookstores, and a few scattered about. I don't have all them up yet (and that's my shortcoming as I've been busy taking care of my mother and then catching up on my book contracts). If there are products you're looking for but don't or can't find here, contact us and let us know. I'll go on a search and find them for you. If I have businesses listed but haven't linked to them yet, write to me and tell me to get busy and get those links up. Finally, if you do business with an advertiser and are displeased, let me know. I'll investigate. I want you to be satisfied with anything and everything you purchase, and I want you to enjoy quality customer service.
I've made a commitment not to send you advertising emails, not to bug you with annoying pop-ups, and certainly not to ever give away or sell information about you to make money. You are safe here. But if there's some way I can supply the "stuff" you need and want, then I can spend more time working on this site. It can be part of my job. You'll be happy, I'll be happy, and the advertisers will be pleased too. But only buy that which you need and can afford. I don't want anyone going into debt, living above his or her means, or throwing money away. Use common sense. Let me know what you want and need. I'll do my best to bring it to you.
