What are the 9 Fundamentals for Professional Success?

My publisher, NorLights Press, is promoting me on their blog by sharing clues about the 9 Fundamentals
for Professional Success.

Here's Fundamental #4, with its clue:

Knowledge is essential in today’s business world.

Here’s the fourth clue: Curiosity and creativity are important elements of knowledge; they allow a person to take something that works, and shape it into a new and innovative creation that outperforms its previous incarnation. Technology has dramatically changed the way people communicate and do business. The Internet has not only breathed new life into the way we do business, it has also forced old and familiar traditions into retirement. The newer generations embrace different philosophies than the older generations do; the blending of the generations in the workplace creates a wonderful discordant harmony.

To learn what the other eight fundamentals are, complete with their own individual clues, visit:  http://bit.ly/g3Sya6

Why am I Stylish?

My blogging buddy, Bill Kirton, claims I'm deserving of the Stylish Blogger Award. I don't know what I did to earn this prestigious award but am grateful for any bit of promotion or notice. I do wish, however, that I had a cool picture on my website like he has on his website. (I suspect that if I were a guy, and a crime writer, his photo would do me quite well.)

Anyway, as a stylish blogger, I'm supposed to tell you 7 things about moi that you never knew. Coming up with 7 things you didn't know isn't tough (I do have a few secrets) but coming up with 7 interesting things you didn't know is another story. I'll give it my best shot:

1. I love Miss Piggy, Maxine, and sarcasm--which is at odds with my passive nature and sweet personality, but that's just how things go sometimes.
2. Until I went to school, my best friend was Jimmy. Do you think it matters that he was imaginary?
3. Me, the current owner of two canines (a lab mix and a German Shepherd mix) and past owner of two purebred Rottweilers, is afraid of dogs. Petrified is more like it if they're dogs I haven't formed a relationship with and they come running at me--even with their tails wagging.
4. I'm afraid of the dark. Especially outside the house and in the basement. When I take Delaney out for his nightly walk, I won't go more than 20 feet from the house ... and I always have my cell phone in my pocket.
5. I fully expect to hit the bestseller list someday. (Which one, you ask? I don't care!)
6. I hate wearing clothes and only do so to avoid being arrested and laughed at.
7. I am a firm believer that a woman's shoes and handbag should match. (And if she's wearing a belt, that should match, too.)

Two weeks without Internet Access

My best friend and I set out by car from Missoula, Montana on February 22nd and proceeded to drive 2,751 miles to North Attleboro, Massachusetts.

At 11 years old, my big, black dog served as protector and companion as we drove through 13 states in five 10-hour days. I learned two very important things about Delaney during the trip: (1) he doesn't care if I choose not to wear make-up in public (even though I desperately need it) and (2) like me, he actually prefers to drive without the radio on.

I'll be spending the next couple of months in Massachusetts with my family and have had a hectic two weeks. It's tough to answer e-mail, conduct business, and promote your books when you don't have Internet access on a regular basis.

Each of the motels I stayed at during my trek had wireless connections--so I was able to use my laptop to handle essential work--but not having access to my computer and the myriad files and the e-mail program I use was a pain. My computer is set up at my sister's house (where I'm living), but she doesn't have Internet access ... yet. We're getting that tomorrow.

In Montana, I wouldn't have had to wait a week for an appointment for the setup. Then again, although Montana has fewer than 1,000,000 people versus the nearly 7,000,000 people in Massachusetts, none of those people are my three kids, two granddaughters, sister, or father. I've greatly enjoyed seeing each of them this past week--whenever I want!

My parents and the four of us kids moved to Massachusetts when I was 11 years old. I lived here until 7 years ago when my husband and I moved to Montana. (For those of you with enquiring minds, that totals nearly 40 years.) Why, then, I'm wondering, do the people now have accents? Sure, when we first moved to MA from New York, I noticed the Boston in everyone's speech. Over time, however, the oddness of it disappeared. Well, now it's back!

And there are a LOT more people than I've become accustomed to and WAY MORE cars on the road than I recall from 7 short years ago. On the other hand, it's great to be able to share lunch with old friends (two women I worked with 30 years ago), hug my granddog, eat a home-cooked meal prepared by 81 year-old Dad, serve as chauffeur for my sister and son (who each had car “issues” this week), chat with my two adorable granddaughters (who each, in different ways, are so much like their wonderful mother), prepare for a trip to Boston to visit with my youngest daughter (who travelled to see me my first day here!), secure computer technical advice from my favorite son-in-law, and get acquainted with my future daughter-in-law.

I thought I’d be going nuts without Internet access and the ability to publish blog posts, Facebook comments, Tweets, and answer 100+ e-mails each day. Well, I’m not. (Then again, I have been periodically running out with the laptop to spots with wireless access. Good thing I like to drink A LOT of tea!)

Technology is great, but nothing beats family. What (or who) do YOU like better than your Internet access?