Monday, December 28, 2015

Christmas, My Laptop, A Movie, and Big Sales


Ho ho ho! If you celebrated Christmas, I hope it was a good one for you. I was able to spend it with my kids and friends, which made it a good one. The presents were just a bonus! J

Hubby got me the watch I wanted (it has the Pittsburgh Penguins logo on the face). I had been wearing his huge Steelers watch since my old watch crapped out on me. It’s nice to have a smaller watch on again. And it’s really great to see the Penguins logo!

I mentioned earlier that my laptop was due to be delivered on Dec 31. Well, it arrived on the 24th. So guess what I did all weekend?

I really hate setting up a new computer. I sure hope I don’t have to do this again. I’m doing my best to like Windows 10, but they make it hard. At least I found out how to use Internet Explorer instead of Edge. I really do not like Edge. I can’t see my favorites like I can on IE. Plus, the right column of blogspot blogs jiggles on Edge. That pretty much sealed Edge’s fate right there, since it wasn’t happening on IE. The jiggling was driving my eyes nuts!

But I do like my new computer. The keyboard lights up and is more responsive when I type, plus now I can use my printer without having to turn the sucker off and on (it kept going off line on my old computer, as little as 5 minutes after I used it, too!). And the monitor is sharper, too. So sharp, the images and print on my AOL software is teeny tiny. I’ve tried messing with several settings to make it bigger, but it ruins everything else, so I’ll just have to get used to it (or use a magnifying glass). Maybe I’ll get lucky and AOL will upgrade soon for newer computers/monitors! I can only hope.

Best news, though… Word and Excel 2003 work on Windows 10! You don’t know how relieved I am that I don’t have to go looking for new software to write with. Okay, maybe you do. I’m sure you’re glad I’m not ranting about that, huh? Whew!

On Saturday I went and saw the new Star Wars movie. I could easily watch it again (and again and again). Great movie. I haven’t enjoyed one this much in quite awhile. I really am shocked that I haven’t read any spoilers about it, and super glad, too. Now I just have to watch what I say!

Last week I received my royalty statement from Kensington and just about fainted in shock. The statement covered the time My Sunny Vampire was offered for free for 30 days. Approximately 30,000 people downloaded it! Sure, I didn’t get any money for that, but then a little over 1,000 people bought it after the sale. Those sales made it possible for me to move from Provisional PAN (in RWA) to General PAN, which means I can be a voting member now. I really didn’t think it would happen this soon. Heck, I wasn’t sure it would ever happen with that book. Whoo hoo! Yeah, I was doing some happy dancing last week.

Now, if those 31,000 people would buy my other books… Gee, wouldn’t THAT be something!

I gave my daughter A Vampire Wedding to read, so I guess you can say I’m done with it for now. That means I can watch last season’s Gotham (daughter got it from the library and it’s due back on the 2nd) without any guilt. I’ll be glad to get caught up to this season.

So… Did you get the present you wanted this year? What was it?

Have a great Monday!


Stacy

13 comments:

JeffO said...

Glad you had such a nice Christmas, and woohoo for the laptop actually arriving early! I'm dreading the day when my current version of Word no longer works (I have to say, I don't even know which version it really is, but it really doesn't like working with newer stuff). My own computer is slowly crapping out; I'm trying to make it last as long as I can.

Great news about your book--hopefully some of those people will also post positive reviews and help push for more sales!

Maria Zannini said...

My computer keeps wanting to switch me to Windows 10 but I won't let it. I'm perfectly happy where it is now.

Here's to a great new year!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Jeff - I know how it feels when a good laptop starts failing. That's how I was with my Toshiba. I wouldn't have replaced it if it weren't for the fact the keys were sticking (made it hard to write!). I used that thing for nearly 6 years. I hope I feel the same about this one, and that it lasts way longer. :)

Maria - Windows 10 is free until July. I was holding out until then on my HP, until I went and got the Dell. I'm sure I'll get used to it in time, but don't be surprised if I grumble a lot. :)

B.E. Sanderson said...

You've been a busy gal these holidays. Yay for your new computer, you watch, and your royalty statement! Also yay for being able to watch your shows. =o)

Hubs and I got matching sweatshirts from my mom. I love new sweatshirts! So soft and fluffy.

Stephanie Faris said...

Congratulations on making it to the next step of PAN. That's awesome! And there's nothing as fun as getting a new computer...setting it up can be tough. I was glad mine came ready to go. I just had to download Office...but that didn't take long. I always use Google Chrome because once you sign in, all of your favorites and such are there.

The Happy Whisk said...

Wow on your sales and downloads. Very cool and yes, not having to use a new writing program is wonderful news.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Beth - Enjoy your warm sweatshirt is this wet and cold system.

Stephanie - Mine pretty much came ready to go. I just had to add Office 2003. Windows 10 comes with Edge, but I didn't like it. I'm not crazy about Chrome, either.

Ivy - I'm probably the only one who hates new software! Haha!

Bonnie said...

Woot woot! I'm so excited that you bumped up in Pan. Congrats.
I got a new laptop too. My boyfriend went and bought me an Apple. So I'm trying to learn how to use it and I have to buy MS Word which will be a new version that I have to learn. So I know how you feel.

Michael Seese said...

Congratulations on "a little over 1,000 people bought it after the sale." That's awesome.

And in case you had not heard, Windows 10 has this "feature" whereby it shares your wi-fi password (meaning the password to your home router) with your contacts. To disable, please read this: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2951824/windows/how-to-disable-windows-10s-wi-fi-sense-password-sharing.html (Or, just Google "Windows 10 wifi password sharing."

Stacy McKitrick said...

Bonnie - I looked at Apples and when I saw the keyboard didn't have a backspace key, said, "No way!" and continued looking at PCs. Hope that doesn't become an issue with you!

Michael - Thanks for the heads up on Windows 10. I had no idea. Of course, I don't even know all the crap Windows does anyway. I kind of leave that to my hubby, but even he didn't know about that.

Theresa Milstein said...

Congratulations on selling 1k. Hope it continues! Happy New Year.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Thanks, Theresa! :)

Erin Fanning said...

Many congratulations to you on your sales!