Informational Update on Buying Stocks

My great investment adventures in the stock market continues.  I am investing anywhere from $300 to $700 a month.  I consider this my retirement fund.

I really like the Disney stock (DIS).  It has been good to me.  My 14 shares have gained $444 since I starting purchasing them a year ago.  I bought my first 4 shares at $68, and an additional ten when DIS was around $75 a share.  It is currently about $110 and I think it will hover there a while.

I also was surprised how well my Rite Aide stock has done.  I bought it thinking it a good risk, and it has risen and made me a few dollars.  It is still cheap to get in at under $9 a share.  It doesn't pay dividends, but it has potential.

I also just purchased INN and have been happy with it. It is a dividend paying stock and my 40 shares have made me $5 in just 2 days.

I am really disappointed in my Real Goods (RGSE) stocks.  They reverse split, and that is never a good sign. This was a company I really believed in, but then the original company bought itself back out of the bigger company. This was the first stock I bought.  I used to own a 100 shares, but thanks to the reverse split I now own 5.  For me to make my money back, those 5 shares would need to be worth about $65 each. I just don't see that happening, so I am going to sell what I have at a loss and get out.  I figure it will be a good tax deduction.  Thankfully my Disney stock has made more than RGSE has lost me.

Canon Inc. has also be a decent stock to own.

My other investments are just hovering and haven't really cost or gained me anything (though some pay a dividend).

Since I'm not a day trader, but investing long haul for retirement, I have time to see if my so-so's go up.

Happy Investing!

Kirkus Review of Stubb, the Magic Pencil

After much waiting, I received Stubby, the Magic Pencil's review.  I found the review to be fair. Though, as most author's would wish, I would have preferred a more positive, book-selling review. The bit about the dark elements (which I consider mild), is personal taste. I think there are lot darker elements in Harry Potter and the whole series by Lemony Snicket, and those have sold well. 

Thus, I decided to publish my review (I did have the choice to archive it and not let anyone see it).

The grammar mistakes in the review are easily fixed on my end, especially in the Kindle version.

Anyway, here is the review.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/heather-hobson/stubby-magic-pencil/

Tips for Painting a Room

I just finished painting my living room!  The task proved lengthy than I thought. As always, I jumped in eagerly, and then after a couple of days was eager to be done.

I did figure out a couple of useful things though. The first one is that old towels make great tarps. They are heavy enough not to move very far when dragging ladders and foot stools over them, and they are very absorbent. They sure beat out the giant plastic tarps I bought that were hard to shift from area to area.

Secondly for some touch up on trim, my husband bought regular mini brushes from the hardware store. Upon first use they were shedding bits of fibers onto the painted wall. What worked well and didn't shed fiber were the little paintbrushes that came with the Easter egg kit I had. They were able to get into the smallest places too.

The other thing is to keep a wet rag handy, but I'm sure anyone who has painted before has figured this one out.

Happy painting!

Book Reader Magazine Interview

I have been blessed to have yet another interview for Stubby, the Magic Pencil and myself. The interview is in Book Reader Magazine.  Check it out.  Heather Hobson Interview

I must also add, that I was saddened to read about Leonard Nimoy's passing. As a science fiction fan, Mr. Nimoy's departure is a mournful one.  He will be missed.  LLAP.

Best Friends Animal Society Fundraiser!

One of my favorite charities, Best Friends Animal Society, is having a fundraiser and asking its past supporters, like me, to host a web page for fundraising. So I am!

Here's the link:
http://www.bestfriendsgive.org/HLewis6

I have been supporting Best Friends for about 20 years, and remember when they were named Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. One of the things I love about them is they help animals nobody else will, as well as do wildlife rehab. They support all types of animals including bird, dogs, cats, horses, and pigs.

They are located in Kanab, Utah. Though I have never visited there, I plan some day to do the volunteer vacation opportunity they have.

Check them out.

Another Newspaper Article on Stubby, the Magic Pencil

Just today I learned from a well-read friend that Stubby, the Magic Pencil was mentioned in the Eureka Time Standard.  The press release led to Stubby being included in the papers "Round Up" section.  I am pleased and very appreciative of all the support my book is receiving.

http://www.times-standard.com/lifestyle/20150110/local-author-roundup-part-2

In addition, the paperback version of Stubby is also now available on Amazon, as well as the Kindle Version. 

http://www.amazon.com/Stubby-Magic-Pencil-Heather-Hobson/dp/1312328371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421040128&sr=8-1&keywords=Heather+Hobson

Again, I thank everyone for the support of the publishing of my newest book.

Wonderful Vacation Aboard the Queen Mary!

Over my Christmas break I was fortunate to spend three wonderful days aboard the Queen Mary! In case you don't know, the Queen Mary has been docked in Long Beach since 1967 and is a floating hotel and museum.

I enjoyed walking about the ship, thinking about how I was walking the same decks that had once been walked by Winston Churchill, Bob Hope, and the Duke of Windsor, who abdicated his throne to marry Wallace Simpson.  Fred Astaire, Laurel and Hardy, as well as the Three Stooges all sailed aboard this vessel in her glory days.

While there, I took the audio tour (make sure you have at least 2 hours for this), spent more than 2 hours in the Princess Di exhibit (which had much more, including the lingerie of Wallace Simpson), climbed through the Scorpion Russian submarine, and took a two hour ghost tour.  I have found several "orbs" in my photos from the ghost tour.

Plus, while at the Queen Mary, there was an ice festival across the way where I got to slide down an ice slide, view ice sculptures, and listen to 1940's Christmas songs.

Enjoy the photos.

Ice Sculpture at Queen Mary Ice Kingdom

Ghost Tour-Orbs up near ceiling

Queen Mary at Night from Chill Event