Sunday's Shining Star

WELCOME!!!

I would like to explain how this came to fruition. Hubby and I were having a discussion about the old days, (for the young'ens reading this..a little history lesson) but before the dark age. When Sundays were special and had traditions and rituals. Sunday mornings Church, come home to a big gravy (sauce) cooking on the stove, a big Sunday dinner, then either off to visit relatives/friends or wait for relatives/friends to drop by. We would spend the afternoon sitting around the table, talking, catching up, having coffee, pizza, calzones, etc etc, dessert. And now, how sad, all those traditions are gone. And then I got to thinking, why not have something similar here on my blog. This past year, I have met so many amazing and wonderful people through blogging, and how I am in awe of what they do and accomplish. How much respect I have for them, for their honesty, integrity, credibility and so enjoy when a bit of their personality shines through. So every Sunday, here at my place, the coffee will be on, the dessert is on the table and friends will be stopping by. And I will be rolling out the red carpet for my Sunday Shining Star Blogger guest.

This week I thought we would start a little differently.  Everybody ready?  Are you comfy?  Do you have your cup of coffee or tea by your side as we visit?  OK...ready?  Ooops...forgot to mention...make sure your cup is in a safe place because we are going to take a little test.  OK..here we go............................

Raise your hand if you have seen this picture around bloggyland.  Just what I thought!!  Next question...Raise your hand if you have entered in one of the MANY giveaways that she hosts on her blog.  Guess I should have asked that question differently..OK...everybody put your hands down lol.  Last question..Raise your hand if you have won a book from her site that now sits on your book shelf.  Thought so!!!  I know....... there are a few in my bookcase!!  Today, I am honored to have as my guest, KAREN FROM BOOKIN' WITH BINGO


*When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging on Jan. 9, 2009, after having done book reviews for about a year for a couple of websites and also on Amazon. Since my passion is reading and writing, I decided a blog would satisfy both (even though at the time I didn't even know what a blog was!

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?

I wanted to name it something having to do with books since books would be my main theme of the blog so I liked using the little bit of alliteration of Bookin' and Bingo. I used Bingo as it has been a family nickname since I was a child, with a long story behind it but it has nothing to do with the game of Bingo.

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?

Book information, reviews, and giveaways

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?

I read all kinds of books from non-fiction to science fiction. My current, and probably favorite genre, is memoirs as I like reading about real people. Of course, a good page turning mystery is still among my favorites as well.

*How often do you post?

I post daily. I used to post sometimes more than that, like two or three times a day but have cut back to more realistic, less stressful scheduling.

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?

I love seeing what people write and making "virtual friends" and it always amazes me how some followers are so dedicated and loyal with their comments. I also enjoy creating the posts as I like to put in lots of pictures and clip art to add to the post. I know I use too much "stuff" and am too long for most people. I try to hold back because uncluttered is always said to be a better and more attractive blog but I have a hard time with it as it entertains me to do it my way!

*What are some of the negatives?

For the longest time, the most negative thing was how much of my personal time my blogging took up and that was basically hours a day. I have recently cut back and am enjoying doing fewer reviews as it gives me back my life again. I do get a bit testy with people who win something and when it doesn't come, they email me about it as if it was my fault. I have no control over things once I submit the winners' names. I do look up the info and then contact the publisher and I think most of the time, everyone gets what they wanted. The WORST is (and don't get me wrong, I still love these followers but...) followers who email me 3 or more months after they should have gotten their books wanted to know where it is. That is so hard to go way back to find out who was to have gotten the book to them and then emailing them again and asking for the book all that time later.

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?

My favorite item is putting my "Bingo Buddy" who is my "grand daughter puppy" and through her pictures and comments kind of let folks know what's going on that day with me or in the world. It also allows me to use some humor.

I also like "decorating" according to the time of year. It goes back to how I enjoyed putting up monthly bulletin boards when I was a teacher.

*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?

Be patient and start slowly. As tempting as it is, don't take on too much too soon. Also, keep good records which is easy if you label your emails according to what they are and store them in a folder. Then you can go back if you need to and find things.

*What draws you to follow someone's blog?

Lots of things....a certain giveaway that tempt me, a title that is intriguing, or a blog that is written by a friend that I like to visit as much as possible.

*Do you have any "pet peeves" that other bloggers do?

I write posts that are way too long...I know that so I am sure that is a pet peeve for people who read my blog. For me, I think a pet peeve is when I want to enter a giveaway and there are SO many different ways to enter...I mean like 10 or more ways...it overwhelms me and often I just don't enter at all. I also understand but get a little annoyed when winners aren't announced on time or emailed that they won. Blogs that tell me to check back to see if I won, I don't visit or enter as who can remember to go back?

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the "real" you!!

I am pretty much an open book but here goes:

I am married for 37 years last June and have one son who is married and just gave us our first grandchild who is my pride and joy!

I am a retired school teacher who taught for 37 years but perhaps from being around kids, still think of myself as a young person

I love college and NFL football, video games--Wii and Nintendo DS- (puzzle, mind test, etc), and traveling to see my son and his family in TX and love to go to Las Vegas with my best friend/cousin as we are gal pals who have a silly, laughing, 2 or 3 days of fun. But other than that, just love being in my home with my books and computer.

I love to give gifts and thus, many of my books on my blog are ones I have purchased and give away just to share with my readers.

I am writing two books that WILL someday get finished!

*Any other info you would like to share.

I often think about stopping my blog as it does take up time I could be reading which I would do all day and night if I could, but enjoy it too much. I also want to thank Cheryl for the honor of being named Sunday's Shining Star and just think her blog is so well done. I am proud to call her a fellow blogger but more so, a 'virtual" friend!

Ohhh..where do I begin?  First, I really enjoyed having Karen as my guest today. I learned so much more about her that I didn't know, which is what I would think would happen if all of us got together each week and just sat around gabbing.  To continue......  There were a handful of blogs that I came across when I first stumbled into this community, and her blog was one of them.  I must have been very lucky, because by the time that I finally found the courage to email them, not only did I get a response, but they mentored me and I can honestly say that to this day, I can also call them my friend, and Karen is definitely in that category.  If you could only see our emails, you would know..they are like novellas.  I remember spending hours on her blog, soaking up everything, entering all the books related to mystery, wondering where she found her graphics, laughing at the captions she puts with her puppy, wondering when she slept, ate, shopped, etc etc when she was posting 2-3 giveaways and reviews per day which meant she must have been reading 24/7.  I hope she doesn't mind me telling this story, but, I think it is a bit funny.  My first impression of her blog was that she did this professionally, by that I mean, I thought she was someone who had a big job in the "publishing" world, and had been "in business" for many, many years....what did I know...I didn't even know what a blog was at that point.  After stalking her for a few months, and a few other blogs I started seeing the "subscribe via email"...well my "you got mail" was full of news letters in a matter of weeks.  Except for the "professional one" and darn...I didn't want to miss anything that was going on there.  So I got up the courage and emailed her, asking if she would please put me on her newsletter list.  I also asked her a few other questions.  And , to my surprise, I was shocked that within a few hours a response from this important person was in my mailbox and told me that she had been thinking about it and would look into it and thanked me for emailing her.  This "professional" THANKED ME!!! wow I thought I was really special lol.  And then a couple of weeks later she emailed me again, told me the newsletter was in place, and also took the time and explained some general issues about blogging and specific issues about her blog....WOW..was I surprised when she explained to me how long she had been blogging and that she wasn't some CEO..lol. even so...Karen, in my eyes...is still a "PROFESSIONAL CEO" SHINING STAR.  And btw....she isn't being a biased grandmother....her grandson is absolutely beautiful...a very handsome little man!!!!  Thank you, Karen, for all the books that I have won from your site and for being my guest today.  Since it seems that I have great luck on your blog, would you mind buying me a lottery ticket lol?!  And for those who stopped by to meet and greet my Shining Star, she has some great giveaways going on at her at her place, so check them out.  I guarantee, there will be a book giveaway that you will want to enter.  Good Luck!!