Friday, November 1, 2013

My First Review!!! Oh, and Pictures of Graceland

Whoo! What a week. I can't believe I actually blogged every day. I guess it's easy when you have lots of stuff to share.
 
I got a nice surprise the other day. I was on Goodreads, noticed two more people added my book (I love it when the number goes UP), went to check out who (yep, I can do that!) and discovered my very first review! Whoo hoo! She gave me 4 stars, too. Wow! I don’t even KNOW this person. I guess I really AM published now. Feels kind of good. J

I realized as I was downloading the pictures from my camera that I hadn’t shared my experience at Graceland. Well, here are some pictures from that impromptu trip.


Because this is what Graceland is all about, right?

Proof I was there!

Graceland, which wasn't named by Elvis, but by the previous
owners after their Aunt Grace! He liked the name so much
he kept it.

Living room - love that stained glass!

We weren't allowed upstairs, out of respect for the family.

Dining room - duh!

The kitchen looks so normal, doesn't it? At least, normal
to the 1970s.

Room in the basement. The colors kind of jarred me!

Another room in the basement. I thought it was really
cool how all the walls & ceiling are covered in fabric.

Here's a picture of me taking a picture of...me! Oh, and
also of the room leading to the racquetball court.

This USED to be the racquetball court.

They still have horses on the estate.
 
We are now on board the Lisa Marie.

Yes, Elvis slept here!

Final resting place of Elvis, his parents, and grandmother.

It was an interesting tour, not really worth the $37 (nor the $10 to park!). I guess if you're a real fan, you don't mind the costs so much. Still, there was one part where they were showing clips of his films, making me itching to watch one now (not that I've ever watched one from beginning to end before).

Wrapping up Lyrical Press’s Celebrate Paranormal Month, here are the final links:



Oct 31: http://lyricalpress.com/2013/10/31/celebrate-paranormal-month-brynna-currys-claiming-ana/
Oct 31: http://lyricalpress.com/2013/10/31/scaretober-books/

Last night I was supposed to go to the HS football game, but the severe weather (rain, wind) pushed that game (which was supposed to be telecast by Fox Sports Ohio) to tonight. Should be a pleasant evening for football. If Wayne wins, they’re the division champs. Either way, they’re headed for the playoffs. Certainly not the way we envisioned the season. We thought we’d be lucky to win ONE game! Instead, we’re 8-1 going into the final game. It’s been an adventurous season. I hope we survive the playoffs!

So, have you ever watched an Elvis film? Think you'll ever go to Graceland?

Stacy

11 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

You are a published writer! You're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy. :)

Re: Graceland
The colors are so 60-70ish. I never decorated in such bright colors but I knew lots of friends who did.

Was that carpeting in the kitchen?!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Maria - Yep, carpeting. Didn't seem strange to me since the house I grew up in had carpeting in the kitchen. When my parents finally replaced it with tile, the dog had a fit, trying to get hold (I don't think he ever forgave them for replacing the carpet!). Sure was funny.

Jennette Marie Powell said...

Congrats on the review! Did your publisher send out lots of ARCs? Nice photos, too. If I ever make it to Graceland, it'll be like you, a what-the-heck side trip thing. Not sure I'd find it worth the $$ either, but who knows!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jennette - I have no idea how many ARCs my publisher sent out. I know they send out to a lot of review sites, but not WHEN, so it was a total (pleasant) surprise.

JeffO said...

Congrats, Stacy!

Impressive house. And yes, the 70's were a terrible time for style. I think I would have gotten vertigo in that billiard room.

Sandra Cox said...

Sounds like all kinds of fun! And congrats on the review! Wonderful

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jeff - Vertigo? Really? I didn't get that feeling at all. I thought it was cool.

Sandra - I'm always looking for fun!

The Happy Whisk said...

Congrats on ALL your hard work.

Jen B said...

Congrats on the review!

Graceland looks neat. The 70s was a pretty rocking time for decorators, I guess. lol.

Was the tour $37 each person? That sounds like a lot, but it allowed for some great photos.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Thanks, Ivy!

Jen - Yes, $37 per person. If you only wanted to see Graceland, it was $33. So for $4 bucks more, we saw the planes and other exhibits. Figured, why not!

Jen B said...

Ya, for only $4 more, I'd probably pick that option too.