Carol Andrews Enterprises

Wow! 2008 is almost gone and I am so grateful to be with you in this blog and in this endeavor called life.  Yes it gets crazy and seemingly overwhelming, but as I think of this season and the gift Christ is to each of us, I am humbled and very aware of how blessed I am, just to be me and have all of you in my life.  Thank you for all you have been to my son and I this year and we look forward to seeing more of you in 2009.

  For someone who has never had a cup of coffee in her life, I seem to live at Joe Beans Coffee House in Thomasville, NC.  For a while it was where I needed to go for internet access, but it quickly turned into the place I needed to be because something wonderful always happens there.  

I was there signing books, December 6th and was struck again by how much this place and the people who frequent it have helped me heal and grow.  I wouldn’t wish divorce on anyone, but should you face this or any crisis I wish for you a Joe Beans in your life. 

We’ve met here for Bible Study, business talks, music, laughter and tears.  While signing books it was quite apparent that each visit left me stronger and more able to stand on my own again. Thanks Marcia and everyone for the love and caring for both me and my son.

I even have another book signing coming up because of Joe Beans.  I’ll be at Lights and Lathers in High Point, Thursday, December 18th from 5-8pm. http://www.lightsandlathers.com

I’ll also be at Barnes and Noble at the Friendly Center in Greensboro on the Friday the 19th.  I’m having so much fun and feel so very blessed to be sharing this book and to see the emotion it brings out in people.  As I will say many times, thank you for caring enough to share your lives with me.

As authors we write books so that people will read them and yes it is a business.  But I am so humbled and grateful anytime someone opens the pages and a smile emerges or someone says they read my last book and are happy that Speckled Angels is out.

It’s pretty fitting that our first signing was in my Illustrator’s gallery space.  Please check her out at The Shoppes at Bethania Village.  I was overwhelmed and overjoyed by the reception we received.

Idalia Canter and me at Bethania Village signing

Still, it is about more than selling books.  It is very personal because writing, unlike anything else, reveals my innermost thoughts.  For students to pay rapt attention or someone to smile at the pictures or words is the biggest gift. 

I am both humbled and grateful because I know there is a connection.  I realize words matter and impact people.   I also realize it’s okay to take a risks and let someone else know what’s on your mind or in your heart.  

Speckled Angels has been out since early November and I have had several opportunities to share it and see reactions. 

Friendship School, Davidson County, NC

I take no credit for my God given talents and I don’t expect everyone to like what I write.  I just want you to know that I will never take your thoughtful notes and hugs and smiles for granted.  Thank you for supporting this book and for supporting me. 

 I love you, I appreciate you and I thank God for you. 

 Please check out our calendar because I love to thank people in person.

Be blessed.

c

When my son and I celebrated Thanksgiving Mass at the Catholic Church of St. Monica in Duluth, GA this year, Fr Jack challenged us all to give thanks for the ability to be thankful.

It is easy to be thankful when things are going well but to be thankful in all things is a greater challenge.  I am so thankful for all things this year.  My heart is saddened by world events like the attacks in India but I am still thankful to have a caring heart and to share that caring with my son.  May God be with you all this Holiday Season and may we all share a thankful thought with a neighbor.

c

It is an early Christmas for me! There is something awe inspiring when you take delivery of your books.  Thanks the Phase3 Communications of Greensboro,  I have these amazingly beautiful books.  Thanks Bonnie for taking me on and getting a product back to me that I am truly proud of!

I’ve already been able to share them with the lovely women of West Friendly Avenue Baptist Church.  I was invited to speak about faith.  Faith realized is what I felt; first because of being surrounded by these wonderful women of faith and second because of the reception Speckled Angels received.  Rosemary and Doris, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

It is also with great joy that we are filling pre-orders now and I thank God for each and every one of you who continue to make my faith journey with this book and my life so rich in spirit.

c

Nothing else to say.

  I read an email today about cake.  The gist was this: that separately the ingredients are awful, but combined you get this wonderful sweet treat.  The analogy is that God may teach us a series of bitter lessons but the combined outcome is something wonderful. 

  I can relate to that.  My wonderful outcome is this day is Speckled Angels.  I want the world to know about the beautiful story of acceptance.  Derrick hated his freckles.  Then he found out they are a gift from God.  What does he do?  What would you do?  I always question my actions and reactions in hopes that I am following the path God would have me lead.  I hope you enjoy my book and maybe let a friend or more know about it.

c

Talk about reasons to be grateful.  You have responded to Speckled Angels and you have responded to me going back into television. I didn’t know what to expect and am so thankful that the overwhelming response to two things so important to me is positive.  Huge thanks to my new friends and family at WFMY News2.  What a great 1st weekend.  Mostly because of people you don’t see. Carrie, George, Kelly, Raymond and Mark and Shane you are the best!  My on-air colleagues Jamie Baldwin and Robb Ellis (My Thriller dancer) helped me laugh at myself and be at ease.   Then there are Tracy McCain and Brian Formica.  These two are really ones to watch.  Lord knows they helped me through the computer maize and kept me laughing.  To everyone who called and wrote.  Thank you. If you missed any of the fun, please check us out on www.DigTriad.com.  I was tentative about going back after 6 years, but these are the folks that made it easy.  I am a new fan!

I also have to say, I came from an incredibly classy bunch at FOX8.  You are and always have been my biggest support group and so many of you called.  Thanks for helping me take new steps and loving me through them all. 

No question, I am so blessed and so appreciative.  I am back to book focus, today.  I plan to have Speckled Angels in my hands next week and I am so excited.  Keep the orders coming, I’ll get them to you as soon as humanly possible. Have a wonderfully blessed week.

I can’t wait for your comments.  The book is scheduled back by the first week in November and we will start shipping shortly after that.   I appreciate your continued prayer.

c

Thanks to Trish Perkins: www.TravelerTrish.com we are rolling along on the site. Without her, let’s just say I would continue to give new meaning to “a deer in the headlights!” Anyway, within a couple of days we’ll have a secure way for you to order your copy of Speckled Angels in time for Christmas.  Stay tuned.

c